When it comes to buying accessories for your home, you probably think about the ethics of the production process before anything else. After all, these items are an important part of your house, something you see every single day, and a reflection of who you are as a person. There’s almost no occasion where the look and feel of your home isn’t noticed by others. That’s why when you buy something like an animal rug or any other kind of animal-based accessory, you want to make sure that it is ethically sourced first and foremost.
The importance of ethically sourced rugs
Much like the difference between fair trade and free trade coffee, ethical animal products are those that are sourced in a way that doesn’t harm the animal. Ethical rugs, for example, will be made from animal pelts that were sustainably sourced from animals that were slaughtered in a humane fashion after having lived a good life. Because ethical animal products are sustainably sourced, the demand for them is much higher than for products that are made from animals that were cruelly farmed and killed. Ethically sourced animal products are an investment in a better future. By choosing these products over ones that are produced without consideration for the animals themselves, you are taking a stand against the cruelty that is so embedded in the fashion and accessory industries.
How do you know if an animal rug is ethically sourced?
There are a few red flags that you can look out for when it comes to spotting an animal rug that was ethically sourced. First of all, consider the size of the rug. If it’s smaller than the size of your average living room rug, chances are it was made from the pelt of a small animal — like a rabbit, or even a goat. For example, if you’re buying a sheepskin rug, it will be significantly larger than a rabbit pelt rug.
Responsible ways to source animal rugs
Animal rugs can be sourced from a number of different animals, each one with its own characteristics and quirks. One of the most ethically sources animal hide, though, is sheepskin.
Sheepskin is perhaps the most common animal pelt used in home décor and accessories. Sheepskin rugs are warm and fluffy, and can provide a rustic and homely look to any room in your house. And although sheep are far too large to be kept as house pets, there is a relatively humane way to source sheepskin — shearing.
Animal products in the manufacturing process
When choosing an animal skin for your accessory, you might be wondering about the process of extracting the fur from the animal itself. Luckily, most of the time, the process is very humane — especially for smaller animals like rabbits. In fact, the process for manufacturing animal rugs from rabbits is very similar to the process for extracting wool from sheep. Basically, the rabbits are sheared, just like sheep, with the main difference being that rabbits are kept indoors and are generally healthier than sheep are.
Conclusion
Finally, when it comes to buying animal rugs, make sure to only buy from retailers that have a transparent sourcing policy, such as Hide Rugs. This way, you can be reasonably sure that the rugs you are buying are ethically sourced. And remember, animal rugs are not the only ethically sourced products that are useful for your home. Other accessories, like gloves and slippers, can also be ethically sourced. And the best part is that these ethically sourced products can be bought online. That way, you don’t have to worry about whether the product you’re buying is ethically sourced or not — you can check the label before you buy.
Click here to read our full Ethical Policy.