Without admitting that their treatment of geese and coyotes killed for their down and fur is inhumane, Canada Goose has agreed to remove claims from their website and other marketing materials “ensuring” that their suppliers of goose down and coyote fur were not abusing the animals.
The Canadian manufacturer of high-end winter clothing acted in response to a complaint filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which has for years demonstrated against and otherwise opposed the company’s animal sourcing policy. PETA’s complaint to the Federal Trade Commission led to an FTC investigation into Canada Goose advertising practices.
Actions Canada Goose took to satisfy the complaint included removing:
A statement alleging that its coyote fur (used to surround the hoods of its jackets) came only from regions with large populations of the animals where they sometimes attacked humans. PETA points out that Canada Goose trapping methods allow for coyotes to be left in traps for up to three days, injured and in pain; if still alive when found, the trappers commonly shoot, bludgeon, or otherwise kill them inhumanely.
A “down traceability” video that actually showed geese being treated cruelly. According to PETA, geese harvested for their warmth-insulating down inevitably end up at slaughterhouses, where they are often killed inhumanely while still conscious.
In closing down its investigation last June, the FTC did not disclose details but indicated it would not take enforcement action connected with its findings because Canada Goose had taken “prompt corrective action.”
Does this mean that Canada Goose is now sourcing its geese and coyotes more humanely? It says it does (https://www.canadagoose.com/ca/en/fur-and-down-policy/fur-and-down-policy.html). But PETA doesn’t agree (https://www.peta.org/blog/canada-goose-false-misleading-marketing/).
Before and since the FTC investigation, the company has stated on its website, “We believe all animals are entitled to humane treatment in life and death, and we are deeply committed to the ethical sourcing and responsible use of all animal materials in our products.” But according to PETA Director Elisa Allen, “Canada Goose has no right to claim transparency while concealing from customers that its standards are so lax that they would allow coyotes with lacerations and broken bones to languish in traps for days before trappers shoot them to death.”
