Tell California To Kick Out Kangaroo Leather

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Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site

California banned the sale of kangaroo leather in the 70s, but many athletic retailers still use kangaroo leather in products.

Tell California To Kick Out Kangaroo Leather

The kangaroo is a symbol of courage and boundless energy, of strength and leadership, and when carrying a pouch of joeys around the Australian outback, of adorable parenting.

However, kangaroos are also under threat from hunters who sell the animal hides to fashion houses to be used in shoes, bags, and more1.

California banned the sale of kangaroo leather in the 70s2 but some retailers are breaking this law, keeping kangaroo leather shoes and other products on tehir shelves3.

A Center for a Humane Economy investigation4 found widespread violations of California’s ban on the commerce of kangaroo-derived products, and a lack of enforcement of California Penal Code § 653o5. Officials from California Fish and Wildlife and other agencies are now taking action to increase compliance.

Major athletic clothing companies like Nike, Adidas, Asics, Lotto, Mizuno, New Balance, Puma and Umbro still rely on kangaroo leather for more than 65 models of soccer cleats, contributing to the killing of some 1.5 million kangaroos a year in Australia — the largest commercial hunt of terrestrial wildlife in the world6.

California’s ban on kangaroo leather applies to online and brick-and-mortar sales. Even though conservation groups have repeatedly contacted California state authorities about companies that skirt the law, no regulatory agencies have stepped up to enforce it7.

Kangaroos are at great risk, and more will be targeted, hunted down, and slaughtered for their hides.

This doesn’t have to happen.

Many synthetic alternatives to kangaroo leather exist, including sustainable plant-based options made out of mushrooms, apples, pineapples, and more8.

The European Union is considering a kangaroo products ban, facing pressure from citizens9.

Even the Australian government has strengthened protections for kangaroos over the years10, requiring higher standards in the slaughter of joeys11.

If Australia can take a stand for kangaroos, California has little excuse.

Sign the petition and help us tell the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and state prosecutors to enforce the ban on kangaroo products and respond with consequences for retailers who refuse to follow it.

More on this issue:

  1. Donny Moss, Their Turn (10 June 2022), "Animal Rights Activists Protest Nike Kangaroo Slaughter."
  2. Kangaroos at Risk (2015), "California & Kangaroos."
  3. Khaled Al Khawaldeh, The Guardian (23 Jun 2022), "Animal welfare groups sue US retailers allegedly selling banned kangaroo leather shoes."
  4. Center for a Humane Economy (2020), "Skin in the Game: An Investigation into the Illegal Trade of Kangaroo Parts in California."
  5. California Legislative Information (2019), "California Penal Code § 653o."
  6. Center for a Humane Economy (2020), "Taking a Closer Look at the Moral Fabric of Athletic Footwear."
  7. Elias Visontay, The Guardian (31 July 2020), "Nike and Puma flouting California ban on selling kangaroo leather goods, animal rights group claims."
  8. Jennifer Hahn, Dezeen (16 October 2020), "Six alternatives to animal leather made from plants and food waste."
  9. Calla Wahlquist, The Guardian (19 March 2022), "Why is the EU under pressure to ban kangaroo products and how will it affect Australia?"
  10. Rob Taylor, Reuters (2022), "Kangaroo killing code draws flak from animal groups."
  11. Jordan Sosnowski, Michigan State University College of Law, Animal Legal & Historical Center (2013), "Overview of Laws Governing Kangaroo Culling in Australia."

The Petition

To the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and state prosecutors,

The State of California banned the sale of kangaroo leather in 1971 under California Penal Code § 653o, but some retailers and are breaking this law, keeping kangaroo leather shoes and other products on their shelves.

Major athletic clothing companies like Nike, Adidas, Asics, Lotto, Mizuno, New Balance, Puma and Umbro still rely on kangaroo leather for more than 65 models of soccer cleats, contributing to the killing of some 1.5 million kangaroos a year in Australia — the largest commercial hunt of terrestrial.

Since the ban on kangaroo leather was first put in place, virtually no regulatory agencies have stepped up to enforce it.

Kangaroos are at great risk, and more will be targeted, hunted down, and slaughtered for their hides if action is not taken soon.

I implore you to enforce California Penal Code § 653o and punish those who continue to break the law by selling kangaroo leather products.

Sincerely,

DEV MODE ACTIVE. BRAND: gg