Cruelty-Free Products to Think About

My newest endeavor to help animals on a larger scale involves the daily or weekly products I use--cleaning supplies, toiletries, beauty products, and other products with ingredients that are still tested on animals. Although I admit I haven't quite gotten to the point where all of my products have a "never tested on animals" label, I am slowly moving to purchasing them as I need new items. The main reason why I haven't jumped on this particular bandwagon until now is, frankly, money. So many eco-friendly, animal-friendly products tend to be on the more expensive side, which is great if you're not on a tight budget. But with the combination of a worsened economy and the populations' heightened ethical awareness on purchases has come more affordable, cruelty-free options. As I move toward cabinets filled with only cruelty-free products, I encourage you to join me.

Leaping Bunny Logo.

So why is this so important, you might ask?
Millions of animals in laboratories suffer and die from testing of ingredients and products each year--products that have already been proven safe for humans or could be tested in more humane ways. And as companies become more conscious of the public's desire to purchase cruelty-free products, they have developed slogans and logos that can be deliberately deceiving and misleading to consumers. The main reason why they're misleading is because they say things such as "not tested on animals," referring to the final product but not the ingredients used to make the product at other facilities. Other companies will contract out the testing, fabricating a loop-hole for claiming that they didn't test it on animals. So it quickly becomes confusing and frustrating for those of us who really care about these labels and the truth behind them. Fortunately for us, Leaping Bunny has developed standards and a corresponding logo to help take the frustration out of shopping animal-friendly.

Leaping Bunny "works with companies to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more trustworthy." Their website has an updated list of national and international companies who have proven their compliance with cruelty-free standards, which include not testing the ingredients, formulations, or finished products on animals. They even have a printable Pocket Shopping Guide and a iPhone/Android phone application for you to refer to while shopping, and the Leaping Bunny logo is printed on the majority of their approved cruelty-free products (in case you forget your pocket guide or don't have the app!). They also have an updated list of companies on their website, as they are always trying to move companies to join their cause. Check out their site for other ways you can take action on the cruelty-free product front!

Here are a few of the companies I've already switched over to (or plan to switch to in future purchases) for my household and beauty products:

• Method Products:  They have everything from hand soap to shower cleaner to laundry detergent to baby products, and they are my favorite new top choice in my animal-friendly quest. As an added bonus, their products are non-toxic (not "dirty" ingredients) and recyclable. Available at Target, Lowe's, Kroger, and MethodHome.com for very affordable prices.
• Burt's Bees: They have natural personal care products that are good for the environment, including sunscreen, lip balm, shampoo, and even men's products. A little on the pricier side, but still affordable (most of these products last a long time, too). Available in a multitude of stores and at BurtsBees.com.
• Eco-Me: This company has household supplies, even drain cleaner, and they also have pet-care products. Shouldn't we use cruelty-free products on our pets, too?! Available at Target, Amazon, Petco, RiteAid, and Eco-Me, among others, for affordable prices.

One last link: I encourage you to read a recent article that will get you thinking about universities' roles in animal-testing--just click the article link below.
HSUS, All Animals Magazine, May/June 2011. Behind Closed Doors: The Human Toll of Animal Research, by Ruthanne Johnson.

Will you join me in my journey towards an animal-friendly products home?