I haven't been working with wool since I went vegan... it makes me think too much about the treatment of the animals, etc. But I've been thinking lately about certain projects I'd really love to use it for - being a natural animal fiber it works much better than anything else for some applications. I'm looking into finding a small-scale, local producer. Someone who has few animals and treats them especially well. I'm only going to buy if I can find someone who will allow me to tour their facilities and answer my questions about their production process. (And, of course, if the answers they provide put my concerns to rest) I'm curious what my fellow vegans think of this plan. Also, when I get to the touring/questioning, if you have any suggestions of what to concentrate on. So far I'm concerned with learning about: the overall living conditions of the animals; the annual timing of the shearing; castration/medical practices; treatment of newborn, lactating, or elderly animals; any potential ties to the meat or dairy industry. Am I forgetting anything? Also, if anyone has already been through this and has a reliable supplier of non-cruelty wool, or came to the conclusion that such a thing is impossible, I'd appreciate whatever info you can share. Are there farms that only "harvest" wool that has been naturally shed? Probably wishful thinking on my part, but I'll still look around!
I am pretty sure it is possible to harvest wool in a kind and gentle way, and it's probably a service to sheep in hot weather to sheer them. It's definatley a very natural fabric, and alpaca is also great to look into also. I know that adidas uses wool from sheep that are shipped in dark crates for week at a time from Australia, so it's defiinatley not all cruelty-free, but I'm sure some good stuff exists out there.
I thought of alpaca, too, since they are expensive, they get treated well (so far). Ask what happens to the babies and all that jazz. I recall Samoyed owners carding and spinning the shed/brushings of their dogs, too. with no wet dog odor after processing. there's always secondhand/vintage remakes.
Maybe some place like this? http://insheepsclothing.com.au/index.htm As far as I can see, they only sell wool garments, but perhaps you could buy just wool? One of the owners of this farm spoke on a forum I use after an article about the farm was aired on landline. http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s1977599.htm I realise you couldn't visit this farm, but it does seem about as cruelty free as it can get if you want to use wool.
On my course we have to follow the sheep year. Today we wormed them and cut the nails if they had foot rot (eugh their feet were full of maggots). Well on the college farm they are treated good as far as i can tell. Yes they castrate and tie their tails off when young but that's life. As far as any ties to the meat industry.. As far as i know almost all sheep are kept primarily for their meat. Our teacher said that their wool is of hardly any value at all, and is more a by-product of the lamb/mutton business.
Not here, wool is one of our main industries and I am disgusted with the Australian wool practices. Mulesing is only needed because they chose to rear Sheep who were not made for our country. The shipping of ship is also deplorable. The company I directed Hummblebee to is a small company with around a hundred sheep. They do castrate, but the sheep are allowed to live out their natural lives. One of the owners has been a vegetarian for 50 years. As I said, the best you can hope for if you want to use wool.
Well if you are using wool, it is by definition, not vegan. However, if these people are keeping the animal as "pets", and they aren't being used for meat, are not being kept in crap conditions, are not harmed in any way.. There's a problem, still. Using animal products perpetuates the idea that animals are here for us to use. Any time you view an animal as a commodity, there is bound to be some form of maltreatment or exploitation. This being said, I wouldn't find it unethical to make a sweater out of my cat's (brushed) fur. It's a fine line. The only way to really know is to go to the place yourself, and ask a lot of questions. Good luck!
I don't know how much my response counts because I have always been what you'd call the struggling vegan....I carry a leather purse(which I'm soon replacing), , have leather car seats and eat graham crackers...Anyway, I love wool. It's so cold here in NJ during the fall/winter and wool items are a saving grace! Also, it's my understanding that the sheep isn't harmed.
