EDITOR’S NOTE (11/24/13): It seems that the original article was removed. I’m not sure which parts Yahoo took issue with. My thinking is that if the sheepskin boots (UGGs or any brand) are a byproduct of the meat industry AND the animals are treated humanely, then there is not much of an issue (unless you’re veg or vegan, and then of course, you would avoid them). However, I’m not convinced that either are true. If anyone can prove that both are correct, I will gladly recant. Until then, I’m sticking with vegan UGG alternatives, like this one from Alternative Outfitters.
This is a really well written article about how UGGs are made with the actual skin of the sheep (not just the wool). So the sheep are killed, which makes UGGs no different from wearing fur. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian or carnivore makes no difference here. The sheep are not just being killed, they are also being treated inhumanely.
Plus, some of the imitation brands are using raccoon dog fur!
Don’t worry – there are no gory pics (except the tiny one you see here) unless you click on the videos (which I didn’t b/c I can’t handle it). Read the Yahoo article on UGGs here.
So don’t buy UGGs for holiday presents and let friends and family know the truth. I almost bought some recently because I had no idea. So glad I didn’t! I figured the wool was shaved humanely. Now I’m on the hunt for imitation UGGs – there have to be some that are animal friendly and not as ugly anyway! Anyone have any recommendations?
I have stopped buying uggs because of the cruelty! However, as my cruelty free ways/vegan ways have began only two years ago, I still have mine from many years ago (same with my leather goods). I feel conflicted because although I got them before I went cruelty free, I don’t want to use them, at the same time though I don’t want to waste them…I’m still trying to figure out what to do. Any advise for those of us with the same problem?
You know what Jen, it would be great to find a good cruelty free dupe of them and show them, so people can see that are options with quality and diversity!
UGGly…
https://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/store/ars/item/52560/purple-paw-slouch-boots?source=4-3044-1
I got some from here last year, a little bit different than this pair. They update styles pretty often, and purchases benefit animals in need.
This really upsets me!
that is just horrible..i watched some of the video.. those people will reap what they sow!! ppl like that are worthless in my opinion.. id rather clean toilets that pay 2 an hour than to have a job harming an animal..one life is just as precious as another. i dont care if it is a human or animal! that is just plain out cruelty and they deserve the same treatment! in my opinion.. if people are willing to hurt an INNOCENT animal.. they can do it to a child, or even an adult.. its like they enjoy torturing…ITS SICKENING!!!
that is just horrible..i watched some of the video.. those people will
reap what they sow!! ppl like that are worthless in my opinion.. id
rather clean toilets that pay $2 an hour or even a day, than to have a job harming an
animal.Granted, i’m not a vegetarian.. and i do eat a lot of meat. but i dont believe in killing an animal for just fur, or for one slab of meat… you do not waste…my family is big on hunting.. but they dont waste.. if they wont eat it.. they give it to someone who will…. they dont hunt just for sport.. they do it to feed their family..i strongly believe one life is just as precious as another. i dont care if it is a
human or animal! that is just plain out cruelty and they deserve the
same treatment! in my opinion.. if people are willing to hurt an
INNOCENT animal.. they can do it to a child, or even an adult.. its like
they enjoy torturing…ITS SICKENING!!!
The article on yahoo was removed because it was found to be “inaccurate and misleading”.
Do you not read the descriptions of items you purchase? Uggs are clearly advertised as sheepSKIN… that would be the skin of sheep. Don’t buy them if you don’t want, but don’t act so shocked as if you’ve been misled all these years. Nobody tried to mislead you. I;m baffled at your indignation here.
Kim – I think the point here is that most people have no idea UGGs are made from sheepskin. I have never purchased UGGs but was considering it prior to reading the article referenced above. When I went to the shoe retailer to purchase, I never noticed the word “skin” and even if I had, I most likely would have assumed it meant wool. My article was only meant to educate those who do care about the issue. If you’re not concerned, then by all means – do what you will. I’m not a tyrant – just trying to educate the people who are interested.
Well, my point is that if people don’t know what Uggs are made of, they obviously aren’t reading labels. Every pair of shoes sold is clearly marked with it’s material content, be it leather, snake skin, man made materials, or sheepskin. No, it’s not written on the wall of the store, but I for one always check the labels in shoes and clothing before I purchase.
Why would you assume that “skin” means wool? They are two different things. Skin is the fleshy covering of a person or animals body. Wool, hair or fur is the… well the fuzzy or hairy stuff. Please don’t tell me that you don’t know the difference between hair and skin.
I’m not trying to be insulting or argumentative.. just trying to educate those who are interested in basic body part terminology. 🙂
Hey love! I just read up a little more about Uggs. Yes the product is made from sheep skin and not just wool but it’s made from sheep skins coming from meat factories(These sheeps are going to be sold and eaten and are bred for just that.) The skin is bought from Australian factories that follow the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW), they are killed as humanely as possible before being skinned. These boots are NOT for vegans but for anyone else it shouldn’t make you feel guilty for wearing a product that only uses skins from factories that are already using as much of the sheep as possible. Uggs do no support animal cruelty.
I don’t know why people are so rattled by the sheep part of it all. Do you know where your leather shoes and boots and purses and belts come from? Cows. If you wear leather at all, why would you feel so strongly about killing sheep and not feel that way about killing cows? I’m just wondering, do the people who are so vehemently against wearing Uggs wear fake leather shoes? I do wear leather and since my Uggs are suede, I assumed they were made of sheep skin since they have sheep fur inside. That’s just common sense. I wear leather/suede because it lasts a very long time. I’d rather have boots that last years and years and not fill up the landfills with fake leather goods that you have to dispose of because they are frayed and worn after year or two. I have boots that are 10 years old and still look good.
There are plenty of imitations and wear just as well (or should I say, wear just as well with a good supported insole; no difference there to the genuine UGGS. Walgreens sells some really nice ones. I got two pairs last year and they are still in tacked for use this year. Another concept that I have adopted done when I buy inexpensive flat sole boots; I take them to the shoe maker and have him (or her) add a tire-rubber line bottom sole over the new sole. This gives great wear to an inexpensive boot, and actually makes the boot look a lot more expensive (Then again, they are more expensive, because there is an added cost factor. You can shop around for the shoemaker that charges the least for the addition. When I first did this; add an extra bottom sole, the shoemaker charged $25 for both pairs, but when I when a week later to pick up the two pairs; he charged me $50. I was so pissed off. Well, I only paid $5 for each pair of boots. I got to tell you that my imitation black, and the brown pair actually wear very well; so the added expense was worth it. None the less, that the total cost of the both sets of boots cost a total of $30 each, it was till worth it. I have gotten so many compliments on these Moccasin style boots, that now do not regret the deal. Make sure though that if you go with this alteration you insist on “Rubber soles; somewhat the texture of car tires. These soles last for ever; they do not wear down with ordinary wear as the soles that come with inexpensive soles.
Whoever wrote this is an idiot. Next time, have actual evidence instead of stating an opinion and adding a disturbing video. Here’s the article: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/u/UGG-Boots.htm#.Up4oy8RDs9Y
Wow. That is pretty gross. I’m glad that your shoes live longer than a living, breathing creature. Maybe you should watch what happens in those factories, might give you a little heart.
http://www.deckers.com/company/corporate-responsibility/animal-welfare
If you refer to whool bootsbut not Uggs. Ignorant people spread rumors.
G by Guess make beautiful Vegan UGG style boots that are also very affordable! I just got mine at Macy’s for $59.
Do you have a Youtube channel as well with this kind of content on it? I would love to see this post turned into a longer video if possible. Maybe I can share on it on my website.