Conference misery::feline_v1

      I recently heard that Mary Kay had announced that they were stopping
    animal testing also....but I have not been able to confirm that.
      Has anyone heard this??? And is it confirmed???
    
      JM

    I heard about Mary Kay stopping animal testing on the radio out
    here in California.  Don't know if it has been confirmed.
    
    Jo

    I sure hope it is true.  I'll ask my consultant when I see her on
    Wednesday.  I was having a terrible time justifying continuing to 
    use their products (which I've used for years) after I found out 
    they still tested on animals.
    
    Jan
    

    
    I was in England recently and discovered a wonderful bath and beauty
    products company with a social conscience  --so thought I'd pass
    it on to fellow animal-lovers.  The company is called The Body Shop,
    and they do absolutely no testing on animals.  The products are
    outstanding (try the Japanese Washing Grains).  They also use recycled
    paper in their packaging, etc.  They are not yet prevalent in the
    US, though they are starting here in the Northeast (there is a store
    in Tyson's Corner, Virginia).  They are 10 years old, and wildly
    popular in England and much of the rest of the world.  In addition
    to caring about our furry friends, they know how to market and sell.
    I would love to see them establish themselves in the US,
    because I think they could really give the less enlightened beauty
    product companies a run for their money.  In the meantime, you can
    get a catalog from 1-800-541-2535.  I've ordered from this 800#,
    and received my order within 5-10 days (they are in NJ, and I live
    in California).  So... here's to watching out for our furry felines
    and other friends!
    
    Lynn
    

    I've heard that about Mary Kay also.  I'll believe it when I hear
    it from PETA ro NAVS.
      N
    

    
    	Lynn, I found a store in Shrewsbury, MA that sells a FEW Body
    	Shop products. Didn't the company just change their name to
    	Terranova Products? 
    
    	Sherry
     

    Re .4
     P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) publishes a
    list of companies in the cosmetic, health, and personal care
    businesses who do no animal testing.
    JM

    The health food stores here in Calif. are a good source of
    products that do no testing on animals.  Usually the labels
    tell you this, or the store manager knows.  They have health
    food stores in the East, don't they....
    

    re: .7  I've made this offer in another note, but I'll repeat
    myself anyway...
      I have the PETA anti-cruelty shopping guide. Send mail and I'll
    end it to you.  I have it in hardcopy only so send your mailstop.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    Sherry,
    
    I'm not aware of The Body Shop changing their name to Terranova...
    I'd be interested to know if it truly is the same company; all of
    their products are from England  -is there a reference to this on
    the label?  I am aware of many of the other non-animal-tested products
    on the market.  The thing that excites me about The Body Shop is
    that I can see them appealing to the mainstream -their shops are
    just so inviting and wonderful, unlike some of the other "Health/All
    Natural, etc." stores which many people don't buy from as they don't
    connect with this.  You don't realize The Body Shop is this type
    of place until you're in there and only then if you happen to pick
    up literature.  I bet tons of people buy from them without a clue
    that they're supporting a great cause!!!!
    
    Lynn
    

    
    	Lynn, I called the Body Shop yesterday and asked them to 
    	send me a catalog. They are not the same company as Terranova,
    	which is probably why they changed the name, and they're in CA.
    
    	Sherry
    

    re: .9  Nancy I got the new list from PETA thats how I found out
    about avon.  It's nice to see that the list of companies who test
    on animals is getting shorter than those who don't.  PETA is doing
    a wonderful job.
    
    Cindy

    re: .12  Cindy could I have a copy of the new list???
      MRO3-1/N17
      Thanks
    

    re: .13
    I'll try to remember to bring it in tomorrow and mail you a copy.
    
    C
    

    I just spoke to my Mary Kay consultant and she confirms that May
    Kay is stopping testing on animals.  She said she received some
    literature from Mary Kay Cosmetics on this but couldn't put her
    hands on it while we were on the phone.  She will look for it and
    send me a copy.  If anyone else is interested in seeing the literature,
    let me know and I'll copy you on it when I receive it.
    
    Jan

    
    Just read in the paper this morning about a possible take-over of
    Avon.  Wonder if this will change the testing on animals policy
    currently in effect there?
    
    Anyone know anything further on the group trying the take-over.
     I can't remember the name but I do remember there is some private
    financing involved.
    
    Faith
    

    The Mary Kay Cosmetic Company is the other party, but I believe it is a
    merger, not a hostile takeover.

    Deb 

    Just recently I read an article that said Amway was trying to take
    over Avon but when I saw the last note I call my Mary Kay rep.
    
    She said other people had mentioned it to her but she hadn't heard
    anything.  She told me would call the Sales Director's Hotline and
    ask them.  She did and they read her some prepared statement that
    basically said they didn't feel it was appropriate to comment on
    the rumors/reports at this time and that they would keep their Sales
    Directory informed.  Apparently the Director's Hotline phone has
    been ringing off the hook.  This leads me to believe there may be
    something to this.
    
    Jan

    
    When you mentioned Amway (.18) that was one I had heard.  The
    other (the one I read yesterday) was some company with initials
    then a name.  Sounds like maybe there are three bids going on
    here.
    
    I sorta hope Amway doesn't get it.  Something about the combination
    of two different styles of business that don't seem to me will
    mesh very well.
    
    Faith
    

    The only reason I wouldn't want AMWAY is that they do animal
    testing on their products.  There's nothing wrong with the
    quality of their products, the prices or the marketing
    method.  (the only other thing I take issue with is HOW
    the recruit their sales people).
      Nancy DC
    

    
    Nancy,
    
    	It was the recruiting methods that I was referring to as not
    being to my liking.  
    
    	So, if AMWAY does get Avon, there would be a possibility that
    animal testing could be reintroduced at Avon?  That would be my
    concern.
    
    	I'd probably buy AMWAY products if it weren't for the recruiting
    method.  I'm afraid they would start that method with Avon.
    
    Faith
    

    I don't know if Avon would re-institute animal testing or not.
    It doesn't seem economically feasible to me.  I suspect they
    would continue doing whatever they had been doing.  Unfortunately,
    I still won't buy Avon if they are the only "division" of amway
    not doing animal testing.
      And their recruiting methods are sleazy!
      (Amway that is)
       Nancy DC
    

    I read an article in the Middlesex News about Avon.  It seems to
    me that the only reason they've decided to stop testing on animals
    is to boost sales.  Their stock has been doing pretty bad.  I'm
    glad they stopped testing.  The president said that right now they
    are "not for sale".  
    
    Not to get to off the subject, but being an Amway Distributor I can
    say that there are people that use sleazy recruiting tactics.  Amway
    is trying to change that.  There are, however, some organizations
    in Amway, that still use those tactics.  Just to let you know, not every
    Distributor does this.  As you can see, I'm not.  If I were, I
    certainly wouldn't be telling people that I am in Amway.  I believe
    in the business and being honest with people.  The company does stress 
    the retailing not just recruiting.  It's just some organizations think 
    the only way to make it big in Amway is to recruit and the retailing 
    will take care of itself.  I think the merits of the business stand
    out on it's own.  
    
    I didn't mean to get that far off the subject.  I just wanted to
    give you another point of view.  I'm sure if Mary Kay and Avon stop
    testing on animals, Amway won't be far behind.
    
    Kathy

    re: Amway stopping animal testing -  I hope you're right.  It would
    probably help if you put a little pressure on them.  Tell them that
    you're losing sales because of their policies.  Lets face it, money
    is usually the primary reason that a business changes its way of
    doing things!
      Nancy 

    
    Copied from article in the Boston Herald 6/23/89.
    
    AVON STOPS TESTING PRODUCTS ON ANIMALS
    
    NEW YORK - Avon Products Inc. yesterday said it has permanently stopped
    using animals in its product safety tests, becoming the first major
    cosmetics maker to do so.
    
    Animal rights activists praised Avon and said they hoped Avon's
    decision would encourage other companies to halt animal testing
    completely.
    
    The beauty products company said it will rely on alternative non-animal
    methods, harmless tests on people and an extensive computerized data
    base containing information on the safety of ingredients that
    previously have been examined.
    
    	Stock in Avon closed yesterday at $33.58, up 13 cents on volume of
    364,400 on the New York Stock Exchange.
    
    								-AP
    
    This is the total article as it appeared.  I do have the article with
    me if anyone wants a copy.