People may disagree about whether humans have the right to kill animals or use them in scientific research. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult to support the scale of animal exploitation happening in the U.S. in 2019.

By the numbers

  • Meat consumption is at an all-time high, but we still throw away about 30% of the available supply of meat every year. In 2014, that was 133 billion pounds wasted.
  • Most animal research in the U.S. is conducted for consumer products, not life-saving breakthrough drugs or medical procedures.
  • Four million minks are crudely electrocuted or gassed on factory farms in the U.S. every year in for their fur.

Many consumers are aware of statistics like these and don’t want to participate. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to recognize that animals are living, sentient creatures, not simply commodities, and the level of commercial exploitation they suffer in the U.S. is excessive and unnecessary.

One way to reduce the suffering is to support companies that don’t use animal products. There are extensive cruelty-free options available in nearly every consumer category now: nutritious and flavorful plant-based meat and dairy alternatives; sophisticated faux leather and wool, or clothing and accessory lines that simply avoid animal-derived materials; and cosmetics and personal product companies that never test on animals.

Doing good is good business

It’s not just a matter of personal conviction, either. Choosing cruelty-free products shifts demand away from traditional animal-based goods toward animal-friendly ones. While consumers are making their principles more visible, they’re also making cruelty-free products more profitable. That builds the market, makes animal-friendly brands more profitable and encourages other companies a reason to consider the growing market of cruelty-free products.

At Orange Orchard, we connect ethical entrepreneurs with the socially and environmentally responsible consumers who support and build their brands. We specialize in cruelty-free public relations, and we’re passionate about telling stories of companies doing the right thing. If you have a product or service that’s making the world better for animals, contact Orange Orchard online or call (865) 977-1973.