Sheepskins vs. The Fur Industry

Are sheepskins a part of the fur industry? There are very real differences between the fur industry and the creation of sheepskin and shearling products. Here are just a few to note…

1. Sheep are never killed for their wool or their coats
   One of the most common questions I get asked is if the sheep get killed for their wool and the very simple answer is no, actually not ever. A sheep’s coat is not worth as much as a healthy sheep. Sheep are really only killed for their meat, and the sheepskin is a byproduct of the meat industry. The meat is actually far more valuable than the skin, and hence, the sheepskin is less valuable than a living healthy animal.
   
   

2. Demand for sheepskins doesn’t affect the demand for sheep
   It’s important to note that buying more sheepskin rugs does not equate to more sheep being killed. It equates to more incentive for the pelts to be used instead of being wasted. A sheepskin’s inherent value can only be brought out by doing the work it takes to tan it. As of 2016, it is estimated that only 1 in 200 sheepskins are tanned and the rest are thrown away.
   
   

3. The sheep is considered a respected sacrifice, not a frivolous killing
   We respect that for some, the death of animals is simply unacceptable. (In that case, I highly recommend absolutely beautiful pieces called “living rugs” made from felted wool during the sheeps’ lifetime). However, there are people who believe that animals can be raised with a great deal of love and care and can still be used at the end of their lives to feed and nurture others. And for those people, which includes the farmers that we work with, it’s honoring to both their work and the animal to use as much of it as possible and make the most of its sacrifice.
   
   

4. The goal is growth and sustainability
   This is not the same sentiment or outcome that fuels the fur industry, where animals can be killed frivolously for something “fashionable”. Killing animals for the price of their coat, can lead to the endangerment of a species, or entirely wipe them out. The farmers’ ultimate goal is exactly the opposite of this. It’s to consistently increase the population of their flocks to a sustainable size so they can harvest a small percentage at a time while ultimately providing continual growth and promoting health for the species. The more sheep there are, the better it is for the farmer. Again, this is the opposite of the fur industry where the more rare an animal is, the more value it can give to a fur trader.