{End Animal Testing -- YOU CAN HELP!}

This is one of those topics -- I know it's hard to think about. It's really difficult to hear the

details because no normal human being wants to hear about animals being tortured. Either

you're ready and willing to learn about it, or you're not. Maybe you're even totally informed

already. In which case, rock on! And if you think I'm preaching something you could care less

about, then feel free to come back on another day for a lighter topic. (There's plenty of those!)

But I did want to share a few thoughts on animal testing and what I learned in my latest effort

to get informed, for those of you who are interested.

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"I have always felt the way we treat animals is a pretty good indicator of the compassion

we are capable of for the human race." ~ Ali McGraw

"It wasn't fair when we did it to blacks, gypsies and orphans. And it's not right when we

do it to animals." ~Unknown

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It doesn't take more than a few clicks online to become horrified at the things done to

animals in labs across the country. It might be easier to say, "I'd rather not know the

details" or "It's too hard to watch that video". I'll give it to ya. Learning the details

about animal testing can be heart wrenching.

But the decision to remain uninformed about animal testing, also called vivisection, gives

companies and labs that do such testing a free pass to torture, maim and kill defenseless

creatures unnecessarily. Such blind consumerism is what funds their work.

You can make a difference. You can take a stand.

And it's easy to do because the research has already been done for you. You just have to

decide, if you haven't already, to open your eyes and read it. Then, let what you've learned

guide the way you shop, similar to what you might already do based on food nutrition labels

or a desire to buy local.

I was mortified to learn, for example, that some companies pump toothpaste, ink, lipstick,

or oven cleaner into the bellies of defenseless, little rabbits to see how much it will take to

kill them. These bunnies die from poisoning and their stomachs bursting. (source) I don't

need to use a product from a company who is willing to do that. Who does?



* As many as 115 million animals are experimented on and killed in laboratories in the

U.S.

every year. (source) This includes cats (source) and dogs (source -- if you buy Iams, please

watch this!!!). It's difficult to get an

accurate count

because federal law does not require all

animals -- including mice, rats

and

cold blooded

animals -- to be counted. (source)

* There is no law saying makeup, household products or office supplies have to be tested

on animals. (source) Yet, these companies do it to protect themselves, with disregard for

the lives of these precious creatures and the pain they feel.

* Less than two-percent of human illnesses are ever seen in animals. Because

humans and

animals have such different biology, results from medical related tests done on animals

are

often inconclusive.

(source)

* These poor things have miserable lives -- never seeing the outdoors or breathing fresh air,

spending day after day in metal cages, being tested on and cut open without pain relief.

(source) It's

appalling on every single level.

* One of the most common forms of animal testing is the Draize Test in which eyelids of

living, awake rabbits are help open with clamps while a test substance is put on or injected

into their eyes. The substance might be cosmetics, baking soda, bleach, or insecticide. (I

know my eyes get bothered by dust and eyelashes. I can't imagine what this would be

like.) The animals are then watched for their reactions, the likes of which, you can just

imagine. Of course, the animals are restrained during the process, unable to defend

themselves against agonizing torture. A similar test is where they shave an animal and

get the skin good and raw with an adhesive and then they rub test substances on their

skin to see what kind of reactions occur. The animals are then disguarded like garbage.

(source)

Our society has advanced and grown in so many arenas. To me, it's just an outrage that this

is still an acceptable form of business and development. I like to think we're better, kinder,

smarter, and less short sighted then that as a culture and a species.

I watched quite a few videos about animal testing, trying to really open my eyes to the issue.

I only

chose one to share here today. I think it's the least sensationalist and the most

informative.

I know it's tough to watch, and if you're like me, some of these images will stay

in your head

for awhile. But they will go away. You'll be left with the information though, and

the know

ledge you gain will allow you to make more informed choices. Choices that can

p

rotect animals from

testing.

So, I'm making the choice to get more informed about what companies do animal testing and

what ones don't. (Once you know what you

know, how can you not?) I want to make different

choices about the products I buy and use.

I

want to support companies that do not practice

animal testing and keep my business from

companies who do.

Right now, I'm going through the things in my home and cross checking them with lists

,

trying to learn what I will keep buying and what I will replace with products that are

animal cruelty-free. It's been a worthwhile journey so far, and I already feel like

I'm

making a

difference! I'll share my findings soon, for those of you who are interested.

Thank you for

listening today. This is an especially important topic to me. I hope you read

something in

here that got you thinking or re-inspired!

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A FEW RESOURCES:

List of products tested on animals: Here

List of companies that DO NOT test on animals: Here, here (this one is all makeup)

Charities that fund animal testing: Here

Charities that have been given the humane charity seal of approval: Here

Links that explain what you need to know about animal testing: Here, here and here

Finally, here are some great quotes about animal welfare that'll make you think!

"Every year tens of thousands of animals suffer and die in laboratory tests of cosmetics

and household products, despite the fact that the test results do help prevent or treat

accidental or purposeful misuse of the products. Please join me in using your voice for

those whose cries are forever sealed behind the laboratory doors." ~Woody Harrelson

* NOTE: The two photos above are from Google Images.