Seal Fur Quality Assurance

Seal Fur in Canada is subject to a wide-ranging system of laws, regulations, checks, and controls that prioritize the sustainability and welfare of different seal species. From the sealers harvesting on the ocean, to dressers and dyers, buyers, wholesalers, auction houses, importers and exporters, every single step of the trade is strictly controlled.

Ensuring population and environmental sustainability is focal to how seal fur is harvested.

Canada’s world-leading animal welfare standards, codes of practice, training and licensing programs ensure humane and professional harvesting and the highest quality products.

Many national and international conservation organizations have expressed their support of seal fur harvesting in Canada.

Dressing refers to the preservation of fur from its unprocessed state and dyeing refers to changing the color of the hairs of the fur. Both of these require physical and chemical processes and the fur sector has spent a great deal of time and effort working with these skilled professionals to find the best solutions for the customer, the product and the environment.

To be “Canadian Seal Products certified”, dressers and dyers must meet the following conditions:

PETA argues that seal fur is unnecessary, as there are “FAUX FUR” synthetic replacements which are often derived from a non-renewable resources (plastic). Recent studies have shown micro plastics in the oceans, in the food system and now ingested by humans- results from synthetic fabrics & furs.

Seal Fur is a natural, organic material, and like all such materials will quickly disintegrate and biodegrade unless preventive measures are taken. To prolong the life of fur garments, seal pelts first undergo a special tanning process known as “dressing”. This process protects the hair follicles and the fur, while preserving the skin, making it less likely to disintegrate and therefore more durable.

However, even this tanning process cannot prevent deterioration entirely, and the fur pelts will, in time, dry out and become brittle. But when the garment is properly cared for, this could take several decades.

Eventually, however, fur pelts will biodegrade just like any other organic material, and can even be turned into compost for your garden. For example, current scientific research has shown that a 4”x4” square of mink will decompose at the same rate as an oak leaf.  To demonstrate this, and also to compare the rate of degradation with that of fake fur made from petroleum, Truth About Fur conducted the Great Fur Burial experiment. The results were clear. After one year, the real fur had almost entirely biodegraded, while the fake fur remained intact.