Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals facts for kids

The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, also known as the Fur-bearer Defenders or APFA, is a group that works to protect wild animals. They focus on animals that have fur, like beavers and foxes. Their main goal is to help these animals and encourage people to live peacefully with wildlife.

What is the Fur-bearer Defenders?

The Fur-bearer Defenders are an organization dedicated to animal welfare. They work to stop cruel practices related to the fur trade. They also help communities learn how to live alongside wild animals. This includes finding ways for humans and wildlife to share spaces safely.

How Did They Start?

The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals began in British Columbia, Canada. This was in 1944, during a time when people were thinking more about animal welfare. A leader named Ernest Winch helped start the group. At first, they wanted to find kinder ways to trap animals. Over time, their mission grew. They decided to work towards ending the fur trade in Canada completely.

What Do They Do Now?

Today, the Fur-bearer Defenders are involved in many important activities.

• They help communities investigate illegal trapping of animals. This ensures that wildlife laws are followed.
• They work to stop the import of dog and cat fur. This helps protect pets from being used for their fur.
• They assist cities and towns in coexisting with beavers. Beavers are important for the environment, and the group helps find solutions so they can live safely near people.

Helping Communities and Wildlife

The APFA believes in educating people about wildlife. Since 2011, they have hosted special events called "Living With Wildlife conferences." These conferences bring together people from different towns and cities. They share ideas on how to manage wildlife issues.

For example, a conference in Toronto, Ontario, in 2012 was very successful. Another event took place in Vancouver, BC, on September 20, 2013. These meetings help local leaders learn the best ways to protect animals.

Sharing Wildlife Stories: Defender Radio

In October 2013, the APFA started a weekly podcast called Defender Radio. A podcast is like a radio show you can listen to online. This podcast talks about many topics related to animals. It covers wildlife, the fur industry, and how people advocate for animals. It also shares scientific information about animal behavior and conservation.