© Getty Images

You're looking for new kicks, and your mouth waters when you spot a pair of retro stripped sneaks. Rrar! Then you see "Genuine Leather" stamped on the soles and think to yourself:

a. I'll beg Mom and Dad for an advance on my allowance. I'll babysit around the clock. Whatever it takes. I must have those sneaks!
b. Whew! No fur lining!
c. I bet MooShoes.com has the same style in nonleather.

If you answered "a" or "b," read on for the skinny on animal skins. If you chose "c," you've probably already cleared the skins out of your closet or at least vowed to steer clear of new leather items.

Why buy "Byproducts" of Other Cruelty?
Millions of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats slaughtered for their skin are raised on factory farms. They're forced to suffer painful procedures, including being branded and having their tails cut off—without painkillers. Many animals live in filthy, crowded conditions their entire lives, and then they're packed into trucks for a terrifying ride to the slaughterhouse, where the "lucky" ones will be stunned before they're hoisted upside-down, bled to death, and skinned.

If you buy leather, you're helping cattle killers cash in on cruelty. Buying leather directly contributes to factory farms and slaughterhouses because skin is the most economically important byproduct of the meat industry.



Stuff Your Closet With Moo-Free Shoes
With PETA's free "Guide to Nonleather Products," you can find dozens of retailers offering nonleather shoes, jackets, gloves, sporting goods, bags, and other leather-free accessories. If you've got the moolah and the closet space our guide can help you become a skin-free shoe shopper.

For more information about leather and alternatives, write to PETA Literature, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510.