Animal Testing -- STOP!!!

There's a magazine that's been subscribed at work for some of the classes to use. It's called "Present Perfect". So far, there've been two issues and I'm thoroughly enjoying the magazine cos of its lively content and intriguing information that gets me reflecting and thinking about certain issues (I hope the kids react this way too to this wonderful mag). And both the cover and the layout of the articles in the mag are well-designed and appealing because of the pictures and colours.

Anyway, one of the articles I read in the second issue, which surrounds the theme of vanity, evoked pretty strong emotions in me and prompted me to do some further research of my own. It's titled "The Evils of Make-up". I read how cosmetics manufacturers employ inhumane testing tactics on poor defenceless animals. Look at two of the pictures published in the article:

I mean, it's not like this is the first time I've heard of animal testing, but I guess I really never did think too much about it. However, this article has changed my view. Bunnies are subjected to such abhorrent living conditions and puppies are injected repeatedly with chemicals just to test for toxicity. And it's not just these two creatures that suffer at the brutal hands of humans. I read how a certain baboon was impregnated twice and, both times, her babies were infused with chemicals and literally ripped out of her stomach. Caustic substances are dripped into the eyes of conscious animals, which often scream and sometimes break their necks or back trying to escape from the searing pain and torture.

And I'll never forget the videos I saw online in the midst of my quest to find out more. I watched a video taken by this guy who went undercover and worked in an animal testing lab. The video featured a terrified monkey pinned down on a table by strong human hands which injected several substances into its body. In extreme agony, the poor creature started chewing on its own flesh as it started going insane. Just this was enough for me. I couldn't bring myself to watch the rest of the clip.

And the purpose of all these? To make us humans LOOK PRETTY?!!!!!!????

I also came across another video promoting awareness about animal abuse in everyday life. Battered dogs, limbless cats... all of these made me angry. But the one scene that disturbed me greatly was the part in which a chopper was placed against the neck of a tiny white kitten and sliced through its neck, virtually decapitating it. Usually, in movies, I can't stand watching gory scenes and would often close my eyes or turn away, and I utterly regret not doing so at the sight of the kitten. I think I didn't know what to expect at first, and by the time the horror sank in, it was too late.

Back to the make-up issue. I don't deny the fact that I use make-up too, and that's why I'm more determined to stop using my current brands of cosmetics if I find out they're into animal testing. And that doesn't just apply to make-up. Toiletries like shampoo, soap, even toothpaste... Grrrr.... You can be sure I'll be boycotting the brand if I find out they do animal testing!!! I checked out the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website and, according to them, the following well-known brands use animals in the development of their products:

1. P&G (includes Head & Shoulders Shampoo)

2. Johnson & Johnson (includes Clean & Clear products)

3. L'Oreal (that includes Maybelline cosmetics, which I used to buy! Argh! But I stopped a couple of years back. Thank goodness.)

4. Colgate-Palmolive

There are many other brands besides these listed on the PETA website, many of which I'm not familiar with or have not heard of, so only picked out the few major ones to list here. If anyone wants to find out more, just go to <http://www.peta.org/> and surf around. You'll find the correct link to click under 'Cruelty-free lifestyle' on this page.

I think consuming animals for food is one thing, but making use of them just to make ourselves pretty is too much. And guess what? No more leather bags for me if I can help it. I'll stick to vegan bags from now onwards. (Good! That also greatly reduces the likelihood of me splurging on a luxury brand now.)