INTRODUCTION: a note from imogen

The idea for this site came to me in the middle of the night, after reading material related to the horrific practice of animal testing. I found myself shocked and appalled at not only the cruelty going on in these hell like laboratories around the world, but also at just how deep this problem runs and how hidden we have allowed it to become.

I confess, I not only cried when faced with images of tortured and disfigured animals, but what I really wanted to do was throw up. It’s not easy to face what we humans are doing out there … in fact it’s far easier, and less confronting, to turn a blind eye.

I decided then and there that I wanted to do my small part. I began by throwing out any product made by Max Factor, L’Oreal and Covergirl because in my initial search for answers these three companies stood out as GUILTY of cruelty and torture to animals - and for what? Just so we can have longer, thicker mascara and brighter, longer wear lipstick. They’re not saving the world with their products … they’re just saving a few bucks!

This site aims to expose some of the hidden secrets in the beauty industry, but we also wanted to introduce you to some of the fantastic cruelty free products and to some inspirational people who are out there making a difference. Since the 70’s there has been great progress in alternative methods of testing and an increased awareness of how products are made, but our world has grown so quickly that we’re finding it too hard to live compassionately … so in the new millenium we ignore the issue almost completely, and that has allowed animal cruelty to continue.

My affiliation with animals began when I was a child and came naturally; I was a super shy kid and I didn’t speak much so animals were the perfect playmates, they never once asked me why I didn’t talk much! They understood me and I understood them, and our relationships were simple. All relationships with animals stem from a beautiful thing called ‘unconditional love’ - it’s a concept that makes us humans seem much less evolved than we truly think we are.

When I was thirteen and in my first year of high school I suffered from a bout of Bells Palsy. This illness left me with half of my face completely paralyzed for twelve weeks, though I attended school for some of the time part of it was spent at home. Whilst I recovered and struggled to understand what was happening to my body my ever-faithful cat snow sat loyally and unconditionally by my side. She would place her wise paw on me constantly as if to reassure me everything was ok.

Now some may argue that this was merely a teenager with a case of anthropomorphism and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I want to share with you just how important Snows paw of support meant to me. I was deeply upset, depressed and confused. One night I had severe headaches then the next morning half of my face refused to work. My doctor couldn’t give us a time frame for recovery he couldn’t even tell us if it would go, and I was petrified.

I wasn’t modeling then so I wasn’t concerned about my looks - it was the awkwardness that bothered me, it didn’t hurt but it felt weird. I would dribble and sometimes my eye wouldn’t close on its own. I desperately needed assurance and Snow gave this to me. She became my shadow and was always there to love me. If I cried she would hop into my lap and look up at me neck raised, she was exceptional at creating diversions, and for an old girl she could still pull out the stops and make you laugh. She had this wonderful way of taking away my pain, of making my tears turn to smiles …  have you ever felt really angry and then touched an animal and noticed that awful feeling just fades away?

If you have experienced the love of an animal you know in your very heart and right to your very core that animals feel physical and mental pain – no matter who tells us otherwise. Animals do feel, they have personalities and emotions and they can perfom the types of miracles many humans wish they could … they can heal.

There are stories being told all around the world of dogs who have detected cancer in their companions or the cat who lives in the nursing home and visits the patients just before they pass. We know animals have an extra sense, but instead of looking at how we can develop our own sense of compassion and intuition, we abuse, torture and maim our furry and four legged friends and dispose of them when we’re finished.

I have developed this site jointly with my friend and Internet Manager, CJ, who has put my visions to paper (or monitor!) for about 5 years now. We share a passion to protect and defend all of the earths creatues, especially those with voices that we don’t understand, and refuse to listen to. We ask that you browse, read, learn, contribute and interact with this website – claim it as your own and spread the word. The animals need our help … after all, they’ve given us plenty.

IM for Animals … Are you?

  • Campaigns

My first campaign came out in 2001 in protest of the abuse of Thai Elephants in animal shows. It drew so much attention to the cause & brought International press to abuse that had been kept a secret for too long.

We're currently busy working on a new campaign which will aim to put a stop to battery hen farms all together in Australia.

For more details on these and other campaigns please visit our forum

> the forum

All relationships with animals stem from a beautiful thing called ‘unconditional love’ - it’s a concept that makes us humans seem much less evolved than we truly think we are.