You've seen and heard about them every year, usually around this time when the weather gets unbearably cold. Coat drives help thousands of people stay warm throughout the winter. Now, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is putting its own twist on this traditional form of charity. It's called Coats for Cubs.

 

Coats for Cubs is part of the HSUS's Fur-Free Campaign, which is "working to end the killing of animals for fur and fur trim." The campaign's goal is to collect fur coats and other fur clothing materials and cut them up into suitable sizes for needy animals. This includes animals that have been orphaned, injured or fallen ill. The fur gives comfort and security to the abandoned animals, thus providing a safe environment for the animals to grow in. In some cases, the donated fur can act as a surrogate mother, providing warmth and comfort.

 

It began in 2005 and since then the program has started working with over 200 rehabilitation centers and helped thousands of raccoons, squirrels, rabbits and other animals. This program is the perfect way to get rid of fur coats that are no longer worn. While the fur coat drive officially ends April 22, the Humane Society accepts fur coats all year round. Rather than simply toss your fur clothing, perhaps the right thing to do is to give it back to its rightful owner, because let's face it, the animals need their fur coats much more than we do.  

 

Any person who is interested in donating can simply mail their fur coats to the Humane Society Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or drop them off at any Buffalo Exchange store, which are located throughout the country. Click here to find your closest Buffalo Exchange store.