Save Ralph Movie: A Rabbits Tale About Animal Testing

Save Ralph is about a rabbit who has found himself submerged in the world of animal testing.

One of the many thousands of animals that every year are forced to endure horrific chemical testing for cosmetics.

The Save Ralph Movie

Humane Society International wanted to create an impactful animated short film to work alongside their global campaign to get cosmetic testing on animals banned across the world.

Enter the short film “Save Ralph” which debuted on April 6, 2021.

The film features several famous animal lovers and advocates including Ricky Gervais, Olivia Munn, Tricia Helfer, Pom Klementieff and Zac Effron.

The star of the movie, Ralph, is the voice of Taiki Waititi, and he spends the duration of the film being interviewed as to what life is like as a “test bunny” in a lab.

This is an important message to help people understand why shopping cruelty free is so important.

Ralph tells a story of his being used in the what is called the Draize test which was created over 70 years ago to evaluate chemical irritation to the eyes and skin, without pain relief.

It is a horrible and cruel thing to use animals for.

This test is still used in some countries.

Companies like L’Oreal have created alternatives like their Episkin™which is a reconstructed human skin and a much better testing alternative to animals.

Sadly, many companies are not willing to make the change yet to these alternatives.

The #SaveRalph campaign brings to light the horrible world of animal testing in a way that entertains while educating.

The story of Ralph is a story that can be told by thousands of other animal that go through the same treatment every day in laboratories all over the world.

Animal Testing Fast Facts

Below are some facts about animal testing:

In some parts of the world, rabbits are locked in restraints and endure chemicals being dripped onto shaved skin and in their eyes.
Guinea pigs and mice also have chemicals spread on naked skin and in ears.
Most animals who are tested are killed once they are of no use anymore.
40 countries already have animal testing bans in place, wish HSI and their partners having a large part of making it happen in many of those countries.
4 US states currently ban testing and 5 others are considering bills as well.
A bill called the Humane Cosmetics Act is expected to be reintroduced this year to Congress.
In 2013 the European Union banned all animal testing for cosmetics but this is now at risk due to the European Chemicals Agency demanding that companies perform animal tests on chemicals that are used in cosmetics.
There are now over 2,000 “cruelty-free” beauty brands available around the world.
HSI warns that even cruelty-free cosmetics are in jeopardy if chemical safety legislation continues to demand new animal tests for chemical ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics. That’s why the #SaveRalph campaign prioritizes getting test bans in place and robustly defended.

HSI and their partners are working together to create a training program that focuses on animal-free safety assessment to support companies that would like to transition from animal testing to non-animal methods.

To learn more about animal testing and the work HSI is doing click here.