Something that has always confused me, and you’ve probably explained in an earlier post, is why the list of companies at Leaping Bunny is so different from the PETA Caring Consumer list of companies that don’t test on animals. I’ve always assumed the distinction is whether testing occurs on raw materials vs. finished products, and whether or not the company has jumped through all the hoops to satisfy the more precise requirements of Leaping Bunny. Is that right?
So, what I really want to know is how do you feel about the PETA Caring Consumer list? And why does PETA list L’Oreal as a cruel company, but then list some of L’Oreal’s subsidiaries as not-cruel?
Hi!
You’re spot on in your theory of why the PETA list is different from the Leaping Bunny list — the PETA list only specifies that the final products must be animal-testing-free, while the Leaping Bunny specifies that the raw materials as well as the finished products must be animal testing free. Which is why the Leaping Bunny is better! (That’s why I describe PETA companies as being 50%-cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny companies as being 100%-cruelty-free.) The hoops the Leaping Bunny people make companies jump through to be on the Leaping Bunny list really aren’t that big — the companies have to sign a form saying they never test on animals, and their suppliers have to sign a form saying they won’t sell any products to that company that have been tested on animals. Those are the hoops. Pretty minimal, no? (Though from what I’ve heard, it may be difficult for small companies to get their suppliers to sign the form sometimes — the suppliers just refuse. But there’s no reason for a large company to have that problem.) (I have a few companies I am really looking forward to adding to my list of cruelty-free companies — they’re just waiting for their suppliers to stop holding them up, apparently. I’ve got my fingers crossed for them . . . )
The L’Oreal situation is a little weird, I will admit. Basically, L’Oreal does test its raw materials and finished products on animals, so neither the Leaping Bunny nor PETA will list it. For good reason! However, L’Oreal has one subsidiary that doesn’t test its raw materials or finished products on animals (The Body Shop), so both the Leaping Bunny and PETA list the Body Shop as being cruelty-free. (And I recommend buying from the Body Shop — it gives money to L’Oreal to not test on animals, and that is a good thing.)
So — basically, to answer your question, I feel that the PETA Caring Consumer list is inadequate and only 50%-cruelty-free, but the Leaping Bunny list is wonderful and 100%-cruelty-free, since it requires companies to certify that their raw ingredients are cruelty-free. I feel bad saying that — PETA does many fantastic things and 50%-cruelty-free is a LOT better than 0%-cruelty-free, so the PETA Caring Consumer list is useful for products that don’t come in 100%-cruelty-free form.
Anyway — I hope that cleared up your questions, and please remember these are just my thoughts — I don’t think everyone should agree with me all the time. 
Regards,
Categories : dear emily
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Peter Walker - emergingchristian.com
April 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hi Emily! I’m not prone to wear makeup, but interesting read nonetheless. I’m surprised that PETA of all organizations provides an inadequate evaluation system. Disappointing.
I’ve been a vegetarian for ALMOST 5 months now!! And the funny thing is, I don’t really miss meat. As I’ve confessed, I have made a few exceptions - mostly in trying to be a polite guest (I don’t have any intentions of fighting a battle with my in-laws, who are very kind meat eaters). I’ve had fish a couple of times too.
But 98% of the time, I’m meat free - mostly eating tofu and tempeh (I LOVE tempeh).
I really do find that I’m more comfortable in my own skin, knowing my diet isn’t the source of suffering. Now, there are other parts of my life that are less consistent… I work in a relatively formal business environment, and haven’t found an AFFORDABLE alternative to leather dress shoes.
And I have a vintage leather sportcoat that I just can’t give up.
Hmmm… does that mean fashion is more important to me than humane living? I’m convicting myself as I type. Argh…
Thanks for writing, Emily.
Peter
Peter Walker - emergingchristian.com
April 15th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Oh yeah, I’ve decided to become a paying member of PETA this month. Just got a letter from them about the use of domestic dog and cat fur in China for fur clothing. The treatment is horrific.
Emily
April 18th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hi Peter!
Wow! Congratulations on 5 months of vegetarianism! I’m THRILLED to hear you don’t miss meat. Was it a difficult transition for you?
Hee, I seriously had trouble with being the polite guest while trying to go vegetarian. My mom raised me to never be a picky eater as a guest, and it mortified me to tell people I couldn’t eat their homemade meals. Ah, I cringe at those memories . . .
98% meat free is quite the accomplishment! And loving tempeh! Nice! And are feeling happier in your own skin! It’s just a more peaceful way to live, isn’t it?
Oh My God, I really feel you on the lack of nice nonleather options for footwear! I used to only buy Ecco leather shoes for work, and lately I’ve been branching out to Marshalls cheap shoes (lots of nonleather options!), and they’re just so cheap-looking and poor quality and uncomfortable. I wish Ecco would make some vegan shoes . . .
Ah yes, like your leather sportscoat, I have a Coach handbag from my pre-vegetarian days I just can’t bear to give up. It’s so cute! And well-made. I get compliments on it all the time. But I do feel guilty about it . . .
Congratulations on becoming a paying member of PETA! Other than the animal-testing thing, PETA does amazing work
Dani-Lyn
June 16th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I’m glad you mentioned The Body Shop in your post. I have worked for the company since 2006 I think shortly before or after I started L’oreal bought the company. I don’t know how many times someone says to me: So now that L’oreal owns this company you are no longer cruelty free, right.” I get to spend forever explaining to them that we are not L’oreal. Thanks for letting people know that The Body Shop is still cruelty free.
And like you and Peter I have a leather item I can’t give up. But it was a gift and I find it worse to throw it away, b/c I feel like the animal died for no reason then. I also have to wear “special” shoes due to a bone disease and I can only get those with leather, but I do buy the ones with the least amount of leather.
Emily
June 17th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Hi Dani-Lyn!
How nice to hear from you! I’m glad to meet another person who fully understands the complex cruelty-free nature of the Body Shop.
Yes! I totally agree with you on not throwing away leather items — it would mean an animal died for no reason. And yeah, we all do what we can, we’re not perfect. Cruelty-freeism is a spectrum!
ray
February 27th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
hello I’m confused, from what I have read about peta’s list it is very extensive and companies also have to sign an agreement, maybe I need to read it again but Peta is so hardcore in animal rights I cannot believe that their list is not totally thorough.
“Companies listed either have signed PETA’s statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that they pledge not to do so in the future.” this is what they say, so its ingredients too not just finished product.
Emily
March 12th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Hi Ray!
You’ve just run into the most teeth-gnashing element of doublespeak in animal testing! The problem is that most cosmetics companies — Aveda, for example — make up their products with oils, creams, etc. they bought from companies that sell raw ingredients. Aveda doesn’t harvest coconuts or mine for minerals or anything like that. So, the fact that Aveda has signed PETA’s statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that Aveda does not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that Aveda pledges not to do so in the future is NOT animal-testing proof. Say Aveda bought oils and creams from CruelToRabbitsOils&CreamsSupplier. There’s nothing in the statement Aveda signed preventing CruelToRabbitsOils&CreamSupplier from doing testing on animals, is there? CruelToRabbitsOils&CreamsSupplier didn’t sign any statement or make any promises. It can drip all kinds of things in rabbits’ eyes, then turn around and sell them to Aveda no questions asked.
The question is — do you want to buy a product that is 100%-not-tested on animals, or one whose ingredients may further up the supply chain have been tested on animals? If you want 100%-not-tested on animals, buy products whose supply chains are animal-testing-free, and have the words “INGREDIENTS and final product not tested on animals” or have the Leaping Bunny logo.
(I don’t mean to imply anything bad about Aveda here, it’s just an example of a company that signed PETA’s Caring Consumer pledge but not the Leaping Bunny more extensive pledge. I also don’t mean to say anything bad about PETA — other than its lax animal-testing requirements, I think it’s a fantastic organization.)
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