Ducks and geese used for down suffer immensely. Tell companies to ditch the cruelly obtained material.

Force-feeding is an agonizing process during which tubes are rammed down birds’ throats in order to pump corn mush into their stomachs until their livers swell to as much as 10 times their normal size. The diseased livers are sold as foie gras. Foie gras producers boost their profits by selling the feathers of the force-fed birds.

PETA and PETA Asia have investigated live-pluck operations that supply down to clothing companies. Eyewitnesses saw workers rip geese’s feathers out—leaving open, bloody wounds—while the birds were fully conscious. Many struggled and screamed in terror as their feathers were torn out, while others froze, paralyzed with fear.

Some companies claim that they don’t use down from live-plucked birds, but it’s nearly impossible to track feathers to their original supplier. In addition, birds who aren’t plucked alive or force-fed still spend their entire lives in crowded, filthy conditions on factory farms before being killed in a violent, painful way.

The vast majority of birds used for down endure a lifetime of misery. When they’re finally sent to slaughter, their throats are slit—often while they’re still fully conscious—and many are scalded to death in defeathering tanks. Regardless of whether they’re force-fed or live-plucked, all birds used for down are eventually killed in a terrifying way.

Urge Volcom to stop selling down. Once you take this first action, a different action alert urging another retailer to stop selling down will appear. Each time you click “Take Action,” a letter will be sent to another company that’s profiting from abused birds.

 

1 of 4

Join PETA in Demanding That RH Stop Selling Down

Subject

Message

I appreciate that RH offers a down alternative for nearly all its bedding and upholstery, but I’m disappointed that it continues to sell real down and feathers even after seeing footage from PETA’s nine exposés of the down industry, which have all proved that intense suffering, unsanitary conditions, and horrific violence and killing are what the down industry is all about—including at “responsible” facilities. Compassionate customers want to avoid down in decorative pillows or sofas, and your company describes its own down alternative as the “lightest, loftiest and most natural-feeling” material of its kind. All down comes from ducks and geese who are eventually killed in a violent, painful way. They’re often picked up by their necks, wings, or feet and stuffed into crates for a grueling journey through all weather extremes to the slaughterhouse. There, many of them are inadequately stunned before their throats are cut, so they’re still conscious when they’re dumped into defeathering tanks full of scalding-hot water. The luxury sector is turning its back on the use of cruelly obtained feathers: SMCP has banned them from its clothing companies, and new feathers will no longer reach the stages of Copenhagen and Melbourne fashion weeks, demonstrating a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. It’s time for RH to stop supporting cruelty to birds by banning down completely. Thank you.

All fields in bold are mandatory.

First name

Last name

E-Mail Address

Get texts & occasional phone calls for Action Alerts, local events, & other updates to help animals with PETA! (optional)

  By clicking, you agree to receive automated texts and calls from PETA and accept our terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. U.S. mobile users only. You can opt-out anytime.

Sign me up for the following e-mail:

Membership UpdatesPETA News

Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mails unless you explicitly opt out here.

View Message +

Processing…

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.