Shannon Keith

Powerful Animal Rights Attorney, Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, and Compassionate Founder of the Non-Profit- Animal Rescue Media Organization (ARME)!

by Julia Szabo
Photo by Maxim Maximov

There are so many hot topics for dog lovers to worry about, from breed-specific legislation to breaking news on K9 cancer. Should we even get involved in the anti-fur de ­bate? Absolutely, and Shannon Keith, who started her own production company called Uncaged Films knows why. Her excellent new documentary Skin Trade shines a bold spotlight on the cruel fur industry. So, why should you care? Because fur isn't just harvested from minks, foxes, baby seals, and other innocent wildlife. Tragically, domestic animals we consider beloved pets and best friends are being exploited for their pelts too.

In China, dogs and cats are farmed, crammed in too-small cages, and skinned alive"”yes, you read right, alive"”for their fur. With a shrug, Chi ­nese fur farmers claim it's easier to skin a warm animal than a dead one. Canine fur is then export ­ed all over the world, in ­cluding the United States, where it's used in apparel manufacture. These rev ­elations are disgusting enough, but there's more: In an attempt to prevent customers from feeling buyer's remorse, retailers will label dog-fur items "faux," assuring customers that the animals were "hu ­manely euthanized." But there's nothing humane about fur, and American dog lovers need to know that this cruel industry is perpetuating a frightening fraud, killing the species we hold most dear.    

Keith is an attorney and animal rescuer (her non-profit, ARME, is an acronym for Animal Rescue, Media, and Education, and all proceeds from her films are donated back to ARME). Instead of preaching, Keith's films-her first was Behind the Mask"”invite us to come along as she learns about cruelty to ani ­mals. Skin Trade will leave a mark on you, and it might just turn you into an anti-fur activist.

I know what you're thinking: I can't watch. But you can, I promise. As up ­setting as its topic is, this film man ­ages to be surprisingly watchable, even at times"”dare I say it?"”downright entertaining. Skin Trade is true edu ­tainment. Its important message comes across in the most enjoyable way possible, with kick-ass music created espe ­cially for the film by The Faded's Gene Blalock, plus animation that recalls Bambi, except mother and baby are reunited. You will cry at this movie, yes, but you'll also find yourself getting angry enough to do something"”and laughing out loud to see woefully un ­hip "fashionistas" twirling about in the fur retailer's shop, gushing about how "glamorous" they feel.

The late, great fashion designer Franco Moschino said it best: "Fur is worn by beautiful animals and ugly people." Kudos to Shannon Keith for her brave, important contribution to global animal welfare. Skin Trade deserves a place in every dog lover's DVD library.

For more information about Skin Trade, or to make a donation to Arme, visit www.skintradethemovie.com or uncaged films at: www.uncagedfilms.com