10 November 2011

Animal-Friendly Guide New Zealand First

Three gorgeous Kiwi actors are banding together tomorrow to protest the ugly side of the beauty industry by launching New Zealand's first-ever caring consumer guide, aiming to show how easy it is to avoid products tested on animals. Angela Bloomfield, Lisa Chappell and Elizabeth McMenamin will reveal how even beauty products have an ugly side.

The exciting new online consumer initiative 'SAFEshopper' is being produced by animal advocacy organisation SAFE. The group says that despite animal testing being widely condemned, tens of thousands of rabbits, mice and other animals are still commonly used in laboratories worldwide to test shampoos, lipsticks and household cleaners.

“Over 8,000 ingredients are available for commercial application without further testing yet cosmetics and household products sold in supermarkets, chemists and department stores are still being cruelly tested on animals. The website SAFEshopper.org.nz allows New Zealanders to find out which products are not tested on animals,” says SAFE campaign manager Mandy Carter.

SAFE is delighted to be teaming up with well-known actor and director Angela Bloomfield to empower everyday shoppers to become caring consumers. The familiar character Shortland Street and keen animal advocate is the face of SAFE¹s new campaign and she is pleased to be part of it.

"I strongly oppose the use of animals in cruel and unnecessary cosmetic tests and I’m excited to be involved in something that will make a big difference to reducing animal suffering,” says Angela.

The SAFEshopper.org.nz website includes nearly 100 companies that don¹t test ingredients or finished products on animals. It also identifies New Zealand companies as well as companies that are entirely vegan and cruelty free.

SAFEshopper.org.nz will be launched on November 10th.

Safe Shopper Celebrity Launch

Noon Thursday, 10 November 2011. Corner Customs St and Queen St, Lower Queen St, Auckland

Angela Bloomfield, Lisa Chappell and Elizabeth McMenamin will be appearing with special effects make-up to highlight the harm caused by testing products on animals. They will also be handing out free guide cards and products to Queen Street shoppers.

Consumers may be surprised at how many of the products and product ingredients available in New Zealand are imported from countries where they have been tested on animals.

The SAFE shopper lists products not tested on animals available in New Zealand. The online guide features a searchable list and downloadable pocket sized booklet. Also featured on the site is information on animal testing and an ‘actions’ section where consumers can find out what they can do to help stop testing on animals.

Tests used vary but animals may undergo experiments such as having chemicals applied to their skin or eyes to see what level of irritation and damage a substance would cause, or being dosed with substances to see if they cause cancer.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, if a company can ‘prove’ there is a need for testing a product or ingredient range on animals the National Animal Ethics Committee (NAEAC) could approve such experiments.

ENDS

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