It is estimated that more than 100 million animals are used in experiments each year in the United States. As someone who adores all animals and has a genuine soft spot for them in my heart, this statement makes me feel disgusted. Animal testing is a serious issue in the United States that needs to be put to a stop. Millions of innocent animals are suffering and tormented for the use of our daily products.

According to CrueltyFreeInternational, animal testing is any scientific experiment or test in which a live animal is forced to undergo something likely to cause them pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm. Surprisingly, a large variety of animal species is commonly used in experiments, as well as wild animals. These animals include mice, rabbits, monkeys, birds, and sadly, animals that may even live in your home, like dogs and cats. By studying animals, it is easier to obtain information. Instead of testing products through volunteer human subjects, “scientists” test these through harmless animals who have no choice but to succumb to the testing. While in laboratories, animals are denied freedom of movement and control over their lives. They are forced to live in cages, pens, or Perspex boxes-some are even confined on their own, no other companions.

Many countries have already banned animal testing, why can’t we? Some governments around the world have already banned the testing of products on animals. Countries like the European Union, Israel, India, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea, and New Zealand have ultimately banned testing. As the United States has sadly not banned the testing of animals, you can make a difference by supporting cruelty-free companies instead of the ones who choose to test on these creatures. Eventually, industries will understand that they will not be getting your money unless they stop testing on animals. There are dozens of cruelty-free alternatives, some of which being sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues (better known as vitro methods), having advanced computer-modeling techniques (silico models), and studies with human volunteers.

You can shop cruelty-free easily. There are, surprisingly, thousands of companies that do not test on animals, including many popular ones like Kylie Cosmetics & Skin, Covergirl, Curology, Function of Beauty, and many others. You can find an entire list of cruelty-free brands on the website, CrueltyFreeKitty! Many of these brands are non-toxic, more natural options that make these products entirely better and healthier for your skin and body! As well, many cruelty-free brands are budget-friendly. If you do not know how and want to find out if your products are cruelty-free, look for a small, certified cruelty-free bunny logo on the packaging of the product. Another way in which you can find if the products you use or companies you buy from are cruelty-free is by downloading and using a cruelty-free app. These apps give you thousands of cruelty-free companies that you can buy from. As someone who is no longer trying to buy non-cruelty-free products, these apps help me pinpoint which brands I should buy from and which I should not; I specifically use the app Bunny Free App (PETA), though the others are just as reliable.

I honestly believe this practice is horrible and heartbreaking and needs to be stopped. We can truly find better alternatives, in not only testing on animals but also the brands and products we use. Innocent animals do not deserve to live a trapped, sufferable life just because of the products we use, and I hope you, too, can see that these tests need to be banned for good.