Contre la fourrure et ses tortures votez, merci.très rapide.

 Votez

No way ou  I like the look of fur, but would only wear the fake kind. 

Merci. je ne sais pas qui va regarder ça mais  on perd, là.

Poll: Demand rising for fur, but would you wear it? (photos, video)

Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:01 AM     Updated: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:17 AM

By Maria Amante | The Grand Rapids Press
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Enlarge Katie Greene | MLive.com Kevin Syperda shows off two different types of coyotes in his fur shed Thursday, Jan. 5, in Pierson. Muskrat and mink pelt sales have become increasingly popular in the Great Lakes area to feed the Chinese market. (Katie Greene | The Grand Rapids Press) Sy's Fur Shed in Pierson gallery (11 photos)

  

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  Skinning and drying a muskrat Kevin Syperda is the owner of Sy’s Fur Shed in Pierson. Trappers sell him their catches, in turn, he skins and dries the animals to be made into fur. Watch video   

Fur is considered to be one of the most luxurious items a person can have -- it's the ultimate status symbol.

(View a New York Magazine slideshow of fur-wearers and why they love it.)

But it's also one of the most controversial items-- animal rights groups, like PETA-- are known for their opposition toward the item.

In Michigan, fur can be a lucrative hobby for trappers. As the Grand Rapids Press reported on Friday, Asian demand has increased the price for muskrat pelts.

"The Chinese can't get enough of them," said Kevin Syperda, owner of Sy's Fur Shed in Pierson.

Syperda said muskrats defy economics: They are in high supply and their
demand is high, yet the price for them is going up for the third
consecutive year.

A quality muskrat can fetch up to $10 dollars, Harold Wolters, of Hudsonville, said, but just four years ago, he could only get $3.50 a muskrat.

John Hayes, owner of Cascade Fur Salon, 6504 28th St. SE, said his
sales are “better than last year” and muskrat’s value comes from its
similarity to popular mink fur.

“It’s the coloring and the texture of it; it’s soft like mink,” he said. “It’s being sold overseas, like in China, they’re buying it. It’s a very popular fur for what you get for the price.”

It all begs the question: would you wear fur? Or, do you consider the methodology used to capture the animals to be cruel?  Vote in our poll below and sound off in the comments.

Would you wear fur?

Absolutely-- it's gorgeous and luxurious. No way-- the way the animals are treated in order to make it is horrifying. I like the look of fur, but would only wear the fake kind. I don't care. 

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