Animal Kind

I recently discovered an acquaintance of mine has purchased a mink coat, and I could not be more disgusted. I am confused by the sheer lack of care a majority of human kind has for other species, no matter how I try, I fail to comprehend why someone would use an animal, merely for it's skin and then discard it as if it were a piece of scrap paper.
I understand the use of cows skin for leather, and pigs skin for suede, as these are animals that humans feed on, but to use animals merely for the purpose of fashion? To ruin food chains and endanger species we do not feed on, for the sake of having the 'real thing'? 65 female mink or 35 males go into making ONE coat, just one!
There is no need for any person, no matter how rich, or fashion conscious, to use the skin of these animals, where faux furs and faux silk are so readily available. Quality and texture is no question as there are faux furs available which are so close to the real thing only a specialist would be able to tell the two apart.
I am not an animal rights activists, or a member of any animal protection societies, I am merely a girl who is horrified by the ignorant species she is a part of.