From the very beginning, BY SCOUT has been passionate about creating unique, high-quality products for our beloved dogs and their humans—always in a sustainable and compassionate way, one that is far less harmful to our planet and kind to fellow animals.

Using animal leather does not align with our mission to protect both the environment and animals, making it incompatible with our commitment to sustainability and ethical craftsmanship.

Leather might be synonymous with luxury, but its environmental cost is anything but refined. The industry is a major contributor to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, where nearly 80% of cleared land is used for cattle ranching. The tanning process, reliant on toxic chemicals like chromium, contaminates waterways and harms surrounding ecosystems. Meanwhile, the staggering 15,000 liters of water required to produce just one kilogram of leather adds to the strain on our planet’s resources. On a global scale, cattle farming—driven in part by leather demand—accounts for 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to methane. With such an immense environmental footprint, it’s clear that leather is anything but sustainable.

For years, artificial leather has been dismissed as inferior to traditional animal leather—thought to be less durable, less luxurious, and simply a cheap alternative. But innovation has completely reshaped the landscape. Today’s high-quality vegan leathers are not only as strong and long-lasting as animal leather, but they also offer greater versatility, softness, and premium finishes that rival even the finest hides.

Many luxury brands are now turning to next-generation materials made from apples, mushrooms, and cactus, which mimic the texture, flexibility, and durability of traditional leather—without the environmental or ethical costs. Unlike animal leather, which cracks, stains, and requires intensive care, advanced vegan leathers are often more water-resistant, easier to maintain, and free from toxic tanning chemicals.

The belief that only animal leather exudes luxury is outdated. The future of premium materials is cruelty-free, sustainable, and just as refined—if not better—than the past.

While both animal leather and artificial leather serve the same purpose, their environmental impact—and ethical implications—differ drastically. Animal leather is not only resource-intensive but also tied to immense animal suffering

Artificial leather, though often made with synthetics like PU or PVC, still has a lower footprint. It requires up to 20 times less water to produce and eliminates the need for livestock, significantly reducing methane emissions and deforestation.

And then we've not yet included bio-based alternatives - like the one we use made from repurposed apples, further minimize reliance on fossil fuels.

Buying leather isn’t just about fashion; it’s a direct contribution to factory farms and slaughterhouses, where animal hides are a key co-product of the meat industry. An estimated 85% of leather comes from animals raised in intensive factory farms, where they endure cramped, inhumane conditions—exempt from the very cruelty laws that protect our pets.

In the relentless pursuit of cheaper leather, much of the industry has shifted production to countries like China, India, Brazil, and Russia, where weaker labor rights, minimal environmental regulations, and poor animal welfare standards allow for mass exploitation. China alone dominates over 25% of the global leather market and is infamous for slaughtering over 2 million dogs and cats annually for their meat and skin. What many consumers don’t realize is that a significant amount of leather sold in the U.S. and Europe originates from these very places.

There are no global labeling regulations for leather products. That means most consumers have no way of knowing where their leather comes from—or even what animal it’s made from.

At BY SCOUT, we believe in transparency, ethics, and craftsmanship, creating high-quality, luxury products for our beloved dogs—without the devastating cost to animals or the planet.