Posted September 22, 2011 by Christina
Think wool is harmless? Think again! Most of the world’s wool comes from Australia—and the most commonly raised sheep in that country are merinos, who are specifically bred to have wrinkly skin (which means more wool per animal).
This unnatural overload of wool causes many sheep to collapse and even die of heat exhaustion during hot months. The wrinkles collect urine and moisture, which attract flies and cause a maggot infestation known as “flystrike.” In a crude and cruel attempt to prevent flystrike, farmers mutilate lambs with “mulesing.”
Mulesing is a barbaric procedure in which Australian ranchers force live lambs onto their backs, restrain their legs between metal bars, and, sometimes without any painkillers whatsoever, carve huge chunks of skin off the animals’ backsides.
Many lambs who have undergone the mulesing mutilation still suffer slow, agonizing deaths from flystrike. The deep wounds from mulesing can also become infected. Even if they make it through flystrike and mulesing, many lambs are still sent to slaughter once their bodies are worn out and they stop producing as much wool.
Humane methods of flystrike control are available and in use by some farmers. Lambs can be spared maggot infestation through humane methods such as diet regulation, spray washing, and simply breeding types of sheep who are better suited for the Australian climate and less susceptible to flystrike.
How can you help? Purchase cruelty-free clothing, including cotton, cotton flannel, polyester fleece, and synthetic shearling. Oh, and now that you know—don’t forget to tell everyone you can about mulesing.
Thanks for having a <3 for sheep!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
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I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
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I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
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Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
262 days ago
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stop killing animals for clothing
482 days ago
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i dont understand why they do this though? what is the point? I just dont understand how someone could think this is even remotely okay?
599 days ago
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HOW SAD! POOR BABIESS<3
599 days ago
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I wonder how they’d like to have their skin shaved off? I surely would not like it.
602 days ago
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WTF! What should one do if they get their hands on wool? I know there’s a donation center or something but how do you get to it??
603 days ago
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WTH?!?! Horrible….
604 days ago
1
I hate wool… and meat… and the royal family (they’re annoying and kill animals)… etc etc etc
606 days ago
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wouldn’t the open wounds would attract more flies and therefore more maggots?
it’s so cruel…
poor sheep!
606 days ago
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wthhh?????
607 days ago
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thats horrible!