Many years ago, I took a job in an animal testing facility in Philadelphia. They mainly tested cosmetics and household products for big companies before marketing.

On my interview, the director told me, "Once you've been here a few days, you lose respect for all living things." I was instantly horrified.

I accepted the job so I could see for myself what I had been reading about for years; that animals were tortured and killed for non-essential luxury items such as cosmetics and personal care items. I worked there for almost one year. What I had been reading about was true. Animals were treated inhumanely and suffered so that mascara or deordorant could be marketed. They suffered a great deal in the name of science and safety. However, the reality of it is that testing these products on animals does nothing to ensure consumer safety. And it isn't required by any law.

Rabbits were routinely used for testing products but consider that rabbits do not have tear ducts to wash away chemicals as humans do. Any results from a test done on rabbits tells us nothing about how a human would react. I asked an employee in charge of 'gassing' animals with toxic chemicals if this was all to guarantee human safety. He laughed and stated, "No, this does nothing to guarantee safety – it's done to protect ourselves against consumer lawsuits."

One frivolous lawsuit consisted of holding a rabbits eye under running water for 24 hours straight. Why? Because a consumer claimed her mascara irritated her eye and wanted to sue. Ridiculous? I think so.

Add to that tests done that clearly damaged the skin and eyes of animals but companies could not market the product with those results. The lab would be instructed to re-do the test at different 'dosing' levels until the desired results were obtained. It's deceptive marketing at its best.

And then factor in all of the products that passed animal tests with flying colors but once consumed by humans, were found to be toxic and sometimes deadly. But there is good news. As consumers become increasingly educated on this issue they are opting for the cruelty-free alternatives and that sends a big message to the companies that still test on animals. Many major companies such as Mary Kay and Nature's Gate ceased all animal testing and now stamp their products "cruelty-free" or 'no animal testing.'