Have you ever owned a piece of clothing made of angora wool? I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't really know where angora wool came from until recently. Most of the wool I've been familiar with has come from sheep, goats, or camelids like alpacas. You can laugh at me if you want, but I only recently found out that angora wool comes from angora rabbits. I'm not a big wool person (too scratchy!), so I've never really thought about it.
I may not love wool, but the angora rabbits that provide it are some of the cutest rabbits I have ever seen.
I was, however, distraught to find out how inhumane the angora wool process can be. PETA recently investigated an angora wool farm and their videos are horrifying to behold. I won't go into too much gruesome detail, but please be careful if you purchase angora. Keep in mind that 90 percent of angora wool products are made in China where there isn't a penalty for animal abuse. Yet, even if the tag says "Made in America," the wool itself might have been harvested in China where the living conditions for these animals is just as cruel as their method of getting the fur.
Just look at these adorable fur balls! It makes you think twice about using angora wool products.
Yet, if you still like the texture, consider buying angora from cruelty-free angora rabbit farms where beautiful bunnies are treated with love and care. These ethical, humane artisan vendors include Ambika Friendly Furs.
Please SHARE these adorable photos!
Angora rabbits are one of the oldest domesticated rabbits and originated in Turkey.
The American Rabbit Breeders' Association (ARBA) recognizes four angora breeds: English, French, Giant, and Satin.
These docile creatures are also quite playful. They often enjoy the company of other angoras and have been known to play well with other animals.
These furry creatures need to be consistently groomed — it's encouraged to shear them at least every three months.
If the animals are not regularly groomed, the rabbits will groom themselves. However, doing so puts them at risk of digesting too much of their own wool, leading to a common problem of "wool block," which can be fatal.
Many major fashion labels and retailers, such as H&M, Calvin Klein, Izod, and Tommy Hilfiger, have removed angora products from their shelves after seeing the brutal techniques used in Chinese angora farms.
The angora rabbit's wool does not possess the same allergenic properties of many other animals, including other rabbits.
The average life expectancy of an angora rabbit is seven to twelve years.
Amazingly, angoras can be trained to respond to their name being called. Some angoras have even been trained to go to the bathroom in a specific area of a yard.
These animals were especially popular pets in 18th-century France.
If you think the angora might make an adorable pet, please consider how much care angora rabbits need. Their diet must be closely monitored, they must have ample space to exercise, and constant grooming is vital for their health.
Personally, I think angora fur (or fiber, as it's really called) looks better on rabbits than as a scarf.
Please SHARE these adorable rabbits.
