Save the Sheep
Wool is just "the second Fur"
In Australia, where more than 50 percent of the world’s merino wool—which is used in products ranging from clothing to carpets—comes from, lambs are forced to endure a gruesome procedure called mulesing, in which huge chunks of skin and flesh are cut from the animals’ backsides, without any painkillers. When their wool production declines, some sheep are shipped to the Middle East on crowded multilevel ships. These journeys, which can last for months, are to countries where animal welfare standards are non-existent. The suffering sheep are dragged off the ships, loaded onto trucks, and dragged by their ears and legs to unregulated slaughterhouses, where their throats are slit while they are still conscious. Sheep are gentle individuals who, like all animals, feel pain, fear, and loneliness. But because there is a market for their fleece and skins, they are treated as nothing more than wool-producing machines. No amount of fluff can hide the fact that anyone who buys wool supports a cruel and bloody industry. There are plenty of durable, stylish, and warm fabrics available that aren’t made from animal skins. Please join the millions of people all over the world who know that compassion is the fashion. Save a sheep—don’t buy wool.

Alternatives for wool
Many people who are allergic to wool already use alternatives to wool clothing and blankets, including cotton, cotton flannel, polyester fleece, synthetic shearling, and other cruelty-free fibers. Tencel—breathable, durable, and biodegradable—is one of the newest cruelty-free wool substitutes. Polartec Wind Pro—made primarily from recycled plastic soda bottles—is a high-density fleece with four times the wind resistance of wool that also wicks away moisture. Choosing to buy these nonwool products not only helps the animals, but can also reduce or eliminate many of the consumer problems and inconveniences that go along with wearing or using wool.

Disadvantages of wool
Some of the consumer problems associated with wool: It is susceptible to mildew and moth damage. It is not always machine-washable, and cannot be directly ironed. It often damages easily and is not durable. It tends to be expensive. It causes allergies and/or extreme itching for many people. It's very water-absorbent, and doesn't dry quickly. It stains easily, but doesn't clean well. It's prone to retaining foul odors. It shrinks with every wash.