Much to the dismay of animal activists, Canadian legislation permits the killing of a million harp and hooded seals for its annual hunt.

For countless Canadian seals, the end is near.

Last week, the Canadian government announced plans to expand its annual seal hunt, permitting over 1,000,000 harp and hooded seals to be commercially skinned over the next three years - the highest quota in the country's history.

While the government-sanctioned hunt ensures employment for thousands of Canadian sealers, some animal welfare advocates have provided evidence to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that the seals are often killed inhumanely, or even skinned alive. Of the estimated 350,000 seals that will be hunted in the next few weeks, 95 percent of them will be clubbed to death before they reach three months of age.

Upon the release of this information, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has set up a special website, www.canadasealhunt.ca, encouraging concerned citizens to stand up for the defenseless seals.

Established in 1969, the IFAW has grown into one of the world's leading animal welfare organizations. With offices in 13 countries, IFAW's worldwide mission is to protect the welfare of animals and their environments by creating public awareness about animals in distress.

Ronnie O'Connor, member of IFAW Supporter Relations, said that in addition to fighting the seal hunt in Canada, the organization travels the world to study numerous cases of animal injustices.

"Our seal team is currently traveling to the Magdaline Islands to monitor this year's seal hunt", O'Connor noted.

Meanwhile, below the Canadian border, Americans react to news of the largest marine mammal hunt ever.

Jeff Guerette, 21, Conn., animal lover for life, said that animals should not have to suffer for the sake of one's career.

"I think that as bad as the economy is, there are plenty of other ways to find work besides killing baby harp seals. I can't imagine there are that many uses for a baby harp seal that a million of them would need to be killed."

But not all Americans share this sentiment toward our furry friends. Vincent Augello, 23, NJ, said that in the midst of increasing unemployment rates, baby seals are expendable.

"With times as tough as they are, the seal hunt is good because it provides jobs for a lot of people. What has a seal ever done for you anyway?"