National Post

Q&A: ‘Roadkill specialist’ makes sure no fur goes to waste
Among a small crowd of fashionistas, harvesting road-killed animals has become a way of obtaining parka trim and hand warmers without raising the ire of animal rights advocates. U.K.-based jeweller Lucy Jenkins, for instance, offers roadkilled fur-lined bangles packaged in boxes bearing the words “no animals were killed for the purpose of this piece.” But retired Saskatchewan contract administrator Gerry Armsworthy was making roadkilled fur hats before it was cool. The Post’s Tristin Hopper called him up at his Regina home.

Q When did you first start dabbling in roadkilled fur?
A I retired in 1993 and I started travelling around the province and saw all this stuff laying around the road. I was sewing leather and I needed trim for the leather so I thought “maybe I’ll pick some of this stuff up.” I saw it as a challenge. All that beautiful fur — winter fur — was just going to waste. But you only pick up the good ones.

Q What defines a bad one?
A Some of them get hit by 16-wheelers and they’re not much good … you’ll get an animal that’s ripped in two or something like that. It’s nice when they get hit and roll to the side. (Photo: Nichole Huck/CBC)