DOGS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN THE
WORLD’S FIRST UN ANIMAL PROTEST - Protesting animals unite in support of The Body
Shop and Cruelty Free International’s campaign to ban animal testing in
cosmetics globally – - Campaign challenges United Nations to end practice
which harms up to 500,000 animals in cruel tests every year – - The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International
call on all cruelty-free companies to support the campaign -
The world’s first animal protest outside the headquarters of
the United Nations took place in New York today.
The protest, which included 8 dogs of different breeds and
sizes, was in support of Forever Against
Animal Testing, a joint campaign by
international beauty company The Body Shop and leading organisation working to
end animal experiments, Cruelty Free International. The dogs took to the
streets with protest signs, bandanas and miniature banners in show of their
support.
The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International were joined by
influential pet photographer @TheDogist, who has previously supported the
campaign in Canada and the US, and influential Instagram pet influencer @louboutinanyc.
The protest aimed to highlight the shocking fact that 80% of
countries worldwide still have no laws banning cosmetic animal tests and
encourage consumers to support the campaign by signing the global petition at http://www.foreveragainstanimaltesting.com.
Once the petition reaches 8 million signatures, The Body Shop
and Cruelty Free International will present it to the United Nations, calling
for an international convention to ban animal testing on cosmetics to protect
millions of animals around the world. Last week, the organisations met with UN
officials to progress discussions on the topic.
Having gathered 4.1 million signatures in the last six
months, the petition is now the biggest ever against animal testing in
cosmetics. The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International are inviting all
companies that are against cosmetic animal testing to pledge support for the
campaign, and is supplying assets to help other companies and their employees
get involved.
In September 2017, The Body Shop was acquired from L’Oreal by
Natura, the Brazilian-listed multi-national cosmetics company, which is
cruelty-free and a publicly-listed B Corp.
Both Natura and The Body Shop’s new sister company, Aesop, have today
officially backed the campaign.
Jessie
Macneil-Brown, Head of Global Campaigns, The Body Shop, says:
“At The Body Shop we believe passionately in animal welfare and that animals
shouldn’t be used for cosmetic testing. We staged our animal protest with dogs,
as they have been a powerful symbol for us throughout our Forever Against
Animal Testing campaign, representing the
relationship we have with animals and connecting with our cruelty-free
supporters. This unique protest is symbolic of our huge ambition for ending
cosmetic animal testing globally. We are now calling on every person, every
company and every government to join our campaign, and help us finish what we
started”.
Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International says:
“Today’s protest sends a strong message to consumers and brands around the
world that we need their support. We have made huge progress towards our goal
of banning animal testing for cosmetics, but there is still work to be done. We
want to see every company that is against animal testing pledge their support
and encourage their customers to do the same”.
Elias
Friedman, photographer at @TheDogist, said “I supported The Body Shop’s Forever
Against Animal Testing campaign when it launched, and it’s great to be here at
home in New York at the first ever pet protest at the United Nations. The
protesting dogs represent all animals and remind us why animal testing in
cosmetics should be banned once and for all.”
- ENDS -
About the photos
The photos were
taken at 10am EST in New York, working with professional dog training and
veterinary support. An excellent standard of care was provided for participating animals, and Rational
Animal as well as Cruelty Free International consulted to ensure the stunt was
structured in a way that causes no distress to the animals.
About The Body Shop
Founded in 1976
in Brighton, England, by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand.
The Body Shop seeks to make a positive difference in the world by offering
high-quality, naturally-inspired skincare, hair care and make-up produced
ethically and sustainably. The Body Shop pioneered the philosophy that business
can be a force for good and this ethos is still the brand’s driving force. The
Body Shop has more than 3,000 stores in more than 60 countries.
About Cruelty Free International:
Cruelty
Free International is the leading organisation working to create a world where
nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals. One of the world's longest standing and most
respected animal protection organisations, it is widely regarded as an
authority on animal testing issues and called upon by governments, media,
corporations and official bodies for advice and expert opinion.
THANK YOU FOR READING :)
#TheBodyShop
