What to do with those dated furs?

For some people, wearing clothing made of fur is the ultimate act of insensitivity. That stance, in turn, leaves those of us with fur coats moldering in our closets – in my case, cowering, the poor sad thing – scratching our heads over what to do with those furs.

The Humane Society of the United States, based in Washington, D.C., has this suggestion – donate unwanted fur coats to the HSUS and that agency will supply them to animal rehabilitators for use as bedding and nesting materials. The HSUS accepts all fur and fur-trimmed garments and accessories, including hats, gloves, scarves and muffs. Shearling also is accepted. Fur coat donations are tax deductible.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea. I wouldn’t say no if someone wanted to donate a fur coat for my work,” said James Costelloe of Hampden, who holds a state permit to rehabilitate small mammals. In the past eight years he has cared for rabbits, raccoons, muskrats, bats, porcupines and other woodland critters. Some of the creatures he helps are injured, others are babies whose mothers have disappeared.

The peak season for injured and orphaned animals is April-May, Costelloe said, and during that time he seeks volunteers to help with the work.

Ann Rivers, director of Acadia Wildlife Foundation in Bar Harbor, said she has heard of the HSUS donated fur coat program, but she does not participate.

“I worry about exposing animals to the chemicals used in processing the pelts,” she said. Young animals without mothers, she said, have an uphill battle. The mortality rate can be high. She fears that exposure to possible trace chemicals in the unwanted furs might harm the baby animals.

The wildlife foundation rehabilitates all species of animals, including birds and reptiles. During the spring and summer season as many as 200 animals may receive care and may stay three to eight months.

“Babies that have been separated from their parents,” Rivers said, “are easy to return to their parents.” Humans, she stressed, should not attempt to pick up or ‘rescue’ animal babies whose mothers aren’t around. The mother may have been scared off when people came wandering by and may return later.

To learn more about Costello’s work with animals, to volunteer or to donate a fur coat, call 862-4360.

To obtain information about the Acadia Wildlife Foundation and its rehabilitation program, call 288-4360.

To learn more about the Humane Society of the United States visit the Web at www.hsus.org, call (202) 452-1100, or write Fur-Free Century, The HSUS, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Snippets

A reader in Houlton has McCall’s Needlework and Crafts magazines dating from the 1960s-1970s to donate to an individual or agency. Call her at 532-3883.

The Fabric Garden, 167 Lakewood Road in Madison, is offering a class in stained glass quilting from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, April 19 and 26. The class is designed for advanced level quilters. To learn more about the class, call 474-9628.

A knit-in and spin-in will be held 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Purple Fleece, School Street, Stockton Springs. Starting April 10, Purple Fleece will hold a knit-in and spin-in from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. To learn more, call Deborah Bergman at 323-1871.

The Ships Project, which knits and sews for U.S. troops, has distributed 41,544 handmade items. Also, the Wyeth Personal Care Products company donated 5,000 Chapsticks for the Ships Project to distribute to U.S. troops beset by desert conditions in Iraq. To obtain information, visit the Web at www.wtv-zone.com/kjsb/bataan/html.

Ardeana Hamlin may be reached at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.