Adidas has officially stopped sourcing kangaroo leather for its athletic shoes, marking a massive win for animals and advocates worldwide. According to a report from the Center for a Humane Economy, the company\u2019s CEO Bj\u00f8rn Gulden announced the decision during its Annual General Meeting in F\u00fcrth, Germany.<\/p>\n
The news followed a direct plea from Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center, who urged adidas to cut ties with the kangaroo skin trade\u2014a brutal industry that kills over a million kangaroos every year.<\/p>\n
This move by adidas makes it the final major athletic brand\u2014joining Nike, Puma, Diadora, New Balance, and Sokito\u2014to walk away from the industry, following years of protests, investigations, and international pressure under the \u201cKangaroos Are Not Shoes\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n
These nighttime hunts often leave joeys orphaned or beaten, and are widely condemned for their cruelty and secrecy.<\/p>\n
Advocates like Milla Widmer, Vanessa Hagler, Donny Moss of TheirTurn, and Australian MP Emma Hurst have worked tirelessly to expose the reality behind the industry.<\/p>\n
Thanks to this coalition\u2019s efforts, the kangaroo kill has already dropped from 2 million to 1.3 million annually. With adidas stepping away, the pressure now shifts to Japanese brands like ASICS and Mizuno.<\/p>\n
As Jennifer Skiff of the Center put it, \u201cCompassion is not a compromise. Cruelty has no place in commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s make sure other companies get the message. If you care about wildlife and ethical business, now is the time to speak out.<\/p>\n
Support brands that protect animals, say no to wildlife exploitation, and demand laws that reflect kindness\u2014not commerce. Because the world doesn\u2019t need another pair of shoes made from suffering.<\/p>\n