New Zealand Prime Minister Receives Animal-Friendly Twist on Traditional Baby Rug

Auckland – As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern prepares for the birth of her first child, PETA has sent her a gift that'll help her give the newborn a warm welcome: a faux-sheepskin baby rug.

As the group explains in an accompanying card, sheep suffer terribly in the production of the sheepskin rugs typically used in cribs, bassinets, playpens, or car seats – but faux sheepskin is soft, cosy, and far kinder to animals. A photo of PETA's gift is available here.

"A cruelty-free baby rug is a warm, wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of a compassionate life," says PETA Outreach and Partnerships Liaison Emily Rice. "PETA hopes this gift to Jacinda Ardern will inspire other parents to set a kind example by choosing cruelty-free items for their children."

Over the past few years, PETA and its affiliates have released wool-industry exposés recorded at facilities on three continents – in countries including Argentina, Australia, Chile, and the US.

Every single one revealed that sheep were mutilated and abused, including for so-called "responsibly sourced" wool on "sustainable" farms. In December 2016, for the first time in history, charges were laid against wool-industry workers for abusing sheep in Victoria. Shearers were caught punching sheep, stamping on them, and beating them with clippers.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.au.

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