by Kate McKee

Created on: December 08, 2009

 What is an animal friendly business? The term 'animal friendly' usually refers to a company which does not use animal ingredients or by- products, and which does not test its products on animals. So, an animal friendly business produces vegan products: food products that contain no animal ingredients or derivatives; clothes and shoes that are made from plant based or synthetic materials; household products and cosmetics that have not been tested on animals.

 In what ways do these businesses positively impact society? There are many, but they fall into three basic categories: firstly, and most obviously, animal friendly businesses are kinder to animals. Secondly, they benefit the environment. And thirdly, animal friendly businesses almost always have a good record of general social responsibility towards their fellow human beings.

 Let's have a look at these three areas in more detail:

Animals

 Animal friendly businesses find alternative ways of manufacturing the products that we all use on a daily basis, including food, clothing, shoes, cosmetics and household cleaners. These businesses put time and money into researching new ways of providing for the needs of consumers that do not involve killing animals or using their derivatives. Animal friendly businesses believe that it is neither right nor necessary to use animals for human convenience, and they have shown that a vegan lifestyle is achievable without any great sacrifice. These businesses also shun the cruel and often unnecessary practice of animal testing. They have developed alternative methods of testing products such as stem cell testing, human skin model tests, or micro-dosing of human volunteers. Animal friendly businesses also tend to act as powerful advocates of animal rights, providing information on cruel practices and supporting animal rights charities.

The Environment

 The livestock industry has a devastating impact on the environment. Agricultural animals use resources: they have to be housed, fed, watered, treated, slaughtered, processed and transported. Take the example of leather: animal feed needs to be grown to feed the cattle. This involves the use of land, fertilizers, water, electricity, processing and transportation. The cattle have to be housed, which uses more land and resources. They have to be treated with antibiotics and vaccines. When ready for slaughter, the animals have to be transported to a slaughter house, killed and skinned. Then the hides are

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