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  • Celebrate Endangered Species Day with SpiritHoods & Our Nonprofit Partners

    May 21, 2021 8 min read

    girl wearing faux fur hood sitting in grass with lemur

     

    It’s Friday, May 21, 2021, which can only mean one thing... It’s the SIXTEENTH annual Endangered Species Day—a day to celebrate, learn about, and take action to protect any threatened and/or endangered species on this planet. <3 We know you care as much about endangered animals and the issues surrounding animal extinction as we do, so we've put together some great information about our favorite fur friend organizations and how you can help.  

    Our Love for Animals

    In case you haven't noticed yet, animals mean the world to us. That’s why EVERYTHING we do is animal-inspired. While we’re known for designing luxuriously soft and stylish products and creating tons of fun content for you all to enjoy, at our core, we’re here to help endangered animals.

    For all of us here at SpiritHoods, EVERY DAY is endangered species day! We’re ALWAYS learning new things about wildlife and looking for additional ways we can help our fur friends stay safe. Besides, we enjoy learning fun facts and tidbits about wildlife that not everyone knows! 

    For example, did you know that an unmated male swallow may kill the nestlings of a nesting pair in an attempt to break the pair up and create an opportunity to mate with the female? And he often succeeds!! [SMH!] WILD right?! We are dedicated to learning all we can about these amazing creatures, especially those on or near the animal extinction list. 

    How SpiritHoods Helps Endangered Animals

    We’re always looking for ways we can help endangered animals and how we can improve the efforts we’re currently making. For instance, we work closely with our manufacturers to develop the best fiber faux fur while further minimizing our footprint. 

    In addition, we donate 10% of our net profits to a handful of nonprofit partners we work intimately with every year. We love the work our partners do to help spread awareness on the severity of animal extinction and how we can do our part to protect endangered species. But for us, it’s not just about fundraising and donations. They’re essential, yes, 100%! But we also look for opportunities to go above and beyond with our nonprofit partners. For instance, we love coordinating with our partners to create incredible messages about animal extinction, like this powerful photoshoot that champions animals rescued from the black market pet trade. We want to give a shout-out and send love to all the good folks over at Animal Tracks Inc. for helping make that happen! We also love releasing unique Limited Edition products with 10% of proceeds benefitting endangered animals, such as wild cats, around the world. (A very special thanks to our good friends at Panthera for all you do for wild cats everywhere!)

     

    Animals we represent at spirithoods

    Amazing Partners Doing Amazing Things to Save Endangered Species

    So, to help do our part to continue to spread the word about endangered species and the pressing issue of animal extinction, we want to highlight the fantastic work our partners do for endangered animals worldwide. We LOVE working with our nonprofit partners on this special day and every day. We hope that your passion will be ignited today, and you’ll join us in our mission to help end the threat of animal extinction.

    The select group of animal activists we work with do truly amazing work. Below is a list of the partners we support for their tireless efforts to bring help and awareness to endangered animals and the issues of animal extinction. We want to share a little bit about each of them, their work, and actionable ways YOU can join in and make a difference today! 

    Our incredible partners include:

    Pandas International

    Snow Leopard Conservancy

    Predator Defense

    Panthera

    Polar Bears International

    Animal Tracks Inc.

    Pawsitive Beginnings

    Panda International Logo

    Pandas International

    Pandas International's mission is to ensure the preservation and propagation of the endangered Giant Panda. 

    The organization provides:

    public awareness

    education

    support for research

    habitat preservation and enhancement

    assistance to Giant Panda Centers

    Pandas International's goals are to ensure that not one captive or wild panda is lost, that the endangered species propagates and thrives, and that their habitat is preserved responsibly and sustainably.

    We urge you to visit them and find out how you can help support their efforts to save these magnificent, endangered animals.

    PANDASINTERNATIONAL.ORG

    Snow Leopard Conservancy Logo

    Snow Leopard Conservancy

    Snow Leopard Conservancy was founded in 2000 by Dr. Rodney Jackson, a leading expert on snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and their habitat. Dr. Jackson was actually the first to successfully implement VHF radio collar technology to monitor and study snow leopards in the wild. 

    In the '80s, National Geographic did a cover story featuring Dr. Jackson as he tracked five cats in the wild. The study produced an extensive body of information. 

    The study examined:

    diet

    preferred habitat

    home range size

    abundance and density

    marking behaviors specific to snow leopards

    To Dr. Jackson, however, the real goal was to help local communities learn to coexist with this elusive predator. So Dr. Jackson teamed up with Darla Hillard to continue working with rural communities. The goal was to develop grassroots interventions, including predator-proofed corrals, Himalayan Homestays, and other economic incentives that would transform the snow leopard from a pest to a valuable asset in the eyes of these communities, keeping them safe from animal extinction.

    Today, the conservancy actively partners with local communities in Bhutan, India, Altai and Buryat Republics of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Nepal, and Pakistan. Their incredible efforts to spread knowledge and awareness to help this endangered species are why we love working with them.

    SNOWLEOPARDCONSERVANCY.ORG 

    Predator Defense Logo

    Predator Defense

    Predator Defense aims to protect native predators and end America’s war on wildlife. Established in 1990, Predator Defense (originally named the Cascade Wildlife Rescue) filled a critical need for predator species protection as well as predator rehabilitation.

    Between 1990 and 1994, the organization served two purposes before ultimately narrowing down its focus to what it is today. First, it provided quality rehabilitation for predators, including bears, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, and foxes. Secondly, it was an active voice for predator species protection.

    Over time, finding suitable release sites for rehabilitated endangered animals became incredibly difficult, and public management policies were failing to protect predators and their habitats. In addition, the rampant use of predator control methods (such as leg-hold traps, poisons, snares, aerial gunning, bounties, and designated hunting seasons) severely impacted existing populations. As a result, it became increasingly more difficult for rehabilitated endangered animals to have a second chance.

    In 1995, the organization closed its rehabilitation center and embarked on a new path—focusing its resources on protecting predator species more broadly. 

    Predator Defense is a national nonprofit advocacy organization funded primarily by member donations. They are a 501©(3), and all contributions are tax-deductible per IRS guidelines: FEIN #93-1028893.

    PREDATORDEFENSE.ORG

    Panthera Logo

    Panthera

    Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat endangered species and their ecosystems. Panthera develops and implements global strategies specifically for seven species of wild cats, utilizing the world's premier cat biologists' expertise.

    The 7 species of wild cats include:

    cheetahs

    leopards

    jaguars

    lions

    pumas (aka mountain lions or cougars)

    snow leopards

    tigers 

    Panthera also studies and protects the world’s most threatened endangered species of small cats through their Small Cats Program, doing their best to keep them off the animal extinction list. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, and governments around the globe. They also partner with citizens who want to help ensure a bright future for these endangered animals. They aim to help the wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend.

    Panthera works to protect the world’s 40 wild cat species because it is a winning strategy for conserving the ecosystems on which these cats and thousands of plant and animal species depend.

    The presence of wild cats (or, as Panthera likes to call them, our “landscape guardians”) indicates healthy, intact ecosystems that support all life, including people from all around the world. Panthera’s core programs focus on implementing conservation strategies for some of the world’s most imperiled large cats—tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, cheetahs, pumas, and leopards. Panthera’s scientists also implement conservation and research initiatives on many of the 31 smaller wild cat species around the globe. While their efforts are primarily focused on saving these endangered species, the impacts of their efforts reach far, far beyond.

    PANTHERA.ORG 

    Polar Bears International Logo

    Polar Bears International

    Polar Bears International (PBI) is the only organization on the planet dedicated solely to wild polar bears. Their mission is to conserve these beautiful, endangered animals and the sea ice they depend on. Made up of a small group of passionate conservationists, scientists, and volunteers, PBI exists to help secure a future for polar bears across the Arctic. Through media, science, and advocacy, PBI works to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection between this remote region and our global climate.

    PBI’s commitment to innovation, science, and technology fuels their day-to-day, but it’s hope that sustains their vision. They persevere through sheer drive and optimism. Collaborative by trait, PBI pushes to move beyond borders, silos, and bottom lines to prove the phenomenal impact we can have together as a global community.

    PBI’s story goes beyond the plight of the endangered animal because they know that humans are not opposed to the visible threats to our global ecosystem. The final act is unwritten, and PBI uses every resource available to facilitate action, combat the belief that it's too late, and unify the world into action.

    POLARBEARSINTERNATIONAL.ORG

     

    Animal Tracks Inc. Logo

    Animal Tracks Inc.

    Animal Tracks Inc. strives to educate the public through outreach and up-close animal encounters. In addition, they work to provide a safe and happy home for endangered animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitats. 

    The Animal Tracks Sanctuary is home to over 30 animal residents—many illegally sold on the black market. People who didn't understand how to care for these magnificent creatures were keeping them as exotic pets, often causing devastating consequences to the animals’ well-being.

    Today, these lovely animals get to live in habitats created just for them with proper nutrition, excellent health care, loving interaction, and the ability to roam the grounds. Find out how you can support their effort to secure a healthy future for these endangered animals.

    ANIMALTRACKSINC.ORG 

    Pawsitive Beginnings Logo

    Pawsitive Beginnings

    Located in Key Largo, Florida, Pawsitive Beginnings is the ONLY 501©(3) animal rescue in the Florida Keys that takes in foxes saved from the fur trade. Their mission is to educate the public on the unethical practice of fur farming and how we can ALL do our part to help make fur history.

    Pawsitive Beginnings provides a safe and happy home for the foxes they take in who have been rescued from torturous fur farms. Moreover, they do amazing things for animal rights activism, participating in various events, and even doing what they can to help spread powerful information to the general public on animal extinction, cruelty, and more.

    You can help by donating to their cause, sponsoring a fox, or sending them a gift from their Amazon Wishlist. As an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts/donations to Pawsitive Beginnings are tax-deductible.

    Pawsitive Beginnings maintains that the most significant thing people can do to protest the fur farms still operating today is to stop buying products that contain real fur/pelt. If the demand for real animal fur goes away, then the need to senselessly kill these beautiful, endangered animals will as well. <3

    You can take the pledge to live fur-free below. This link will take you to the Voters for Animal Rights website, where the pledge form is located.

    PAWSITIVEBEGINNINGS.ORG

    HAPPY ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!!

    Please help us celebrate this day and every day by joining forces with a partner. Help us spread the news and work together to help protect our endangered animal friends from animal extinction. Now go do something to help these animals, animals!