Theron pelts fur industry

Oscar-winning South African star Charlize Theron is making fur fly in Hollywood by joining a campaign against the use of animal pelts in fashion.

The 29-year-old star, who picked up the best actress Oscar earlier this year for her role as a serial killer in Monster, will soon star in a billboard advertisement slamming the animal cruelty caused by the fur industry.

"If You Wouldn't Wear Your Dog, Please Don't Wear Any Fur," reads the billboard that is plastered over a huge photograph of the blond beauty hugging her pet pooch, Tucker.

Theron has joined a long-running campaign against furs waged by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), which picked Theron in a drive to persuade other celebrities that fur is best left on its original owners.