Non-Free Animal Cruelty Products

*An animal test is any scientific experiment or test in which a live animal is forced to undergo something that is likely to cause them pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Animals used in laboratories are deliberately harmed, not for their own good, and are usually killed at the end of the experiment.YOU SHOULD CARE. There are so many products in your pharmacy, retailer, and grocery store that allows this testing to occur which taints the product itself. My first experience using a product known for harming animals in a cruel manner was a devastating experience. I pretty much was furious. Afterwards, I've watched countless of animal videos where many were tortured and tossed. I chose this issue because it relates to everyone's daily choices. The choices we decide to make consciously or unconsciously can conclude to horrible outcomes if not pleasant. In 2008, I found myself near a swap meet. It was my first time going to one. I saw bunnies in tight cages & felt overwhelmed by the amount of bunnies in just a single cage. They had no room to move, play or sleep. I was traumatized by the image alone as a child. On most days, I can still see a clear image of it. I can't shake that simple feeling. Im the type of person to see a stray on the street and rescue it, but all of them were initially domestic animals. However certain animals belong in the wild. Rabbits are one of those type of animals that require freedom. I would never subject myself in a confine space let alone for an extend period of time.

“Each year, more than 100 million animals including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing. Before their deaths, some are forced to inhale toxic fumes, others are immobilized in restraint devices for hours, some have holes drilled into their skulls, and others have their skin burned off or their spinal cords crushed. In addition to the torment of the actual experiments, animals in laboratories are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them—they are confined to barren cages, socially isolated, and psychologically traumatized. The thinking, feeling animals who are used in experiments are treated like nothing more than disposable laboratory equipment.” (PETA)

Websites that provide information about the issue:


• Companies Test Positive on Animals
• Animals Used for Experiments
• Are You a Witness to Animal Cruelty

       Animal Cruelty is an issue in my community as well as many communities in different parts of the world, but I would like to focus on my certain location. Companies produce products that follow certain laws and they have to test their merchandise on animals to deem safe, but that comes at a high price involving inhumane activities. I chose this issue because many people are not aware of the products that follows these specific guidelines.

Main Focus:

       Sephora is a French multination chain of personal care and beauty stores. Featuring nearly 300 brands, along with it own private label. Sephora offers beauty products including cosmetics, skincare, body fragrance, nail polish, beauty tools, and haircare. Sephora is owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH as of 1997. Many products in Sephora will sell brands contributing to this significant problem. Do you know what products that you've purchased at Sephora that involved hurting animals? The product might have been created by a caged, blistered, cut, stabbed bunny tossed away for the next one to be tested on.


Call to Action:

       Companies do not need to torture animals in order to test shampoo, detergent, mascara, or other household products. Scientists do not have to torment monkeys, birds, or rabbits in order to cure a disease. Educators do not need to buy fetal pigs to teach students physiology.

If you cannot donate:

• Attend local protests
• Always buy cruelty-free products
• Educate others
• Leave your body to science

The most important way to help make a change:

• By electing and voting for progressive, pro-choice candidates

"Cruelty-free cosmetics and household products abound. If you aren’t sure whether or not your favorite brands drip chemicals into rabbits’ eyes" (PETA). 

Community Members:

"Stop funding animal testing!" - Jorge

"The procedure is unnecessary, there are cheaper more accurate alternative methods. Animals do not need to suffer at the expense of a new make- up product." - Denise

Best Solution:

The best way to stop companies from using animals is to refuse to purchase their products and to write and tell them why you won't be using their eye shadow. detergent, shampoo, or etc. Let us begin in our community and act now!

References:

Report Animal Cruelty. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://spcala.com/programs-services/report-animal-cruelty/

Experiments on Animals: Overview. (2004, November 11). Retrieved from https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/animals-used-experimentation-factsheets/animal-experiments-overview/

Rose, S. (2020, January 3). List Of Companies That Test On Animals 2020. Retrieved from https://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/companies-that-test-on-animals/