5 easy steps to going cruelty-free
Starting your cruelty-free journey can be a little daunting, so here are some tips to help!
Realize it’s a process
Becoming an expert at anything new takes time, knowledge, and practice. Don’t expect perfection right away. Pick a starting point that you’re comfortable with and go!
Replace as you finish
Start by buying cruelty-free alternatives as you run out of the products that you’re currently using. This allows you to go at a manageable pace, so you aren’t overwhelmed with options for every product that you use, all at once.
Use cruelty-free resources
Finding cruelty-free alternatives has never been easier. There are a number of online resources and applications – Leaping Bunny, Logical Harmony, and Cruelty Free Kitty, just to name a few – that provide lists of cruelty-free products and companies to help you determine if a product you use, or would like to buy, is cruelty-free.
Do your own research
Simply doing a Google search, asking if a company is cruelty-free (and/or vegan), can help give you instant results. The packaging of a product can also give you clues. There are several well-known cruelty-free bunnies – the Leaping Bunny, the Caring Consumer, and the CCF Rabbit – that denote whether a product is cruelty-free. We have a “Know Your Bunnies” resource available that can provide some additional information on these helpful hares.
Remember you’re on your own journey
Everyone is on their own journey and will go at their own speed. Take steps that you find to be manageable and try not to compare yourself to anyone else. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like your pace is too slow. It’s progress, not perfection.
Realize it’s a process
Becoming an expert at anything new takes time, knowledge, and practice. Don’t expect perfection right away. Pick a starting point that you’re comfortable with and go!
Replace as you finish
Start by buying cruelty-free alternatives as you run out of the products that you’re currently using. This allows you to go at a manageable pace, so you aren’t overwhelmed with options for every product that you use, all at once.
Use cruelty-free resources
Finding cruelty-free alternatives has never been easier. There are a number of online resources and applications – Leaping Bunny, Logical Harmony, and Cruelty Free Kitty, just to name a few – that provide lists of cruelty-free products and companies to help you determine if a product you use, or would like to buy, is cruelty-free.
Do your own research
Simply doing a Google search, asking if a company is cruelty-free (and/or vegan), can help give you instant results. The packaging of a product can also give you clues. There are several well-known cruelty-free bunnies – the Leaping Bunny, the Caring Consumer, and the CCF Rabbit – that denote whether a product is cruelty-free. We have a “Know Your Bunnies” resource available that can provide some additional information on these helpful hares.
Remember you’re on your own journey
Everyone is on their own journey and will go at their own speed. Take steps that you find to be manageable and try not to compare yourself to anyone else. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like your pace is too slow. It’s progress, not perfection.
Know your bunnies
Product labeling can be difficult to decipher, and there are many brands that market “Not tested on animals” that are not truly cruelty-free. Don’t be fooled by fake cruelty-free claims and logos – be sure you know your bunnies!
LEAPING BUNNY
The Leaping Bunny Program has become the gold standard for cruelty-free products. The program is managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and Cruelty Free International. Leaping Bunny Certification signifies that a brand does not engage in any animal testing of their finished product or ingredients (including ingredients from outside suppliers). The program only certifies the company does not test on animals, it does not guarantee a product’s ingredient composition (i.e. vegan, organic, etc…). Read the Leaping Bunny Standard here.
The Leaping Bunny logo is an easy, quick way to check a products cruelty-free status, but not all brands that are certified are logo users. Although certification is free, brands must purchase the logo in order to use it in their marketing. For a comprehensive list of all Leaping Bunny Certified brands, always check the Leaping Bunny website.
LEAPING BUNNY
The Leaping Bunny Program has become the gold standard for cruelty-free products. The program is managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and Cruelty Free International. Leaping Bunny Certification signifies that a brand does not engage in any animal testing of their finished product or ingredients (including ingredients from outside suppliers). The program only certifies the company does not test on animals, it does not guarantee a product’s ingredient composition (i.e. vegan, organic, etc…). Read the Leaping Bunny Standard here.
The Leaping Bunny logo is an easy, quick way to check a products cruelty-free status, but not all brands that are certified are logo users. Although certification is free, brands must purchase the logo in order to use it in their marketing. For a comprehensive list of all Leaping Bunny Certified brands, always check the Leaping Bunny website.
PETA BEAUTY WITHOUT BUNNIES PROGRAM
PETA also offers a certification to brands that pledge to be cruelty-free. PETA offers two types of logos: Cruelty-Free and Cruelty-Free & Vegan (for entirely vegan product lines). Like Leaping Bunny, brands must purchase the logo to display on their products, so be sure to their website or the Bunny Free app for an up-to-date list.
PETA also offers a certification to brands that pledge to be cruelty-free. PETA offers two types of logos: Cruelty-Free and Cruelty-Free & Vegan (for entirely vegan product lines). Like Leaping Bunny, brands must purchase the logo to display on their products, so be sure to their website or the Bunny Free app for an up-to-date list.
CHOOSE CRUELTY-FREE (CCF)
CCF is an Australia based organization that also offers a cruelty-free pledge and certification. CCF Certification verifies the brand and its manufacturers do not perform on any animal testing on their products or ingredients. Learn more about the CCF criteria for accreditation here.
CCF is an Australia based organization that also offers a cruelty-free pledge and certification. CCF Certification verifies the brand and its manufacturers do not perform on any animal testing on their products or ingredients. Learn more about the CCF criteria for accreditation here.
CERTIFIED VEGAN
The Certified Vegan logo is a trademark that is administered by the Vegan Awareness Foundation that certifies a product does not contain animal products, byproducts, or animal derived ingredients, and has not been tested on animals. Brands that are owned by non-vegan parents can still be accredited as Certified Vegan under the program. Read more about companies that are Certified Vegan here.
The Certified Vegan logo is a trademark that is administered by the Vegan Awareness Foundation that certifies a product does not contain animal products, byproducts, or animal derived ingredients, and has not been tested on animals. Brands that are owned by non-vegan parents can still be accredited as Certified Vegan under the program. Read more about companies that are Certified Vegan here.