Living a cruelty-free life is most often defined as avoiding animal-based products as much as possible, as well as avoiding manufactured items that are tested on animals.
Go vegan. The best way to begin a cruelty-free life is to not eat animal-based foods, including eggs and dairy products.
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Buy products that say they are cruelty-free. This means they have not been tested on animals. Read the labels. This includes cosmetics, toiletries, household cleaners and laundry products.
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Avoid buying anything not labeled cruelty-free unless you know for a fact that the manufacturer does not test on animals.
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Use leather alternatives. They've come a long way, and many look and feel like the real thing.
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Avoid anything made of real fur. This includes clothing and novelty items. Pet toys are sometimes made with real fur. Check before you buy.
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Read labels carefully. Animal-derived ingredients appear when least expected. Collagen, for example, is normally derived from animals.
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Look it up. If you're unsure about the origin of an ingredient, there are several books on the market to assist consumers in deciphering ingredients. You can also find relevant information on Web sites.
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Stick with companies that you know do not use animal-derived ingredients and do not test their products on animals.
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Avoid down products. Synthetics are very advanced now and tend to be warmer, lighter and less allergenic than goose or duck down.
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Accept the fact that you can't avoid all animal products. For example, you may buy a chair that was manufactured using glue made partially from an animal-based ingredient.
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Do the best you can.
Tips & Warnings
There are hundreds of companies making everything from hair dye to shoe polish that do not test their products on animals. Many also do not use animal-derived ingredients in their products. In addition to being cruelty-free, these products tend to be less toxic to both people and the environment.
Let companies know why you are not using their products. Tell them you only buy cruelty-free products. This will make a difference. More and more companies are getting away from animal testing.
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