My original plan for my first blog was going to be something lighthearted…. maybe a personal story about one of my own animals. Then while perusing Facebook last week, this popped up on my news feed:
This was posted by the Beagle Freedom Project. I follow some different dog rescues, humane societies, dog recoveries, etc., and one tends to lead to another. I believe this group came to my attention when someone in a beagle Facebook group I belong to posted some photos of this group’s latest rescues. I also remember seeing video of a group of beagles they rescued from a laboratory putting their paws in the grass for the very first time. Heartwarming.
However, what leads to these heartwarming stories is far from that; the total opposite in fact. I have a tendency to want to go back to bed and put my head under my pillow when I read things like that photo above. I want to be the ostrich with my head in the sand, ignoring the awful things that go on in the world. But since I have become more aware of issues involving animals, I find that harder and harder to do.
This particular photo caught my attention. Two of my pets are beagles. They are the most wonderful dogs….loving and affectionate, and great companions. As I looked into this issue further, I found out that this is one of the reasons they are used in labs for testing…..because of their friendly and trusting natures. That is wrong on so many levels I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
My first thoughts are that I do not believe in any kind of testing on animals….but I can at least comprehend the mentality behind it if it leads to better things for the human race (and animals as well sometimes)….things such as cancer research, or pharmaceutical testing that leads to treatments and cures for awful diseases. Let me be clear: I still don’t like it. But cosmetics, personal care, and beauty aids?? Really? This is deemed necessary by greedy manufacturers? And we are supporting them by buying their products? They are counting on the fact that most of us are not aware of what is really going on.
People on Facebook shared the fact that there is an organization called “Leaping Bunny” that puts their symbol on products that have proven to be “cruelty free”. So I set out on a mission in my own home to see if I could find any products with the bunny on them. I am disheartened to say that I could not. The best I found was some Bath ‘n Body Works products that did say “not tested on animals”. At least I found something!
There are several websites where you can get lists of companies that are “cruelty free” – they don’t do animal testing. I have skimmed through several of the lists and have to say that most of these names were not familiar (though there were a lot on the list which is encouraging). In other words everyday products from big companies that we are familiar with, things that we can buy cheaply at the big box stores, are not on there. The most familiar ones to me were Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine. I have had some of their products from time to time because I had already thought all natural products are a better way to go. I have also bought locally made products, where you know they are made with natural ingredients from here in New England. No worries of animal testing there. But these are not inexpensive.
My next visit to the store had me looking for some of these products. Wal-Mart carries Burt’s Bees. I needed a bar of soap, so picked one up. $4.00 for one bar of soap! I could buy a 12 pack of my usual brand for the same price. Maybe some people are more well off than I am, and this wouldn’t phase them. I have to give my husband credit for not saying a word when that bar of soap went into my shopping basket. I am determined to phase the bad products out of my life, but this is not going to be an easy, or cheap, prospect. But I will persist at it.
You do what you are comfortable with in your own life, and I will keep you updated when I find other new products that I really like and that are cruelty free. Just in case you want to join me.
There is so much more to say, and to do, on this subject, but I will save some for another day after doing further research. For now I will leave you with some links where you can do your own research, if you so desire.
the best friend that I have ever had of the 4 legged variety, was a beagle mix named peanut. He outlasted my ex-husband and last boyfriend. He seemed to exist just to love me. Anything I did was ok. Animals don’t judge. I still miss him after almost 10 years. I can’t imagine someone doing this to him and I will start trying to make some better choices. Thanks for making me think about this.
Wow, Connie, that really brought tears to my eyes….definitely puts things in perspective.
indeed, Connie, that was a heartwarming testament just to the love we receive from our dogs, and other pets. And thank you, Jan, for bringing this topic, as awful as the reality is, to the forefront of our minds, those of us who have not thought about this before, or even if having the thoughts about buying products not animal tested, etc, were not aware of how to figure out which products are and aren’t. Not to mention you bring to light the practicalities to be considered along with the urge to just make the right humane choices. Please keep us informed as you have said you will, and so appreciate all the people with other knowledge that have contributed that here…
I’m thiking you saw that picture when I posted it! I love this blog. I have to say that Seventh Generation is a wonderful company. I started using their dish soap and it works just as good as any other…they best thing THE LEAPING BUNNY and my dish sponge DOES NOT get the funny oder that it would get from the other brands. I have found it in Wal Mart at a much cheaper price than the super market.
Burts Bees makes wonderful cleansers for the face and body…WalMart, Target and CVS carry them. They also make hair care products. Crystal Deodorant is also nice…been using it for years.
Thank you, Mary! For the advice on brands (I am writing those down now) and for posting the photo that inspired me! 🙂
I cannot wait to try that dish soap, because I especially hate that sour smell that sponges and dishcloths get. It will be wonderful to find some good new products to use, and to know we are helping the animals at the same time.
Seventh Generation is on FB also as is Burts Bees and Toms of Maine!
Just checked that out, and I love the fact that some of these are New England companies!
I’d like to suggest that you add the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to your list of sources for cruelty-free products. I used to think Burt’s Bees products were great then I realized that as a vegan and lover of all animals, I don’t want to use anything that contains animal by-products either. It’s tough to find cruelty-free, non-toxic products, but possible. However, as you say, they can be pretty pricey. I strive to live a mindful life, but know so well that I’ll never be perfect at it. We all just need to do the best we can. Love this blog. Oh, I saw the beagle video too. So heart warming to see those precious dogs finally released from the lab where they’d lived their whole lives.
Thank you, Christy, I have added that to the list. Just looked at it briefly and it does look like a great resource. There is so much to think about when buying products, not just whether it’s been tested on animals, but what other ingredients are in there. We should also be thinking about what kinds of things we are putting on our own bodies, and into the environment. But as you say, we all just need to do the best we can, and what we are comfortable with.
Thank you so much, Pat. Yes, there are layers and layers to this subject and it needs to be discussed more. It really is sickening, and can you imagine that people do this as their job? Who can live with that? Even if these animals are not being abused, even if some places treat them well….what kind of life is that for any animal? Never seeing the light of day. I also found that some products that are labeled “never tested on animals” have been bought out by bigger companies that do test on animals, so some of your money is still going to support these greedy corporations. It really is disheartening. Thank you so much for your interest!
Jan
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I LOVE everything about it except the need for it. I have already started delving in to this subject more thoroughly. I always thought “cruelty free” meant that animals weren’t used in testing. Not necessarily the case. Then I was sickened to learn that companies can claim they don’t use animals in testing, but that could be PR Spin for saying that it’s not happening within their walls but being sub-contracted out. Who, who could think of running a business to test beauty products on animals? Who could do that and not have nightmares? I didn’t know about beagles and shampoo/soap. What is the thinking behind that? Thank you for starting off with such a meaningful subject. I am so glad you started this blog. Pat
Hi Jan …
This blog is fabulous! I LOVE