August 20, 1997

Dear Mr. Pepper:

For many years I bought and used Procter & Gamble products (Cascade, Joy, Dawn, Cover Girl and Max Factor, Noxzema, Vick’s and Icy Hot). I enjoyed them very much.

I no longer buy or use these or any P&G products since I learned that your company is testing chemicals and substances, many of them caustic and toxic, on rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, rats and mice.

I’m writing you for two reasons: First, because I want you to know P&G’s animal testing is affecting P&G’s customers, and second, because I want to ask you a question.

Regarding your customers, please know that even people who appear to care little for animals, are appalled at P&G’s continued use of toxicity/irritancy tests. Most of my friends and family, co-workers and neighbors, even strangers at the supermarket, are aware of existing alternative methods for animal tests: human cell cultures, tissue cultures and computer models, and these folks also know that federal regulations do not require animal tests, and have not since 1984. Which begs the question: Why test on animals? Your PR brochure does not truthfully answer this question.

Revlon, for example, took a bold stand against animal testing nearly two decades ago. The Body Shop’s philosophy is proudly Against Animal Testing. Both of these companies are favorites of several generations of loyal customers and first-time customers alike, and both companies are growing by leaps and bounds, due largely to cruelty-free testing.

Now is the time to update P&G’s outdated procedures by ending animal testing and instead use alternative testing methods now available.

You could introduce a cruelty-free line of P&G products that bridges the gap between large, corporate market brands and cruelty-free yet small, homegrown brands found in health-food stores. I know this line would be a success.

I hope you will soon end all animal testing at Procter & Gamble. Millions of women and men worldwide will applaud you and reward you with loyal customer support for many years to come.