Pledge to choose cruelty-free products.

Animal testing of cosmetics and toiletries doesn’t happen in Australia, yet many products imported to Australia are tested on animals.

Many big-name brands such as Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive still fund painful and often lethal tests on animals in other countries before sending their products down under.

Using animals in cruel experiments also occurs for products other than those classified as ‘cosmetics’. Choosing non-animal-tested products is the key to ending this cruel practice.

Animals used for tests are routinely poisoned, burnt and killed in the attempt to measure the toxicity of the chemicals that make up cosmetics, cleaning products, drugs, pesticides, foods, and even packing materials.

Testing companies expose animals to chemicals that may cause painful eye and skin irritation, developmental abnormalities, cancer and death. The pain from such tests can be excruciating, yet animals are typically not given pain relief, as scientists often fear that anaesthetics could affect the toxicity of the chemicals being tested. As a result, animals are often left to languish in pain.

This pledge plays a vital role — but you can have an even greater impact for animals today.

Here’s how:

• As a consumer: do not buy cosmetics or toiletries that have been tested on animals, or have animal-based ingredients. Choose Cruelty Free has a great list of cruelty-free products to help you shop kindly.
• As a donor: if you wish to donate to a charity, ensure it is not one that supports the use of animals in research. See the list of charities that have adopted a ‘no animal testing’ policy.
• As a student: advise your teacher and/or your school/institution that you will not partake in the use of animals in classes, and encourage them to adopt non-animal alternatives in their teaching. Visit Interniche — a great organisation dedicated to the adoption of humane education techniques, and including some great resources. Also download the free Learning Without Killing: A Guide to Conscientious Objection mini-book.
• As a community member: educate yourself about the ethical and scientific aspects of animal use in research and teaching, and then ensure you let our elected leaders know of your views. For further information on these issues visit the Humane Research Australia website.
• Learn more about animal testing.