June 5, 2019/ For Immediate Release
Priscilla Feral, President, Friends of Animals, 203 424-2120,/feral@friendsofanimals.org
Press inquiries, 203 424-2136/ 203 424-2125

NEW YORK — The televisions screens of New York City residents will go dark this week when Friends of Animals, an international nonprofit wildlife advocacy organization, airs its provocative ad spotlighting the atrocities of the fur industry.

The ad, created by Atlanta-based Chemistry, seeks to promote awareness of the cruelty involved in the use of fur for fashion from the animals’ points of view. With just a few words appearing on screen against a dark background along with the sounds of the animals killed for fur, the ad depicts their terror as their lives come to an end.
The ad is part of FoA’s campaign in support of Intro 1476, the council bill introduced by Speaker Corey Johnson that prohibits the sales of any fur apparel.

“Friends of Animals is acutely aware that our television ad to promote the ban of fur sales in New York City is disturbing and graphic—two words which we normally avoid in our advocacy to promote respect for animals,’’ said Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral. “Yet, many people, whether they’ve ever worn fur or not, know nothing about the lives of animals who become fur garments by either being trapped in the wild or electrocuted on a fur farm. We chose a direct and visceral campaign that is intended to appeal to basic humanity: most of us do not wish to inflict more violence and suffering into the world.

“Our ad serves as a powerful and poignant reminder—it’s the very heart of our message: if Friends of Animals doesn’t speak up for animals by allowing their suffering to be heard, the fur industry will,’’ she said.
FoA has joined with the FurFreeNYC coalition in support of this historic legislation. FoA’s ad can be viewed here.

Friends of Animals, an international animal protection organization founded in New York in 1957 and headquartered in Darien, CT, advocates for the rights of animals, free-living and domestic around the world. It has been a decades-long leader in the anti-fur movement. Friends of Animals is proud to be a woman-founded and led organization.