Cuddle Coats
From All-Creatures.org Animal Rights Activism Articles Archive

FROM

Cuddle Coats / Animal Rights Coalition - Minneapolis
March 2018

Cuddle Coats uses your donated furs to offer comfort, warmth, and rehabilitation to injured and orphaned animals before their release into the wild.

"I decided to turn in my fur coat to Cuddle Coats because after I found out about the hideous cruelty to the small fur-bearers, I didn't want to be part of such cruelty anymore. I don't need a fur coat, but the animals need theirs to live." - Barbara S.

As a hip and compassionate consumer, you know that fur is an outdated and cruel fashion trend, but what do you do with your old fur coats and other fur products? Give them back to the animals!

Donate to Cuddle Coats and you can help save a life.

"No one in the world needs a mink coat but a mink." - Murray Banks

Through our partner organizations, Cuddle Coats uses your donated furs to offer comfort, warmth, and rehabilitation to injured and orphaned animals before their release into the wild. That's right, the fur that was once brutally taken from animals can now be used as a source of care and compassion. Please read on for more information on how you can make a difference in the lives of animals.

Perhaps you're wondering just how fur is used to help ill and orphaned animals. First, we must say that the fur trade is an industry that must come to an end. However, there are furs currently in existence that waste away in attics or make otherwise fabulous people look completely out of date and inhumane. Donating fur for wildlife rehabilitation can partially counteract the cruelty of previously purchased fur coats and accessories.

The process is simple. You make a tax-deductible donation of your unwanted fur items to the Cuddle Coats program. You may either drop your furs off at our store or at one of our affiliate's locations. From there, your furs are sent to one of our partners, where they will be used to help rehabilitate wildlife.
During the rehabilitation process of animals such as raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks, contact with humans must be kept to a minimum. Fur helps establish a nurturing and soothing environment for these animals when one-on-one contact is not advisable.

Think of the fur as a surrogate parent. For example, The Wildcat Sanctuary uses them in their infirmary for sick cats to cuddle with as they start on the road to wellness. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release may use them to line the nests of baby animals who like to burrow and snuggle into the soothing fur.

Who Can Donate

The short answer here is anyone who wants to. Individuals who no longer want their furs or who have inherited unwanted furs may use their furs to help orphaned and injured wildlife. We will also accept donations from retailers.

Please note: we can only accept real fur items.

How to Donate

If you are in the Twin Cities area, you can drop off furs at our office, located at:

Animal Rights Coalition
317 West 48th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55419

You may also take your furs to any of OUR AFFILIATES' LOCATIONS and drop them off there. Be sure to tell them that your furs are for the Cuddle Coats Program.

Please consider making a $5 or $10 donation with your fur donation. This helps with the shipping of the furs.

To receive your tax-deductible receipt in a timely manner, please provide your email address when making a fur donation. We would be happy to send you an electronic copy of your receipt.

Please refrain from sending any fur pieces that have been treated with mothballs.

Regardless of your location, you can mail in your fur items to the address above.

Be sure to include your mailing address on a slip of paper so that we can send you a tax receipt. If you're coming right to our office, we can fill one out for you there.

If you want to itemize deductions, you may claim the fair market value of your donation. This means you can deduct the amount for which you could sell the fur today, not the original purchase price. This estimation is your responsibility and you need to consider the type of fur as well as its condition. If you claim the value of the fur at $5,000 or more, the IRS will require a Qualified Appraisal. You must have this appraisal performed before you donate the fur. It is prudent to make copies of the letter we send you acknowledging your donation and include one with your tax returns. If you have any questions, we recommend you consult a tax attorney.

Thank you!

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