Each year, thousands of animals are poisoned and killed in laboratories—the victims of painful and unnecessary product tests. Workers force chemicals into rabbits’ eyes and rub them onto animals’ shaved and abraded skin. The animals are forced into restraining devices so that they can’t escape the pain; they’re not sedated or given painkillers. Some break their necks or backs trying to escape.
In the United States, federal law does not require animal tests on household or personal care products, nor are such tests required by law in the United Kingdom. More than 500 companies in the U.S., including large corporations such as Revlon and Avon, and more than 200 companies in the U.K., including large corporations such as Beauty Without Cruelty and The Body Shop, ensure their customers’ safety by using more accurate non-animal tests. It’s time that all companies stopped testing on animals.
Here’s how you can help:
- If you’re shopping in the U.S., check out PETA’s list of companies that do and that don’t test on animals. If you’re planning a shopping spree in the U.K., check out BUAV’s Guide to Who Does/Doesn’t Test on Animals. Buy only products not tested on animals, and complain to the companies that are still experimenting on animals.
- Post information on products that are tested on animals in laundry rooms and bathrooms around campus. Be sure to include information on cruelty-free alternatives.
- Meet with the head of campus housekeeping and ask that only cruelty-free cleaning supplies be used on campus. If possible, show the housekeeping staff a short video about animal experimentation. Provide suggestions for alternative products that can be used instead.
- Meet with the head of the campus bookstore and ask if you can work together to make the store cruelty-free. Be prepared with alternatives to all the animal-tested products that the store has. If he or she won’t make it go completely cruelty-free, ask that it at least stop carrying P&G products or label products that are tested on animals (E-mail PETA2@peta.org for stickers).
- If a representative of a company that tests on animals is coming to speak at your campus, or if a company that tests on animals is recruiting at your school, organize a protest. Alert the media, and e-mail PETA2@peta.org for help.
- Hold a demonstration at a local drugstore. E-mail PETA2@peta.org for help and materials.
