On World Day for Animals in Laboratories (April 24th), former Sopranos/Sons of Anarchy actress Drea de Matteo has teamed up with Cruelty Free International and its campaign to end cosmetics testing on animals in the U.S.
Pictured with her daughter, son and rescue pup Blankie, Drea who recently guest starred in Marvels’ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D said: “Animals shouldn‘t suffer for the sake of beauty. I‘m proud to join Cruelty Free International in calling on the United States to end cosmetics testing on animals.”
Monica Engebretson, Cruelty Free International‘s North America Campaign Manager, said, “Ending cosmetics testing on animals in the United States is in the best interest consumers, regulatory agencies, and industry. We are thrilled to have Drea de Matteo join our campaign to encourage the United States to match global progress on this issue.”
Cruelty Free International is the only organization solely campaigning for a global ban on animal cosmetics testing. With offices worldwide, it works with governments, regulators, companies and partner organizations, placing the issue of animal testing on the agenda of many governments for the first time.
As well as Europe, India now has testing and sales bans in place while Brazil, New Zealand and South Korea recently made significant strides toward ending animal testing via legislation or policy decisions. Vietnam has agreed to end eye and skin irritation tests, Thailand is considering ending animal testing for cosmetics, and there has been promising changes in China’s acceptance of non-animal tests for regular cosmetic products manufactured domestically.
Other celebrities to support Cruelty Free International include, Peter Dinklage, Norman Reedus, Sir Paul McCartney, Alicia Silverstone and Bob Barker.
April 24th is World Day for Animals in Laboratories, an international event to remember the millions of animals who suffer and die in laboratories around the world.