Do You Sell Furs?

Fur is a unique material. Unlike wool or leather, once the hide dries out or breaks down, it cannot always be repaired in a way that makes it wearable again. I never want to send something meaningful to a landfill if there is a better option.

Every fur that comes in is checked carefully. I look for things like bald spots, cracking or dry pelts, strong odors, and loose lining or seams. Some coats are still beautiful and wearable. Others have reached the end of their life as clothing.

Before bringing a fur into the shop, there are a few things you can check at home.

Gently pinch the leather side inside the coat. If it feels stiff, cracks, or sounds crunchy, the coat is likely too dry to survive regular wear.

1. Lightly shake the coat. If fur comes out easily in your hand, that is a sign the pelt is deteriorating.

2. Smell the coat. Strong musty or storage odors are very difficult to remove from fur and often mean the piece was kept in damp or sealed conditions for too long.

3. Now for the less obvious one. Look closely where the fur meets the seams or lining. If you see something that looks like fine sawdust or tiny crumbs, this can be a sign of insect damage from fur beetles or moths. They feed on the leather side of the pelt and leave behind a powdery residue. Even if the coat still looks fine on the outside, this kind of damage usually means the structure of the fur has already been compromised.

If you notice any of these issues, the coat may no longer be suitable for resale as clothing. But that does not mean it has reached the end of its usefulness.

There are two main options.

The first is donation for repurposing. With permission, some furs can be donated directly to wildlife rehabilitation programs or animal sanctuaries. These groups use fur as bedding and comfort for injured or orphaned animals.

If you would like to handle donation yourself, here are a few organizations that accept real fur and provide instructions for shipping or drop off:

Cuddle Coatshttps://cuddlecoats.com

Born Free USA, Fur for the Animalshttps://www.bornfreeusa.org/campaigns/fur-trade/fur-for-the-animals

PETA Fur Donation Programhttps://www.peta.org/donate/ways-to-support-peta/gifts-of-property/donate-fur

You can also locate a wildlife rehabilitator near you through the Humane Society’s directory:https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/find-wildlife-rehabilitator

The second option is ethical reuse. Some fur can be repurposed for theater, education, or craft work rather than worn as clothing. Costume departments, schools, and artists often look for unusual materials for projects and displays.

My goal is always the same. Respect the original garment and handle it responsibly. Many of these coats were once expensive and often come with family history attached to them. Even when they can no longer be worn, they still deserve thoughtful handling.

If you are unsure about a fur’s condition and want to bring it into the shop, I am happy to answer questions or look it over.

Not every fur can be worn again, but many can still be useful. Our goal is to give these pieces a second life whenever possible, whether that is helping wildlife, supporting education, or becoming something new. Keeping them out of landfills is part of honoring what they once were.