>It's pretty well-known that P&G does extensive animal testing on their >products. By their own admission they have cut down but not eliminated >testing. I don't think one will have a problem finding this info. One >doesn't have to be a member of PETA to be concerned about animal testing, >or about buying ferret/cat/dog food from a company that tests household >products on animals. >Ronnie DiComo What kind of product animal testing does P&G do and what are the independent, unbiased sources? It is not enough to say that P&G or any other company engages in animal testing - especially when that company has a division making pet products. It would be irresponsible to market a product designed for an animal companion without first making sure it was safe for that creature. That is a far cry from strapping a white rabbit down and spraying cosmetics in its eyes, or engaging in vivisection. The question is valid and remains - what kind of product animal testing does P&G do and what are the independent, unbiased sources? PeTA and other animal rights groups have an agenda that makes some of their claims less than totally honest and sometimes - as was seen this week with the PeTA "Got Beer" ad campaign aimed at underage college students - less than responsible. It is not enough to say that it is "pretty well-known" without verifiable sources. After all, it is "pretty well-known" that P&G is a front for Satanic organizations - that is what the logo of the man in the moon and stars means. At least that is what the urban legends would have us believe. Every few years, that "pretty well-known" fact crops up and causes P&G headaches. As the animal companion community has become more and more aware of abuses in industry, the term "animal testing" has developed decidedly negative connotations. The trouble is, that the term covers a wide range of practices that range from the beneficial to the irresponsible and cruel and everything in between. It can be said that some of the shelters on the FML who make ferret sleep sacks and other ferret-related items engage in "animal testing." Each of those items has been "tested" on the ferrets in the shelter and appropriate design modifications have been made to make those items better. Not one ferret was traumatized mentally or physically - in fact, if experiences here are any indication, the ferrets had a ball. I have made many different toys for the ferrets here and each time have made changes once the ferrets have tested the initial designs. [Posted in FML issue 2994]