It's been barely 2 weeks since we lost the Queen of Soul, but already PETA has made Aretha Franklin a target.  Last week, PETA’s executive vice president Tracy Reiman sent a letter to Franklin's family.  According to the New York Post, the letter was a request for the late singers extensive collection of fur coats and shawls.

The singers niece received the letter, which reportedly asked to use the historic garments as donated clothing for the homeless and "as bedding for poor animals."  The vice president's letter would go on to say that they had done something similar with donated furs from Anjelica Huston, Mariah Carey, Kim Cattrall, Mary Tyler Moore, Sharon Osbourne, and other celebrities.

I think that the animal rights activists are missing a great opportunity to help their named causes and protect some valuable pieces of music history.  In my humble opinion, I think that some fan would love to own a fur once worn by this incredible entertainer.  That could be worth a lot of money to the right person at an auction, for example.  This might sound crazy, but that money could probably by a lot of clothes for the homeless and bedding for poor animals.

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