I have been vegetarian for nearly 30 years, and do work for animal rights. I do acknowledge, simultaneously, that in some cases it may be more practical to wear leather, as opposed to faux leather. I am extremely thin - mum calls it "no meat on the bones" - so I do know these sheepskin boots would provide me with the warmth I need. Many companies who produce copies of these boots treat the animals with more neglect and abuse, than companies like Emu and Ugg. I just cannot, in all conscience, allow myself to buy a pair of these boots. For me, it would be a bit like wearing the animal and I would feel so, so guilty each time I wore them, it just wouldn't be worth it, emotionally, for me. These are my personal feelings, and I can understand why people would wear them, for the benefits they offer.