Animals are being used in experiments every day—and it’s up to us to stop them. So you’re against animal testing, and you do everything you can to buy cruelty-free products. The problem is that, even though there are a lot of people who are conscious of this issue, many companies still test on animals! Why is that? Well, maybe we just need to be a little more active.
Make your voice heard.
You might not be able to get 100% of the companies out there to stop testing on animals, but you can start with your own industry or your favorite local brands.
The first step is to call the company and politely ask them not to test on animals and ask them what they are doing about it. They may not be willing to change their practices right away, but they will remember your call and hopefully look into changing their policies.
Another way to enact change is to contact your local representatives and let them know you want laws passed in your area banning animal testing. You can find your representative by entering your zip code on this website.
Know your labels.
A lot of people don’t realize that just because a product says “cruelty-free” or “not tested on animals,” that doesn’t necessarily mean it is. That’s right: Companies can lie about this! Look for products with a certification from PETA or Leaping Bunny.
Talk to others about why they should stop using products tested on animals.
Spread the word on social media and other platforms.
Share your views with other people.
Many companies monitor what people are saying about them, so it’s always a good move to share your views on social media. It’s a great catalyst for change, since it can help the spread of information and the viralization of content.
A great example of this is “Save Ralph”, a video created by The Humane Society of the United States, depicting a bunny (voiced by Taika Waititi) who is a victim of testing. The video went viral and created a lot of awareness around the topic:
Talk to your friends about animal testing and encourage them to boycott products that test on animals. If enough people take a stand, companies will have no choice but to change their ways.
Vote with your wallet.
One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to stop animal testing is to boycott companies that do it. If a company tests on animals and you don’t buy their products or use their services, then they are losing money because of it. That’s why it’s important to research which brands test on animals and don’t give them your business if they’re still doing it! PETA has a searchable database that you can use to double-check that the products you’re buying don’t test on animals, or you can also get curated products from nottodiefor.us that are all vegan & cruelty-free.
Sign (or even create) petitions.
There are often petitions going around against animal testing. Find them, sign them, and share them with your friends. When companies see that consumers are passionate about an issue, they listen.
If you’re feeling more motivated, start a petition! All it takes is an online account (like Change.org) and a little bit of information about the issue at hand.
Donate money to animal rights organizations or volunteer.
Volunteering at an organization is one of the easiest ways to offer direct help. It’s also helpful to keep in touch with other people who share your ideals, and it will help you avoid falling victim to compassion fatigue.
Unfortunately, we don’t all have the time or energy to call companies or to organize protests. If you have some spare income, you can always donate to animal rights groups. Ethical Elephant has a very detailed list of organizations that fight against animal testing. Check it out!
At the end of the day, we can use our power as consumers to support companies that don’t test on animals. The good news is that more and more companies are realizing they can still make money while being ethical!
At Not to Die For* we want to make vegan and cruelty-free products easily accessible to anyone who wants to improve their lifestyle. Check out our shop and purchase with peace of mind 🌱
