Cruelty-free

Cruelty-free is a movement that seeks to avoid all products of cruelty.

Beginnings of the movement

The cruelty-free movement has developed from veganism into a philosophy of life that aims to avoid all the products of cruelty to humans or animals.Although the movement has amplified its force in recent years, it was started by Lady Dowding in the 1950’s who introduced the term “cruelty-free.” The animal rights activist pressured cosmetic companies to embrace the idea of “beauty without cruelty.” Although it was Dowding who coined the term, the movement was popularized in the United States by fashion model Monica Pearson. Some argue that the term “cruelty-free” on packaging is misleading. According to The Vegan Sourcebook by Joanne Stepaniak, there is a difference between “animal-free” and “cruelty-free.” While “cruelty-free” ensures that “neither the independent ingredients nor the finished product were tested on animals,” “animal-free” went a step further by excluding any animal byproducts as well as not testing on animals.

Cruelty to Animals

The driving force behind animal rights activists and those who believe in the cruelty-free movement is the cruelty that animals undergo in the factory farming and fur industries. An article published on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal’s website describes the horror that goes into producing animals for food or clothing. Millions of animals are killed annually in slaughterhouses and fur farms, where they suffer for the entirety of their lives. To save money, they are killed in the cheapest (and most painful) ways possible including suffocation, electrocution, gassing and poisoning.2 Animals are cut and skinned alive on fur farms while they are still conscious, crammed into tiny transportation vehicles and tied up and beaten alive.2 The only concern is producing the finished product. PETA is often known as an overly-radical organization that takes fighting for animal rights to the extreme. At the same time, no one is fighting for the animals and without them, they don’t stand a chance.

Products Avoided

Products avoided include those that contain part of a dead animal or materials obtained from an animal by means of cruelty (such as keeping the animal in a confined space or separating mother from child etc.). Also avoided are products of child slavery and sweatshop labour. Also avoided are products of child slavery and sweatshop labour. On Peta.org there is a searchable database of companies and products that are “cruelty-free.” They also provide extensive information on carrying out the efforts of the cruelty-free movement.

Veganism

The most extreme lifestyle that takes shape around the cruelty-free movement is veganism. According to Vegan.org, to be a vegan you must avoid all flesh and dairy products as well as exclude fur, leather, wool, down, and any products tested on animals from your lifestyle.3 It is said to be the rawest extension of vegetarianism and the number of animal lives proven to be saved can be enough to convince a person to make a lifestyle choice. Nonetheless, there are many critics out there against veganism—mainly regarding health and the impossibility factor. Avoiding all animal foods such as milk or eggs seems impossible and would probably make it really difficult to eat at any regular restaurant. However, to life a life that you are sure does not harm another one, you must commit to veganism.

Events

National Cruelty-Free Week is an event in the United Kingdom every year arranged by the BUAV. The 2006 event was from 17–23 July. Other, similar, events include: National Vegetarian Week, UK Vegan Week and World Vegan Day, which takes place each year on November 1.

External links

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