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FYI

PETA Wants Aretha Franklin's Fur Coat Collection

Aretha Franklin was known for wearing elegant fur coats on stage and then dropping said coats off her shoulders and to the ground during particularly dramatic moments of the songs she was singing.

PETA Wants Aretha Franklin's Fur Coat Collection

By Aaron Brophy

Aretha Franklin was known for wearing elegant fur coats on stage and then dropping said coats off her shoulders and to the ground during particularly dramatic moments of the songs she was singing.


Now the People For Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) are hoping those responsible for Franklin's estate will shrug off the singer's collection of fur coats as part of their "Donate Your Fur To PETA" campaign.

PETA repurposes the furs they receive in a number of ways, including using them at wildlife rehabilitation centres as bedding for orphaned animals, as well as giving them to homeless people and refugees in Afghanistan and Iraq. Donating furs to PETA is tax-deductible.

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The animal rights organization recently sent an open letter to Franklin's niece Sabrina Garrett Owens asking her to consider giving her aunt's furs to PETA. Franklin died on August 16 at age 76 due to pancreatic cancer.

"We’re so sorry for the loss of your aunt," starts the letter from PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. "The world has lost an amazing talent, and we’re grateful that her music will live on.

– Continue reading Aaron Brophy's story on the Samaritanmag website.

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William Prince
Courtesy Photo

William Prince

FYI

Billboard Canada FYI Music News Digest: FONTINE, Leith Ross and William Prince Lead Western Canadian Music Awards Nominees

Also this week: A free music films series at Montreal Jazz Festival, Siibii is on a roll and new music from Tyler Ellis, David Occhipinti and Derek Downham.

The Western Canadian Music Alliance recently announced the nominees for the 2026 Western Canadian Music Awards. Three artists from Manitoba, FONTINE, Leith Ross and William Prince, head the nominees list with three nods apiece, followed by ARDN, Begonia, Blue Moon Marquee & Northern Cree, Boy Golden, Burnstick, Calling All Captains, Empanadas Ilegales, Foxwarren, Katie Tupper, Mariel Buckley and The Mbira Renaissance Band, with two nominations each. The winners will be named at a special evening event during BreakOut West, which takes place Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 in Victoria.

This 24th edition of the BreakOut West conference and festival is supported by Music BC, Creative BC and the British Columbia provincial government and is hosted by Victoria for the first time since 2015. Voting has begun and closes June 18 and is open to all members of all western Provincial and Territorial Music Industry Associations. The full list of nominees is on BreakOut West's website.

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