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Frequently Asked Questions

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Animals are sentient beings who think and feel just as we do. But, unlike humans who can volunteer to participate in clinical research, for example, animals have no choice and are unable to give their consent. Like humans, however, animals do feel pain and can exhibit distress through vocalizations, facial expressions, and physiological changes, such as changes in their blood chemistry. Because of the tremendous suffering involved, the use of animals in research, testing, and education is ethically indefensible. There are humane alternatives that can be used in place of animals, especially in the areas of product testing and education. Furthermore, research and testing data acquired through animal use is not applicable to human conditions due to the many physiological differences between animals and humans, and to variability in experimental conditions.

Not only will using alternatives spare animals from unnecessary pain and suffering, it will also provide more reliable information. By using human tissue and cells, data collected from research and testing can be directly applied to human conditions and disease. Additionally, alternatives to dissection are often more cost-effective, and students can learn just as well using virtual computer programs, models, or manikins than students who perform traditional animal dissections.

Ingredients from many household, personal care, and cosmetic products are tested on animals, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, and rats. Household cleaners, bleach, sunscreen, lotion, lipstick, and shampoo are a just a few examples of products that may involve testing on animals. Oftentimes these tests are extremely painful and animals are usually killed when the test ends. In addition, there is no law requiring companies in the U.S. to use animal tests to assess the safety of their products. You can be a compassionate consumer and shop cruelty-free by buying only from companies that do not engage in animal testing of any kind. Click here to learn more about product testing.

The best way to know if a company is truly cruelty-free, is to look for the Leaping Bunny Logo. Leaping Bunny is a cruelty-free certification program, which is chaired by AAVS. You can request a copy of our Compassionate Shopping Guide, or download Leaping Bunny’s cruelty-free apps to make cruelty-free shopping even easier! Click here to learn more.

No matter who we are, we can all do something to help animals, and AAVS’s online activist program makes taking action on their behalf easy. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can voice your opinions about animal use to those who have the power to initiate positive change, like policy-makers, regulators, legislators, and company CEOs. These important people will listen to you, because in many cases, their livelihoods depend on you as constituent and consumer. The actions of AAVS supporters who have taken action through our website have helped to stop several airlines from transporting primates for research and made permanent retirement for government supported chimpanzees possible. Take action now, and make a difference for animals today! For more about consumer choices, please read: “The Power of One: Product Testing, Animals and Consumer Choices”  By Crystal Schaeffer AV Magazine, November 2010

It is only through the generosity of our members and supporters that AAVS is able to continue its vital work on behalf of animals. Your donations help to sustain our campaigns and outreach programs, inform the public about the horrors of laboratory research and product testing, and fund the development of alternatives to animal use in science and education.
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