Living Cruelty Free

Heather Chase, founder of Models with Conscience (MWC), is an advocate for "cruelty-free products." In this book, she urges people to use cosmetics made from natural substances, wear nothing made from animals (including wool or leather) and eat only vegetarian foods. She has written a book in ersponse to the need to bring awareness.

A longtime pet owner, Chase grew increasingly dismayed by the cosmetic industry's propensity to test products on animals, often with little regard for their welfare; this prompted her to form MWC, which promotes cruelty-free products. In her (apparently irony-free) words, "There are three main criteria for becoming a Models with Conscience affiliate: a pleasing physical appearance, genuine compassion for animals, and the ability to radiate confidently in front of the camera."

The most useful sections of the book are the lists of "cruelty-free companies" as well as animal-derived ingredients.

Some of the most famous cruelty-free beauty brands are: Almay, Avon, Aveda, The Body Shop, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay, Principal Secret and Revlon. A complete list of well over 500 cruelty-free companies is available in "Beauty Without the Beasts".

According to survey research, 60% of women say they prefer to buy products that were not tested on animals so there may be a market for Chase's information, though perhaps not her platitudes.

Have confidence that when you finish reading "Beauty Without the Beasts," you will be pleased you did and will begin to make simple choices in your everyday life that will directly benefit you, animals, and the planet.

Lantern Books
From Models With Conscience:
Ten simple ways to help animals, the environment, and yourself:

1. Favor a plant-based diet

Benefits: Reduces the suffering of farmed animals, benefits personal health, improves environmental quality, and eases world hunger

Resources: The Mail Order Catalog for Healthy Eating, The Food Revolution, The Vegan Sourcebook, etc.

2. Use cruelty-free personal care and household products

Benefits: Reduces the suffering of animals used in product testing experiments and as sources for animal-derived ingredients

Resources: Aubrey Organics, Tom’s of Maine, and approximately 500 more companies in Beauty Without the Beasts

3. Choose animal-free apparel

Benefits: Reduces the suffering of animals who are farmed, trapped, and hunted for their fur, skin, feathers, tusks, etc.

Resources: Green Marketplace, A Different Daisy, Vegan Mercantile, and more companies in Beauty Without the Beasts

4. Adopt a companion animal from your local shelter

Benefits: Saves the life of an animal who may otherwise be euthanized, curbs the use of puppy and kitten mills to fill pet stores

Resources: Your local pound, animal shelter, humane society, or SPCA, such as those listed at World Animal Net

5. Spay or neuter your companion animal

Benefits: Reduces pet overpopulation and the euthanization of healthy, adoptable dogs and cats in overcrowded animal shelters

Resources: Your local veterinarian or spay/neuter clinic, details and discount spay/neuter vouchers at Pets 911

6. View wildlife in its natural habitat, not in captivity

Benefits: Reduces the suffering of animals held in zoos and marine parks, promotes wildlife conservation and eco-tourism

Resources: Fact sheets at The Animals Voice, wildlife viewing travel services offered through Gaiam, etc.

7. Choose entertainment that does not involve animal abuse

Benefits: Reduces the suffering of animals used in bullfights, rodeos, circuses, traveling animal acts, greyhound races, etc.

Resources: Fact sheets at The Animals Voice, animal-free circuses listed in Beauty Without the Beasts

8. Speak out on animal and environmental issues

Benefits: Helps animals and the environment, makes your voice heard in decision-making processes of governments and companies

Resources: Action alerts from various animal and environmental protection organizations at Black Rhinoceros

9. Choose environmentally friendly products and ways of living

Benefits: Preserves wildlife habitat, improves the quality of the soil, water, and air that both animals and people depend on

Resources: Abundant Earth, Green Marketplace, Real Goods, Tree Givers, etc.

10. Encourage children to respect animals and the environment

Benefits: Cultivates responsibility, awareness, compassion, and kindness in future generations

http://www.modelswc.com/
Resources: Materials from National Association for Humane and Environmental Education and American Humane Association