PETA\u2019s shareholder resolutions have been a powerful means of influencing the management, boards, and investors of companies engaged in animal testing and of encouraging those businesses to develop and implement non-animal test methods. Importantly, they have also opened the door to discussions with companies\u2019 upper management and top scientists. In response to PETA\u2019s resolutions, a number of companies\u2014such as Dow, DuPont, 3M, and other chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies\u2014have agreed to enter into regular, constructive dialogues with PETA scientists.<\/p>\n
Shareholder Resolutions and Animal Testing<\/h3>\n
Over the years, PETA has obtained shares in companies by purchasing them or receiving them as donations from members and supporters. As partial owners of a publicly traded company, shareholders are entitled to bring resolutions to a vote during its annual meeting.<\/p>\n
PETA\u2019s first shareholder resolutions, in 1987, targeted cosmetics and household-product manufacturers that conducted animal tests. Since then, with the support of our members, we\u2019ve filed shareholder resolutions covering many other animal-testing issues with dozens of companies.<\/p>\n
Some actions taken by companies as a result of discussions with PETA include the following:<\/p>\n
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Expanding their use of non-animal test methods<\/li>\r\n \t
Implementing large computational toxicology programs that spare the lives of tens of thousands of animals in government-mandated testing<\/li>\r\n \t
Working with PETA scientists to develop testing strategies that avoid the use of animals<\/li>\r\n \t
Investing in a non-animal method for testing inhalation toxicity, preventing large numbers of animals from being used<\/li>\r\n \t
Removing animal-derived products from their inventory and replacing them with similar products from non-animal sources<\/li>\r\n \t
Increasing collaboration with other companies to further the development and use of non-animal test methods<\/li>\r\n \t
Contributing data for use in projects to verify that non-animal methods can replace animal tests (This information is required before government regulators will accept non-animal methods.)<\/li>\r\n \t
Urging regulators to accept non-animal tests in place of customarily required animal tests<\/li>\r\n \t
Implementing systems for tracking their use of animal and non-animal methods as well as the success rate for regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods<\/li>\r\n \t
Working with in vitro<\/em> test method developers to design non-animal tests specific to the companies\u2019 needs<\/li>\r\n \t
Launching internal training programs to ensure that staff are aware of and familiar with existing non-animal methods<\/li>\r\n \t
Participating in webinars and workshops to inform others about animal-free testing approaches<\/li>\r\n \t
Inviting PETA scientists to speak to local toxicology chapters about animals testing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n