HUNDREDS of thousands animals suffer and die every year in testing, just for cosmetics.
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Animals such as cute mice, harmless rats, fluffy rabbits, little guinea pigs and even friendly dogs are just a few of the innocent animals that suffer because we are obsessed with our appearance.
These animals endure harsh treatment with no pain relief. Companies do this to test their new, not used, beauty products or ingredients to ensure that there will be no side effects when they are distributed to the public, according to The Humane Society.
Some countries spend billions of dollars for the testing of cosmetics on animals every year. This is spending billions harming, and killing innocent animals every year, all so people can get rid of a few wrinkles, or find the perfect tone of blush.
All of this, when we could be spending billions on schools, hospitals and saving our environment. Instead, we are killing it.
I think it's time to ask ourselves, is that necessary?
You might ask yourself the question, what do they do with the animals after they are done testing on them?
Well, offering up millions of injured mice, rabbits, dogs, and guinea pigs for adoption just isn't practical. And while this is not right, can you think of someone that would buy an injured, sick, and shaved rabbit over a cute little baby one? If you know someone, then I applaud them. If not, then I understand.
Not many people would choose that. It just isn't practical.
Once animals are no longer required for testing purposes, they're gassed, decapitated, shot, or electrocuted and thrown away like garbage, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - better known as PETA. Some animals are even killed before the experiment even takes place.
In contrast, big name companies like RSPCA and The Body Shop do not "test on their animals" and "we've never tested our products on animals" which are quotes from consumer advocacy group Choice's website.
It is always great news to hear that our big companies don't accept this kind of behaviour.
However, not all governments believe in this kind of treatment and have made it illegal. India, Israel, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia are a few of the countries who have rightfully made this illegal. In Australia, it was officially declared illegal on the July 1, 2020.
Despite this, much of the world's population and countries still participate in this kind of evil. This needs to change. Luckily, many big industries have stopped doing this. For instance, the business Dove does not test on animals. They have not done this for over 30 years which is great to hear.
They are one of the few companies along with The Body Shop, Dove, Zoya and Nivea that do not sell animal cruelty products.
How can you tell if something is animal cruelty free? You check for a picture of a Leaping Bunny, the acronym PETA, or Choose Cruelty Free logo on the packaging.
It is great to hear that so many industries and business care about this topic and are trying to help.
So please, do your part and buy animal cruelty free cosmetics the next time you shop.
- Olivia Radisich writes for The Courier's youth publishing platform SHOUT
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