Do you like animals? One way to help animals is to make animal-friendly choices when we buy things. If we all choose clothes, cosmetics and products that have been produced in animal-friendly ways, we can make a big difference to the way that animals are treated.
On this page you can find out how animals are involved in the things that you buy. You can also get some top tips on how to make your shopping animal-friendly.
Cosmetics and household products
Animals across the world are used in animal-testing. Animal testing is when something is tested on animals first to see how safe it would be for humans.
Many people do not know that animals are also involved in experiments which test things like shampoo, tobacco, and cleaning products. Because animals are harmed in these tests, animal rights activists and many others are fighting to end testing on animals. Non-medical animal testing is no longer legal in the UK but is still used in many countries across the world.
OneKind animal charity is campaigning to end animal testing, you can find out more on their website. By doing simple things, like buying a shampoo that has not been tested on animals, we can make a big difference to the way animals are treated. No animals will have suffered to make the things you are using. And if we all bought animal-friendly products, there would be no demand for them and producers would be encouraged to stop animal testing.
How do I know if it is animal-friendly?
The Leaping Bunny symbol is the only symbol used across the world that allows shoppers to find out whether their products have been tested on animals. If you see a Leaping Bunny on your deodorant or washing up liquid you can be sure that animals have not been used in the testing of it. If your product does not have a label to say it hasn’t been tested on animals, then it is highly likely that it has.
However, the Leaping Bunny logo does not necessarily mean that the product is free of animal ingredients (for example, a conditioner not tested on animals may still contain lanolin, which is from sheep wool). So, if you are a vegan and wish to avoid all animal-products, make sure that you check the ingredients list too.
Some companies such as Sainsbury’s, The Co-operative Group, Marks and Spencer and Lush have shown their commitment to animals, by making sure they do not test their own brand products on animals.
Fur
The fur industry breeds animals for their fur. Many animals across the world are killed to be skinned and turned into fur products. Fur farming is illegal in the UK, but still happens all across the world and it is still easy to buy fur products in the UK. If you choose to buy fake fur instead of real you can make a big difference to the animals in the fur trade. If everyone stopped buying real fur, then no animals would have to be killed to make fur products.
Leather, silk & wool
Other animal products used in clothing include leather, silk (obtained by boiling or gassing silkworms), and wool. Some people believe that to live a completely animal-friendly lifestyle we would make sure animals are not exploited to make our clothes. Now that there are many synthetic and manmade fibres it is easier to live without using animal made materials. However others believe you can live an animal-friendly lifestyle without giving up leather, silk and wool. They argue that producing man made fabrics and materials can be harmful to the environment.
Top tips for animal-friendly shopping
- Avoid buying real fur, snake skin and leather. There are plenty of excellent faux or synthetic versions on the high street. They are also easier on your pocket.
- Look out for the leaping bunny logo when you’re out shopping, and you will be sure that your products are free from animal testing.
- If you’re on holiday think twice before buying wildlife souvenirs. Some of them might have cost the life of a rare or endangered animal.
- Tell other people about animal-friendly shopping and how they can get involved.
- Find out more about animals and how you can help to protect them on the OneKind website.
This information has been developed in partnership with OneKind – HumanKind. AnimalKind. OneKind.
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