NZAVS is Aotearoa’s primary charity defending animals – their mission is to end animal experimentation and the harmful use of animals for research, testing and teaching in Aotearoa.
Part of the amazing work that they are doing includes a Cruelty Free Guide that promotes beauty, skincare, body care, and household products that are genuinely cruelty-free and are available to purchase in New Zealand. Check it out and find out how you can do your bit to help NZAVS on their mission to defend animals used in science.
Thousands of animals including mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, cows and many other species are used across the country in cruel animal experiments.
In New Zealand, approximately 300,000 animals are used for research, testing and teaching purposes every year. We exist to change this and eliminate all cases that are harmful to animals.
OUR VISION
A future where we advance science without causing any suffering, for both animals and humans.
We are creating a world where:
No animals are subject to cruel and painful experiments.
People no longer believe that animals are appropriate models for human medical research and product safety testing.
Viable and non-harmful scientific methods are always used.
No more time or money is wasted on fruitless research.
Human and animal health thrive.
Science is upheld to its fullest integrity.
Who We Are:
The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) is Aotearoa’s primary charity defending animals used in science.
Our Mission:
To end animal experimentation and the harmful use of animals for research, testing and teaching in Aotearoa — for animals, humans, and science!
What We Do:
Promote and encourage the use of scientifically viable and non-harmful research, testing and teaching methods.
Lobby for legislative and systemic change.
Collaborate with and encourages stakeholders to create positive change.
Educate to create cultural and societal change.
You can view our strategic plan for 2020 – 2021 here. This gives an overview of how we plan on achieving our mission.
Our Core Beliefs:
The work we do is based on the following beliefs:
Animals aren’t commodities; they are sentient and capable of a wide range of emotions including pain, fear and happiness. It is therefore morally wrong to exploit animals.
Research, testing and teaching should be species-specific. Due to their many differences, no species can be an accurate model for another. Animals can’t reliably predict the human response to drugs and disease.
Research, testing and teaching methods should always be non-harmful to both animals and humans. If a non-harmful and scientifically valid research, testing or teaching method doesn’t yet exist, work should be done to develop one rather than continuing to use a fundamentally flawed or cruel method.
NZAVS Values:
The values that are reflected in all our work are:
Ethical practice
NZAVS strives to be as ethical as possible towards humans, animals and the environment. We are a vegan organisation and actively avoid purchasing products containing animal products and we are continuously improving our processes so that our practices are as environmentally friendly as they can be.
We are an inclusive organisation committed to achieving our goals without contributing to the further marginalisation of any group, including tangata whenua, LGBTQIA+ and others. We aim to uplift and work alongside the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalised communities.
NZAVS acknowledges Māori as the traditional guardians of Aotearoa. We recognise that Māori have spiritual, social, and cultural connections with their whenua (land), their maunga (mountain) and awa (rivers). We honour and respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and continue to develop the way we uphold the principles as an organisation.
Evidence-based
The work that we publish and promote will be based on valid evidence.
Non-violence
NZAVS only promotes non-violent actions and tactics. We do not condone violence or abuse of any kind, verbal or otherwise and we advocate respect for all beings, including humans.
The NZAVS Cruetly Free Guide promotes beauty, skincare, body care, and household products that are genuinely cruelty-free and available to purchase in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Cruelty-free companies selling products in NZ can apply to be added via the adjacent form. Find out more about our Cruelty Free Guide including our criteria here.
Multiple different cruelty-free lists exist, the point of difference with ours is that all companies featured on our Cruelty Free Guide are not affiliated with animal testing in any way.
We also go a step further than most other cruelty-free lists by:
Providing information on palm-oil.
Providing a list of vegan-friendly products available from companies that aren’t 100% vegan, where possible.
About The Author: Katie Brooks
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