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.)

“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.

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!

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.

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

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