UGG Australia’s sheepskin

Animal friendly?

“UGG Australia wants to bring transparency to the sheepskin used in its products. UGG only selects suppliers who meet our strict standards of ethical sourcing, including animal welfare. UGG Australia only uses animal hides that are a by-product of another industry”. These are just some of the words that can be read on UGG Australia’s official webpage.

The sheepskin used on many UGG products, including the Classic boots, is real hide. However, unlike other hides from animals which are exclusively raised for their hide, sheep are NOT raised for their hide. Sheep are mainly raised for food and wool, thus sheepskin’s a by-product. In fact, when there was no demand, sheepskin was discarded as waste. The harnessing of sheepskin’s similar to leather, which is also a by-product of the food industry, which then gains a purpose.

UGG Australia leads the way to using humane practices for raising sheep. Ending the inhumane treatment of sheep and putting an end to the use of raccoon dogs’ fur are among the reasons why UGG Australia invests considerable resources into preventing the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit products. UGG asks its customers to help end this situation. Counterfeit products are usually made from hide that UGG doesn’t use, i.e. hide from sheep raised in inhumane conditions that may contain chemicals injurious to health. For example, the hide from raccoon dogs and other animals, which UGG Australia doesn’t use and never will, is used to make counterfeit UGG products.

UGG Australia also informs us that the hide used on its boots comes directly from tanneries and before it’s bought it’s imperative that its origins are verified. Its sheepskin comes from countries such as Australia, United States of America, Ireland, United Kingdom and Spain.

One of the reasons why sheepskin’s ONLY bought from said countries is because they follow the necessary standards that regulate the treatment of animals.

We know that the ideal would be to not have anything made from any part of an animal, but we also know that will never happen because leather products are of high quality and are in high demand. The least we can do is when we’re shopping to choose products or brands that respect the animals and the environment since they can’t stand up for themselves.

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