Ann Rivers of the Acadia Wildlife Foundation raises concerns about using recycled furs to help the animals she rehabilitates (BDN, April 8). The Humane Society of the United States has taken in donated fur items and given them to wildlife rehabilitators across the country for more than 10 years. We’ve handled hundreds of items and have never heard of any ill effects.

Wildlife rehabilitators can clean the fur items with hot water, soap and bleach, ensuring that they will be safe for wild animals. They tell us the fur pieces calm stressed, frightened, bewildered and orphaned baby mammals and help in the rehabilitation process.

For the most part, the furs donated to us are older, and any chemical residue resulting from processing pelts into fur would likely have dissipated, but the additional step of thoroughly cleaning the items would remove any lingering residues. It’s always wise to wash any donated item prior to using it as bedding for wildlife patients.

While we appreciate Rivers’ cautious approach, we hope it won’t deter anyone from sending us their old fur garments through this program. The fur industry involves immense pain and suffering inflicted on wildlife. It’s great to be able to give something back to wild animals through this program.

Hillary Twining

Program coordinator

New England

regional office

The Humane Society of the United States

Jacksonville, Vt.