Kitchener animal rights group protests fur and Canada Goose Jackets

Koala isn’t just the name of an animal. Fittingly it’s the name of a local animal rights group.

K.O.A.L.A is hoping we’ll hear more about them and their fur protests in the months to come.

The Kitchener Ontario Animal Liberation Alliance protested outside of the Channer’s clothing store in Uptown Waterloo on Saturday morning, carrying signs, some of them fairly graphic of coyotes stuck in fur traps.

Chants such as “Hey Channer’s what do you say, how many animals died today?” and “Fur trade? Death trade!” filled the cold January air.

K.O.A.L.A Organizer Malcolm Klimowicz and other members say they are going to continue actively protesting inhumane fur traps and Canada Goose Jackets, which use coyote fur.

“The animal’s legs get caught in the trap, it crushes their paw or leg, they could freeze to death, starve to death, bleed to death, they could be eaten by other predators,” says Klimowicz. “It could be a mother coyote going out for a walk who then can’t get back to her puppies so they die too.”

He adds that two thirds of animals caught in traps aren’t used for fur, as they aren’t in the proper condition or aren’t the intended animal, which could even sometimes end up being an unlucky house pet.

One member who chose to remain anonymous says Canadian Tire and Sport Chek have recently announced going cruelty-free, and they just want Channers to do the same.

“I definitely don’t want Channer’s to shut down, it’s a great store, there’s just no reason to be selling fur for fashion,” she says. “Because it’s cruel, we’re Canadians, we should be looking after our animals, not trapping them in leghole traps.”

The group later went to the Channer’s in London on Saturday afternoon to protest at its second location, and have hinted at several big events to come this year, including one the weekend after Victoria Day weekend.

A representative from Channer’s refused to comment on the record, but says the company respects K.O.A.L.A’s right to protest.