Written By Brooke Chaplan / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Each year millions of animals, including mice, pigs, cats, and dogs, are used by the medical and pharmaceutical industry to test cosmetics or household products. That’s a large number, especially when you realize that there are several alternatives to using animals.

The United States doesn’t require cosmetics to be tested on animals. In fact, in many countries around the world, the practice of testing on animals has been banned. This is because it subjects the animals to inhumane and cruel practices.

Investigate A Company’s Animal Testing Policy

This can require a little footwork on your part. There are several research tools online that can help you find the information you want quickly.

When you do your research, don’t take what is written at face value. Try to read between the lines. A company may not do the testing themselves, but they may have a third party do it for them.

For example, you may want to purchase hand sanitizer gel for your family, but you know that many brands test on animals. You read about a product offered by a company that says it does not test on animals.

A responsible thing would be to research the company online. See what they write about animal testing and what other people say about how strongly they adhere to their animal testing policy.

It’s Important To Read Product Labels Closely For Testing On Animals

Marketers are savvy. They understand that most people feel reluctant to purchase a product that was tested on animals. They will put labels on their products that say things like “The finished product was not tested on animals.”

People read that and walk away feeling good. But what they don’t realize is that all the label is guaranteeing is that the finished product wasn’t tested on animals. However, all the ingredients used in the product could have been tested on animals by the company itself or by a third party.

Even if you see a product advertised as cruelty-free, this does not mean that there was not animal testing somewhere during the process.

Cruelty-Free Living Is Not Complicated

It need not be complicated to find products that are not tested on animals. There are a large number of cruelty-free products, whether you are looking for SPF 30 sunscreen or a 72 pack 8 oz antiseptic hand sanitizer gel.

For some things, you may go the do-it-yourself route. Regardless of what you do, you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the products you use are never used to harm animals.

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Written By:

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan  

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.