How to make sure 'faux fur' is really fake

I get a lot of e-mails to videos depicting deplorable animal conditions. I don't share most because while I believe in combating animal abuse, I don't believe in bombarding people with graphic images to make a point.

But after receiving several e-mails recently about real dog fur stripped from dogs in China while they're still alive being advertised as "faux fur" in retail stores, I figured it was time to share so we can all shop wisely. That way none of use will unknowingly support this deplorable practice while shopping for a winter coat or sweater.

This is not a new issue, but it isn't a well known one. Macy's and Burlington Coat Factory both came under fire in 2006, when the Humane Society of the United States discovered the stores were selling products advertised as "faux fur," when the fur trim actually came from dogs in China that had been skinned alive.

Apparently there is a loophole in industry regulations that do not require garments with fur trim to specify if the fur is real or fake. The HSUS suggests three tests that consumers can use to see if the "faux fur" is really fake. The easiest way to tell is to pull the hairs apart so you can see the base of the material. If you see threadwork backing, then it is fake fur. If you see a smooth leather or skin surface, then it's real fur. The skin is usually white or tan but can be a different color if the fur has been dyed. Click here to read more about how to spot the difference.