Purchasing Power - LeapingBunny.org

I'm a firm believer in the power of the purse. What we buy and who we choose to buy it from does make the difference in the lives on animals, their environments, as well as the people who make the wares we use.

We would like to share with you some of the most trusted seals available, to help you make more conscious purchasing decisions. These will be presented in subsequent blogs; and we will start with LeapingBunny.org.

Some cosmetic, toiletry and cleaning product labels may claim that their final product has not been tested on animals, but how can you be sure? Also, there may not be any claims about each of the individual ingredients used.

The Leaping Bunny program is administered by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a consortium of animal welfare groups, including The Humane Society of the United States, American Humane Association, and others. Companies who sport the Leaping Bunny logo on their label claim that the product is 100% cruelty free; this means that neither the product - during any stage of its developement - nor the ingredients used were tested on any animal.

The Coalition also has an online Cruelty-free Shopping Guide to help you make the most informed decisions.

Choosing Cruelty Free Accessories

I've been reading, with great pleasure, about how dozens of designers and apparel manufacturers are joining the ranks of fur-free and cruelty-free producers. Whether this is a result of social consciousness or a reaction to public demand - or both - doesn't matter. The important thing is that several of the big players in fashion and retail are making decisions that will save the lives of animals.

It's not as if offering humane choices means fashion and quality are being compromised. Quite the contrary. Many of the cruelty-free designs being produced today are exquisite. The humane products we carry from companies like Espe and Yak Pak are fun, functional and very well crafted - and are often lower priced than their leather and fur counterparts.

If you want to be a better fur-free consumer, you might want to check out the Consumers for a fur free society by Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute. One of the useful areas they have is a list of the big national retailers committed to the Fur Free Retailer Program. The Humane Society of the United States has a similar list of big name fur-free designers and retailers.

One of the best tools we have for helping animals is by being educated consumers.

New Backpacks and Bags for Animal Lovers

Whether you're looking for a backpack for school, a travel bag, or a purse for every day use, you will want to check this out.

We have new backpacks, bags, and totes in all types of patterns and designs - from hedgehogs to horses, and birds to elephants.

One of the brands we carry is Yak Pak. Most of these bags (with the exception of the polyester backpacks) are made of sturdy cotton and feature a wild selection of animal-themed patterns. Our bags are not only fun and functional, but are cruelty free - no animal byproducts. You can see our entire collection at PJ Publications and Gifts.

And remember, during the entire month of July, Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute will receive 20% from