Protect Canadian Wildlife and Communities
The Fur-Bearers is a non-partisan, registered Canadian charity founded in 1953 that protects fur-bearing animals through conservation, advocacy, research, and education. Fur-bearing animals are those wild species who are trapped and killed, or kept on fur farms and killed, for their pelts, which are sold into the commercial fur fashion trade.
The Fur-Bearers focusses on three major campaigns, each of which have various programs and tools.
The commercial fur fashion industry has deeply influenced the legislative framework in Canada, allowing for fur farming to continue despite clear welfare and public health issues, and trapping to continue despite clear opposition and danger to people and pets. We actively work to educate the public on these issues, prepare people to protect themselves and pets from traps, and utilize the legal system to challenge legislation and policies. Some of our recent work includes a Citizens Action Toolkit, professionally produced trap release videos for pet owners and veterinarians, a report (sent to members of the House of Commons) outlining the issues of fur farming and solutions to move forward, and, contributing to British Columbia’s ban on fur farmed mink.
From squirrels and chipmunks to coyotes and black bears, animals are doing their best to get by in a landscape constantly challenged by habitat fragmentation, urban sprawl and development, resource exploitation, and changing climates. The Fur-Bearers works with researchers, policymakers, and other experts to create and distribute resources that help communities coexist with wildlife.
Coexistence means finding a way to adapt, together, and create ways for everyone in the ecosystem to thrive. Our resources include educational tools like species-specific door hangers, geo-targeted messaging in areas of negative encounters, research and policy reports, tools for municipalities, and challenging the status quo. Some of our programs include BC’s Deadliest Communities for Black Bears, scholarships for training at the Beaver Institute, and profiling the issues caused by wildlife feeding.
The Fur-Bearers believe that education is key to creating sustainable change in Canada, to better the lives of fur-bearing animals, protect habitat, and allow residents to respectfully appreciate and live alongside healthy ecosystems. Our work in this field includes the development and distribution of an activity and colouring book to 800+ youth campers in British Columbia, which featured artwork from an Indigenous artist, our Defender Radio and the Switch podcasts (now in the 10th season), and scholarships to assist artists and researchers complete projects related to fur-bearing animals and their protection in Canada.
Your gift means that these programs will grow, thrive, and make effective, sustainable change for fur-bearing animals, ecosystems, and the benefit of all who share the landscape. As a registered charity, donations receive a Canadian charitable tax receipt, which can be used as a tax deduction. Monthly donors (our Defenders) are also treated to discounts from businesses who support our efforts, giveaways, early access to special events and content, and more.
Use the form below to send a tax deductible donation to protect fur-bearing animals across Canada, or set up a recurring donation. Cheques and money orders are also appreciated and receive tax receipts. Click here for our mailing address. If you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly eNewsletter but not donate, you can click here.
