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Save Ralph: The Powerful Short Film Exposing Animal Testing

by Suzana Rose

Apr 13, 2021

Humane Society International just released Save Ralph, a short film that tackles animal testing in the beauty industry, and it's already making waves. Voiced by actors such as Taika Waititi, Ricky Gervais, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, and more, the stop-motion animation is powerful, yet under 4 minutes long.

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Save Ralph depicts the life of a laboratory rabbit, or "tester", named Ralph. Blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and suffering from chemical burns, Ralph courageously accepts his fate. He's doing his job, so that us humans can have "the illusion of a safer lipstick or deodorant".

Ralph endures great pain in the lab, all while knowing his ultimate fate as a tester: death. His father was a tester, and so were his grand-father and his great-grand-father.

The short film perfectly depicts the hidden horrors behind animal testing, and reminds us how unnecessary the practice truly is. Today, there are over 7,000 cosmetic ingredients that are already proven to be safe. These ingredients can be used by manufacturers and formulators with no need for any additional animal tests.

Watch Save Ralph

In addition to being unnecessary, animal testing is also much more cruel than you might think. As illustrated by Ralph, the bunnies are forced to suffer painful toxicity tests, most commonly the affecting the eyes -- such as the infamous Draize test -- or skin. The bunnies are essentially tortured, blinded, maimed, and ultimately killed once their "purpose" has served.

Bunnies are not the only animals used in cosmetic testing. As Cruelty Free International points out, mice, guinea pigs, and rats are also commonly used. In some instances, beagle dogs are used because of their docile nature.

What Can We Do To Save Ralph?

You have the power to help bunnies like Ralph and help end animal testing for cosmetics. Here's what you can do.

Shop Cruelty-Free

Join millions of shoppers across the world that are making a positive change in their beauty, personal care, and household products.

Looking for a list of cruelty-free brands? We have over 400 vetted brands on our list, which are truly cruelty-free -- no loopholes.

To find out if the brands you're using test on animals or fund animal testing, visit our search here.

Share The Knowledge

Not everyone is aware that animal testing for cosmetics still exists in 2021, and not everyone is aware of how much cruelty the animals must endure. Share this information on social media to help spread the word.

Support Cruelty-Free Bills In Your Country

Humane Society International makes it easy to take action in your country. Click here to see what your can do locally in order to help end animal testing.

A huge thank you to everyone who's getting involved!

Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free?

Download our list of 600+ verified cruelty-free brands straight to your device. Bring it with you everywhere you go, and never worry about supporting animal testing again. Click here to download

+ Show Comments (13) - Hide Comments (13)
  • Brian Gray says:

    Glad to see campaigns like this where people are starting to take more notice. Everyone needs to support to end this for good!

  • Elize says:

    A big thank you to your website! You really helped me to open my eyes to the horrors of animal cruelty. You are an inspiration! Thank you so much.

  • diana says:

    l will be happy to look back at 2021 as the year l started to remove cruelty free products from my home and life. it’s going to be a process as l was horrified to see the list and that l have so many health beauty and cleaning products from these companies! Thank you for what you are doing.

  • Colin says:

    Thankyou for your efforts, someday this will stop

  • danielle says:

    Hey! where can i find where it lost what each cruelty-free label means and what they each represent?

  • Bekah S says:

    I just found this website today, and using it, I went shopping to find dupes for as many non-cruelty free products that I use as I could. I feel better already after taking a step to start using cruelty free products! Thanks for creating this resource!

  • Eva Banka says:

    So so happy you created cruelty-free kitty. I’ve been using cruelty free products for several years now. I encourage all friends, family & other people to stop buying from companies that are not. Thank you.

  • Luis says:

    Hello Suzana, I’ve been deeply touched by the #SaveRalph video and I’m trying to go cruelty free on all of my products, while investigating I’ve come to realize that companies like P&G, Avon, L’Oreal and others are in fact partnering with Humane Society to ban Animal Testing.

    I’m not sure if this means that those brands are cruelty free (even tho they appear on many lists as brands who do test their products on animals)

    I hope you can read this and help me. Greetings from Venezuela.

    • Suzana Rose says:

      They are not cruelty-free. Just as they partner with Humane Society International, they are also paying for animal tests in China. Brands that are cruelty-free do not enter mainland China and choose ways of selling in China that don’t involve animal testing, for example selling online.

  • Todd Hammond says:

    I am one, of I am sure there are literally millions, to be ashamed to admit until the past few months that I was essentially oblivious to this archaic treatment of animals for these purposes. Stops now and I will focus on ensuring I only purchase and use products going forward that no longer are involved in this evil torture. As I saw someone else had posted, I too very much worry what kind of people perform this torture each day, then go home to enjoy “normal” meals with their families each night. Just another normal day for them. The pure shame should be more than enough to stop their appetites and I know would keep me from sleeping well. This all needs to stop and NOW.

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