This victory for birds flocking rules! After learning from PETA about the cruel ways birds are raised and killed for their feathers, fashion and accessories retailer Claire’s pledged to no longer buy feathers for its products.

Remember: Behind every feather accessory was an individual who lived in filth and didn’t want to die for a boa or a hair clip. PETA applauds Claire’s compassionate decision to get feathers off its shelves and urges Forever 21 to follow suit.

Feathers used for fashion may be torn by the fistful from terrified birds in excruciating pain or taken from ones who have been killed, often for their flesh or skin.

The feather industry helps prop up the meat industry because birds’ feathers can be sold at a higher price per pound than their flesh.

A PETA investigation into the largest ostrich-slaughter operations in the world revealed that workers forced frightened young birds into stalls where they were flipped upside down and electrically stunned, then slit their throats in full view of their flockmates. Ostriches are highly social, and those in nature can live in flocks of up to 100 members.

Peacocks are intelligent, curious individuals who communicate with their family and flock in complex ways. Peacock farms may hold as many as 10,000 birds in crowded conditions, and sickness and injuries are common. Demand from the fashion industry has spawned a black market for peacock feathers.

“Marabou” feathers seen on catwalks and red carpets are usually obtained from the poultry industry, which confines turkeys and chickens to tiny cages or filthy, crowded sheds for their entire lives and subjects them to tremendous suffering.

Want to Help Birds? Never Buy Feathers

Knowing that ostriches, peacocks, turkeys, geese, and other birds are forced to suffer immensely for fashion, innovative designers like Stella McCartney are increasingly choosing animal-free materials to create showstopping looks that replicate the lightness, movement, and warmth of feathers—without the cruelty.

Birds need their feathers—we don’t need to steal them. Stand with McCartney and other compassionate designers who are saying no to cruelty. Pledge never to buy or wear any clothing, accessories, or other items that are made with feathers:

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