Living a life by a set of principles can be really hard. I believe in "first do no harm". I am a vegetarian, do not use products of animal origin (such as leather) and do the best I can to make my footprint on the planet a light one.
This may sound pretty straight forward, but you know, it's very hard.
I have often used PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) list of companies who do and companies who don't test on animals list to inform many of my buying decisions. While I believe PETA's heart is in the right place, I am becoming quite disillusioned with them. Companies can easily move from one list to another without any transparency as to the reasons why. You can write to them, but alas, it would be in vain, as you wouldn't get the answers. For example, the Body Shop is a company who's founding principles is one of doing no hard to people, animals or the environment. Sadly they were sold to L'Oreal, who is a terrible company when it comes to the testing of animals. Now the Body Shop is blacklisted.
Companies such as Estee Lauder have simply moved from the good to the bad list with nary a reason in sight. How did they change from angelic to demonic overnight? When you write to the Estee Lauder company they will insist that they do not undertake animal testing or have it done on their behalf.
I am one of those people who cannot blindly play "follow the leader". I must have the facts at my disposal. I must understand WHY. Is PETA using their position to bully and mislead? I'd like to believe not.
Most of the companies and products that are sold in South Africa would be on PETA's blacklist. There is not a country specific list, so we are largely left in the dark.
I write to the companies in question and ask about their animal testing policies, and most of them deny any animal testing. I try to support South African brands, such as Tiger Brands, who assure me they do no animal testing.
As a South African and concerned citizen of the earth, I'd love more clarity so that I may live according to my guiding principles safe in the knowledge that I am still doing no harm.
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