February 11, 2010

Animal-Friendly Shopping Tips

Be a More Compassionate Consumer—Choose to Purchase Products Not Tested on Animals

 Overview     |     Watch The Video     |     Take Action

Interested in becoming a more compassionate consumer? Helping animals used in inhumane animal tests has never been easier. Check out seven ways to get started:

1. Pledge To Do Your Part
Take a stand against inhumane animal tests by pledging to purchase only cosmetic, personal care, and household products from companies that meet the criteria of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)*, the most rigorous cruelty-free standard. Companies that meet this internationally-recognized standard affirm that their products, ingredients, and formulations are not tested on animals. After you've signed, spread the word to your friends by using our tell-a-friend application. Sign the pledge »

2. Grab a Guide & Look for the Logo
Need to know if a product is cruelty-free? It's a snap with the humane shopping guide from the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)*. The companies listed in the guide have met the criteria of the CCIC, the most rigorous cruelty-free standard. And the guide isn’t limited to cosmetic companies; household, pet care and personal care products are also listed. Some of these products carry the CCIC's Leaping Bunny logo, making it even easier to tell if an item is animal-friendly. Get a free guide for you—and a few for your friends—now!
» Download the app for iPhone/iPad or Android
» Request a pocket-sized guide or Print the PDF version

3. Wise Up
As with any claim, consumers need to be cautious when they see the label "not tested on animals." Some companies might say that their products are cruelty-free, but it can mean that while the final product was not tested on animals, the ingredients were. It can also mean that the company itself did not test the product on animals, but contracted another firm to do their dirty work. The best way to be sure that a company is truly cruelty-free is to see if it's listed with The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)*. If so, it means they've met the rigorous standards designed by CCIC to ensure that no animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories or suppliers.

4. Get More Businesses on Board
Have you noticed that some of your favorite products aren't in the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)* guide? Help expand the number of companies that meet the CCIC standard by asking them to join CCIC and become cruelty-free. Download CCIC's sample letter for ideas on how to word your request, then call, write or email. Contact information can typically be found on the product itself or on the company's website.

5. Shop for Good
Buy any of these goodies and a percentage of the purchase price will be donated to the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics*.

6. Connect to the Cause
Join the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics' Leaping Bunny* Facebook or MySpace page and receive updates on the newest cosmetic companies to go cruelty-free. Spread the word to your friends and ask them to join too.

7. Study the Subject
Learn more about animal testing—check out the following resources 
» Cosmetic and Product Testing Homepage
» Questions and Answers About Cosmetic and Product Testing
» A History of Cosmetic and Product Testing
» AltTox.org, a collaborative website for scientists and policy makers

* The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), is a group of eight animal protection groups—including The Humane Society of the United States—that promotes a single comprehensive standard for cruelty-free products. Some of the companies that meet the standard have taken the extra step of using the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny logo on their products.