The Fight for the Equal Treatment of Animals

Wolfe1

Garrett Wolfe

Ms. Johnson

ENG 1302

22 November 2016

The Fight for the Equal Treatment of Animals

Our world today fails to provide animals with a basic level of humane respect. A large portion of mass animal abuse can be aimed a tpointed to the cosmetic and scientific fields, where they use of animals as test-subjects in a variety of experiments is commonly practiced. The Humane Society International, a non-profit organization dedicated to end animal testing, estimates that over 115 million animals are killed due to laboratory experiments every year. In an effort to bring awareness to such astonishing statistics, the Society for the Protection of Animals launched a social-awareness campaign aimed at bringing this widespread epidemic into the minds eyes of the global public. One of SPA’s main advertisements depicts a puppy being used as a cosmetic perfume spray and, the caption reading, “Help us fight the effects of cosmetic testing.” The direct use of a puppy alongside the combination of a product that is used by millions conveys the message that animals are being treated horridly because of unknown testing hidden from public view. The advertisement points to the animal being used inhumanely and, sendsing a clear moral message that animal testing violates human ethics. Overall, SPA’s advertisement of an animal being used as a cosmetic item suggests that inhumane treatment still exists in a modern world that ironically proclaims equality for everyone - unless they’re an animal.

The fact that a picture can speak a million words is extremely crucial when portraying a message to a desired audience. SPA uses physical components in their advert to achieve this effect by incorporating an animal, perfume spray, and a concise, small line of text. The first detail that strikes upon viewing the advert is a beautiful woman. In fact, if viewers only looked at the image for half a second, that’s all they would really notice. After noticing the woman, one sees a small puppy being used as a perfume spray. The spray emits from its mouth, indicating that rather than being treated as an animal, it is being treated as a product. Glancing back up towards the top of the advert brings the reader to the small line of text. The small text allows for the audience’s attention to remain on the woman and the puppy. The advert’s combination of components complement each other, which helps deliver the strong message that SPA is aiming for: animal testing is not humane.

SPA’s advert suggests that there is a cruel price behind a simple beauty product. When I first saw this image, the portrayal of a puppy being tied to a cosmetic beauty item struck me as dismaying. It made me react in a matter most people would which was disgusted- disgusted and upset. The caption above the puppy begs the consumer to, “Help us fight the effects of cosmetic testing.” A- a message which directed my anger towards the main cause SPA is fighting against - animal testing. I’m not a very emotional person, but this reached an area that most people can relate to: the innocence of animals. As humans we are morally responsible towards ensuring the care and ethical treatment towards animals - something that animal testing is completely against. Henceforth, SPA’s advert successfully questions the moral implications of animal testing through emotional appeal.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, animal cruelty exists. A key player in this epidemic is the cosmetic industry, where, according to PETA’s “Animal Testing 101” study, 90% of animal testing takes place. SPA’s advert touching on this matter has been effective in bringing attention to this. Niki Lanni in her recent article titled, “New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Strongly Oppose Animal Testing for Cosmetics,” suggests that over 70% of Americans disagree with animal testing. (Lanni 1) New cosmetic brands, such as Lush, have even adopted the trend of refusing to incorporate animal testing in the development of their products. Even despite these recent changes, animal testing is still commonly practicedmainstream. According to Choose Cruelty Free, China, one of the largest exporters of beauty products, requires animal testing for all beauty products - making it difficult for any change in this aspect. Altogether, SPA successfully nails the intent in their advert, but internal problems within the industry inhibit much needed change.

SPA’s social media advertisement identifies the problem and issues of animal testing. The combination of persuasive physical components, direct emotional appeal through ethics, and background information concerning animal testing makes this ad quite effective. A study conducted by PETA suggested that even with animal testing on beauty products, 90% of humans will have a completely-opposite reaction to the product being tested than to that of an animal, further concluding the entire practice to be unethical and useless. But it’s not too late to make a difference - in fact, it’s the perfect time for change. According to Niki Lanni from the HSI, the majority of Americans disagree with animal testing, and awareness regarding this subject is at an all-time high. Powerful change is achievable, and if we continue to support social media awareness campaigns like SPA’s, ethical treatment towards animals will become an achieved reality. As Louis D. Brandeis, a 20th century Supreme Court Justice, once stated, “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants” (Brandeis 1).

Works Cited

Brandeis, Louis Dembitz, and Melvin I. Urofsky. Other People's Money and How the

Bankers Use It. Boston, Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press, 1995. Accessed December

3, 2016.

“Fact Sheet: Cosmetic Testing.” Humane Society, Humane Society International,

Accessed December 3, 2016

Lanni, Nikki. “New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Strongly Oppose Animal Testing

for Cosmetics.” Humane Society, Humane Society of the United States, 12 Mar. 2013, Accessed December 3, 2016.

“Chemical & Product Testing : Humane Society International.” Humane Society, Hu

mane Society International, 19 Sept. 2016, Accessed December 3, 2016.

Newkirk, Ingrid E. “Animal Testing 101.” PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of

Animals, 3 Dec. 2013, Accessed December 3, 2016.

“China – What’s the Story?” CCF Official Site, Choose Cruelty Free, 26 Sept. 2016,

Accessed December 3, 2016.