Cruelty Free International

Michelle Thew is Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International – the leading organisation working to end animal experiments worldwide. For over 20 years Michelle has championed the cause of animals in laboratories across the world, speaking on their behalf in both the UK and EU Parliaments, and taking the message to media, regulators and industry representatives from Europe, the USA and Asia. Michelle spearheaded the decade-long campaign to end cosmetics testing on animals in Europe, which was instrumental in achieving the EU ban on animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients in 2013.

Good morning Ms Thew,

First of all, let me thank you for accepting this interview with DV8 World News.

I am personally delighted to have you with us today. We share mutual interests. To us, your commitment is an example and the work of Cruelty Free International is remarkable. But before discussing many topics, here is my first question:

Could you introduce yourself and tell us more about your background? What has led you to become Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International?

Since being a child, I have always been passionate about animal protection. After a decade leading organisations and services for children with disabilities I transitioned across to become the Chief Executive Officer of Cruelty Free International (then the BUAV). Moving to this role was a dream come true as it enables me to combine my professional role leading organisations and campaigns with my personal passion.

You have been running Cruelty Free International for a little more than 14 years now. What does your job consist of?

I actually first joined as Chief Executive Officer of what was then called BUAV in 1999 so I have been active in this movement full time for over twenty years. I spent a period in the United States as Chief Executive Officer of the Animal Protection Institute working on a range of animal issues before returning to head Cruelty Free International again. The role involves the leadership of the organisation managing a variety of campaigns and programmes and ensuring that the organisation is sustainable and supported. I also represent Cruelty Free International and our cause to the media and key players in Government and industry, from persuading a brand to go cruelty free to leading efforts at the United Nations for a resolution to bring an end to cosmetics testing. My ultimate goal in leading the organisation is to create a world where we no longer test on animals.

What are the main purposes of your organisation?

Cruelty Free International works to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals. We do this by championing better science based on the use of modern nonanimal methods, and by exposing the reality of life for animals in laboratories. We also challenge decision-makers to make a positive difference for animals through changes in laws and regulations to reduce and replace animal experiments. And we empower the public to use their consumer power through our Leaping Bunny programme. With over 190 million animals used in experiments worldwide every year, the need for an organisation working around the world and devoted to this issue has never been greater.

What is your definition of “animal cruelty”?

In the simplest terms, animal cruelty is the infliction of pain and suffering on a sentient animal either through intentionally or by willfully disregarding their well-being. This might include the physical pain inflicted on an animal by rubbing a chemical into his or her skin, or long-term distress to the animal by denying the ability to express his or her natural behaviour, such as confinement in a small barren enclosure. This of course does not include a situation where temporary pain or suffering might be inflicted on an animal for his or her own benefit – such as when an animal receives veterinary care that 2 might involve some pain or discomfort or when an animal must be contained temporarily for his or her own safety.

Globally speaking, would you say that the situation for the animals has improved or not really? We often report in our journal on new laws in many countries around the world such as England, France, Israel, protecting pets. What is your opinion about this? Is it enough?

It is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, the status of animals and awareness of the importance of animal protection amongst the general public all over the world has increased, yet the total number of animals suffering in laboratories has not changed very much. There is a growing awareness that animals can indeed feel pain and experience deep emotions and a sense that is that it is morally wrong to cause animals intentional and unnecessary pain and suffering. This has greatly influenced industries that are most directly affected by consumer demands such as cosmetics and household products as we continue to see incredible growth in companies joining us in our global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics and seeking Leaping Bunny approval. However, at the same time, progress in reducing total numbers of animals used in science is painfully slow. Last year, on the tenth anniversary of the European Union’s new, tougher law on the ‘protection of animals used in scientific procedures’, our #10EUChallenge campaign highlighted that devastatingly the number of animals used in experiments had decreased only by an average of 2% per year, over ten years. It’s not enough.

Have you noticed that people take more into account animal wellness in their consumer habits or not really?

Yes. Historically, purchasing cosmetics not tested on animals has been one of the most popular ethical shopping practices. A growing public awareness of the sentience of animals is contributing to an increase in the number of people concerned about how products they use impact animals, including in animal testing. Growth in consumer concern about animal testing is likely to be influenced by three factors – an increase in the science that reveals that animals are “sentient beings”- able to subjectively feel and perceive the world around them, a growing consumer activism movement linked by social media that can significantly impact on brands, and the growing status of companion animals as “family members” in the lives of people.

What are the animals that are suffering the most from cruelty?

Animals used in a laboratory setting experience stress and distress due to their confinement in an environment that restricts or limits their natural behaviour, as well as in experiment or testing protocols. Animals used in research or testing will, in most cases, experience fear, pain, disease or surgery and early death. I would not want to say which animals suffer the most from cruelty. I am against all cruelty to animals. If we consider animals in laboratories, looking strictly at the numbers, mice and rats make up the largest number of animals used worldwide. But there is also the severity and duration of suffering depending on the experiment or testing protocol. For example, primates may be used in fewer numbers than mice, but they may be used in particularly invasive or abusive experiments that may involve extreme suffering as well as years of deprivation of their natural behaviour whilst confined in a laboratory cage. Individual primates may also be used in multiple experiments throughout their lives. The best way to address both the number of animals suffering and the severity of suffering is to work 3 toward the complete replacement of animals with modern non-animal approaches. This does not mean, however, that we stop pushing for reductions in the numbers of animals used or calling for stricter care standards for animals used in laboratories while we work toward our larger goal.

To be continued.