For immediate release:
May 17, 2021
Contact:
Moira Collie 202-483-7382
San Francisco – After PETA shared its exposed alpaca wool, which shows crying alpacas were roughly shorn, cut and left to bleed from deep wounds to search for wool, with Williams-Sonoma, the household goods giant stopped buying alpaca wool for all of its brands that include Pottery Barn, West Elm, Mark and Graham, and Rejuvenation. PETA sends a box of delicious vegan chocolates to the seller as a token of gratitude.
“Alpacas cannot be thrown and tied to make blankets,” says PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. “Boring décor made of wrestling alpaca wool no longer exists – and Williams-Sonoma’s decision to ban it will help PETA propel the industry in a more favorable direction.”
A PETA investigation of the world’s largest private alpaca farm in Peru, Malkini, reveals that workers threw alpacas, some of whom were pregnant, on tables, tied them to a stretcher, and pulled them hard, nearly knocking their legs out of their sockets. In addition to these abuses, the production of alpaca wool is damaging the planet: according to the Higg Sustainability Index, alpaca wool is the second most damaging material for the environment.
Williams-Sonoma joins Overstock, UNIQLO, Valentino, Columbia Sportswear and ESPRIT in banning alpaca fleece. After negotiations with PETA, the company previously banned the sale of mohair in its stores, freed hotels from western elm fluff, and removed foie gras from recipes.
PETA – whose motto is in part that “the animals are not ours” – opposes arrogance, a worldview focused on human excellence. For more information please visit PETA.org or subscribe to the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram…