Beauty isn’t the way you look. It’s the way you act

MEDIA RELEASE
22 SEPTEMBER 2008

The Body Shop is asking its customers to ‘Act Beautiful’ by adding their name to a campaign by the World Society for the Protection of Animals [WSPA] to help improve the lives of animals worldwide.

WSPA is calling for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations, similar to previous UN Declarations on global issues such as human and child rights. The UN statement would acknowledge animals as ‘sentient’ (capable of experiencing pain and suffering), and animal welfare as an issue of importance as part of the social development of nations worldwide.

Acting beautiful is easy, from 22 September to 13 October, sign the petition for the Declaration in-store at The Body Shop. Or visit www.makeyourselfbeautiful.org.au to give your friends and family a makeover with a special ‘virtual ink pen’ and encourage them to sign the petition too.

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is a global movement to improve the lives of animals. Signing for the Declaration recognizes that animals can feel pain and that we have a responsibility to put an end to animal cruelty. 10 million signatures are being sought globally to let the governments of the world know people are serious about creating better lives for animals.
Polly Caldow, Chief Executive for The Body Shop Australia is delighted to be partnering with WSPA for the ‘Act Beautiful’ campaign.

“The protection of animals is something we have always been extremely committed to campaigning about. It is one of the values that make up The Body Shop’s DNA. We see the Declaration as the next important and logical step in the journey towards securing animal rights and protection,” Ms Caldow said.

“At The Body Shop, we believe by acting beautifully, a person’s true beauty is revealed,” Ms Caldow added.

The Body Shop has been vital in helping to bring about an end to animal testing in the cosmetics industry, and their policies against animal testing are regarded as best practice by more than 50 leading animal protection groups who endorse the international Humane Cosmetics Standard. In 1991, with the help of four million customers worldwide The Body Shop were instrumental in securing UK and European bans on animal testing for cosmetic purposes.

Emily Reeves, WSPA Campaign Manager points out that everyone from governments to individuals, have a responsibility to put an end to animal cruelty around the world.

“Many millions of animals face a life of mistreatment, cruelty, pain and suffering as a result of human indifference, neglect and a lack of education. The time has come to protect billions of animals from cruelty by officially recognizing their importance and their welfare at a global level,” Ms Reeves said.

Signing for the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is a simple, beautiful act, which has far-reaching effects. By showing that animals matter, you can help WSPA build a global movement and reach their target of 10 million signatures worldwide. With one signature, one beautiful act, you can help WSPA work towards achieving the Declaration and ending animal cruelty for good.

Get scribbling from 22 September at www.makeyourselfbeautiful.org, or in-store at one of The Body Shop’s 80 retail stores Australia wide.

Every drop of ink improves the lives of animals.

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For further information, images or to setup an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:

Kylie Hourigan
Communications Manager
The Body Shop
p) 03 9565 062
m) 0406 380 093
e) kylie.hourigan@thebodyshop.com.au

Jordan Burke
Communications Manager
WSPA
p) 02 9902 8013
m) 0409 589 509
e) jordanburke@wspa.org.au

Please note: The promotional ink bottles you received will be displayed in The Body Shop stores around Australia for the duration of the campaign to encourage people to sign the petition.