RCMP Hats

Every year, 6,000 to 9,000 muskrats are killed to adorn the regulation hats, a part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) winter uniform. Muskrat fur is also used on the winter hats of the Canadian Armed Forces and black bear fur continues to be worn by the ceremonial guard and several UK regiments.

  The main goals of our RCMP anti-fur campaign is to:

a) end the use of fur on the RCMP and on other Canadian government uniforms
b) raise awareness about cruel wildlife trapping

Summary:

For several years, The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals has been asking the RCMP to replace the cosmetic fur trim on their winter uniform hat with a synthetic and/or natural alternative.

The Director of the Uniform and Equipment Program for the RCMP, Guy Rochette, Supt., claims the use of fur is important for health and safety reasons. Rochette says, “I can assure you that the RCMP is well aware of public opinion on the use of fur and is taking this into serious consideration. (But) At the end of the day, the health and safety requirements of our members remains our number one priority – and there will be no compromise." (Jan. 2009)

Cruel Steel Traps

Each RCMP winter hat requires 2-3 muskrats and each year approximately 3,000 hats are issued to new officers. This winter (2011-2012) 1,000 fur-trimmed caps were purchased for $65,000 for the guards of honour of the Canadian Forces.

To kill muskrats, leg-hold or Conibear or traps are often used. The "Stop Loss" leg-hold trap was created specifically for muskrats. This trap has an extra metal spring which slams onto the muskrats body, pinning him/her away from their trapped limb. This prevents the muskrats from chewing off their own limb, which many will do in an effort to escape.

Often, trapped muskrats drown. Drowning muskrats are conscious and experience all of the pain and distress associated with drowning (Ludders, Schmidt, Dein, and Klein, 1999). These deaths are deemed inhumane and unacceptable by The Canadian, American and World Veterinary Medical Associations.

Please help. Tell the RCMP that you care about wildlife and ask them to go fur-free! Sign the petition!

Go further and write a personal letter to:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Guy Rochette
Director, Uniform and Equipment Program
440 Coventry Road, Room 104
Ottawa, ON 
KlA 0R2

Telephone: 613-993-9886
Fax: 613-993-7359
Or contact them using their online form here.

UPDATE - RCMP WANTS TO KILL COYOTES TOO:

RCMP wants to kill coyotes to use on the RCMP uniform








Source(s):
Various correspondence with Director of the Uniform and Equipment Program for the RCMP.