Each year, over 115 million animals are used for testing in laboratories for cosmetics, cleaning products, and pharmaceuticals. Since the 1980s, this number has only increased globally in countries including China, the United States, Germany, Australia, and France. Many types of animals — like mice, rabbits, pigs, goats and dogs — are subjected to this terrible practice, and almost all of them either die during testing or are killed when the experiment ends. But for a lucky piglet named Alba, there is life after lab research.
Alba spent the first eight weeks of her life being burn-tested, leaving 18 burn marks along her back. Two other piglets were in the same experiment, but were euthanized after the tests ended. Alba, however, was released from the laboratory to Rancho Relaxo, an animal sanctuary in New Jersey.
“Alba had a shining personality,” said Caitlin Cimini, founder and president of Rancho Relaxo. “She was extra loving, extra wanting of people’s affection, and the lab kind of agreed to releasing her to live her life to the fullest. But normally that’s not the practice. It’s very, very rare.”
Despite the physical scars that will line her back forever and the suffering she endured, Alba shows no signs of mental trauma and has adapted well to her new home. “If she did have trauma, you would never know it,” said Cimini. “Her personality is just unbelievable. She’s so loving, and still so trusting of people.”
While Cimini is unable to reveal the lab from which Alba was rescued, a shocking number of companies worldwide participate in this practice. Below is a list from the Beagle Freedom Project that shows just a few of the big brands that test on animals:

The Beagle Freedom Project
Many people argue that it is necessary to test on animals for human safety. However, these methods are incredibly outdated and actually completely unnecessary. Cruelty Free International, an organization dedicated to ending animal testing, has done extensive research on the topic and continues to provide proof that the practice can indeed come to an end, without sacrificing the safety of humans. See the list of alternatives for animal testing here.
Animal testing is a sad, cruel practice that can and must come to an end. It is time to stop the needless burning, mutating, and murdering of animals. Luckily, there are a variety companies that do not rely on animal testing! Many cosmetic products and cleaning supplies have taken the cruelty-free route, and you can, too, by buying them. One way to ensure you are not supporting animal testing is to look for the ‘Cruelty Free’ label on product packaging. Here are three reliable labels to look for when buying a product:
Alba has been given a second chance at life, and will get to spend the rest of her days on a beautiful farm where she will continue to heal and find peace. All animals deserve the same love Alba has been given. Join us in the cruelty-free movement so that together we can make the world a more compassionate, loving place for all beings.
Stop animal testing, period!
Just so horrible. No pig deserves to be burnt at all. Nice it has a good loving home.
Name All The Labs!! There need to be shamed.
There has to be something wrong with us as humans that we TURN OFF and torture animals in this way! How is it that we can reduce living beings, that we know beyond a doubt feel pain, fear and oppression, to walking meat, Petri dishes, and profit commodities? “Just because it’s been done doesn’t mean it should be done; or ever should have been done.”
Rancho Relaxo. That was the name of a health and beauty spa on The Simpsons. Lol.
What a lovely way for to end her days by being able the live them out on a farm surrounded by peolle who love her. I can’t imagine all the creultsge must have endured. Lucky for she has a loving disposition. Animal testing is cruel and barbaric and all companies who are still using animals for testing need to stop it immediately. There are alternatives and thank God some companies have gone the cruelty free route. God Bless Them!!
I Am So Happy This Beautiful Sweet Alba is Finally Free To Live Her Life Out on a Farm!! I Am Horrified by what the Scientist’s at the lab did to her and All The Other Animals!! This is Horrific Animal Abuse and MURDER and IT HAS GOT TO STOP IMMEDIATELY!!
Yep, welcome to one of the main reasons I left “science” which has pretty much degraded into producing data for corporate interests. I have two advanced hard science Math and physics) degrees and have worked in research in life science institutions.
Most scientists who experiment on live animals, are pretty much psychopaths. You have to have ZERO EMPATHY…this kind of experimentation made me ill Literally (which I am pretty sure it would do to most of your readers).This is why I focused on getting work without animal use..
What they are doing is beyond reprehensible…and NO it does NOT further human health interests one ipota…it is one of the BIGGEST LIES out there.
Unfortunately , I came to realize that “science” is about producing lies for profit, and usually used to kill.. It has become the purview of producing fraudulent data for corporate profit. Some 70% of scientific research (probably more) is fraudulent. It’s true focus is about getting grant money.
Everything in our civilization is commoditized and objectified.
This precious pig is a living sentient creature..
If you have ever wondered why the human race is such a monstrosity, look no further.
Psychopaths are allowed to torture living beings for profit, in the name of “science” while the rest of the human race sits around lying to itself about how vastly special and superior it is.. It’s pathetic
Something should be done about the many needless cruel experiments carried out on animals. Animals show us so called humans nothing but trust, loyalty and devotion and how do we pay them back? BY ABUSING THEM CONTINUALLY OVER AND OVER AGAIN!! You would think that after all the years of experimenting on them we have the knowledge gained so humans are not put at risk of certain products.
I find that animal testing is absolutely unnecessary and many countries have banned animal testing on products. The government of every country must make it mandatory to announce in every product whether it is free from animal cruelty and that no tests were conducted on animals. Only the pressure of people who do not support such things could push the governments to act.
Legal does not mean it is correct. In my country a lot of politicians steal in the open “BECAUSE IT IS NOT ILLEGAL”, it is incorrect it is wrong.
What is the problem of those so called humans? Anyone who can do that to a living creature is a monster, I distrust and fear these so-called scientists and researchers. They are sociopaths, they are dangerous.
It astonishes me that such cruelty can be legalized.I often wondered what happened to that animal when I first saw the horrific picture.It has haunted me. I’m glad things have turned out better. Animal experimentation has to stop.
This shit needs to stop Now, Its all don for profit, horrible…
Normally I’m a pretty laid back individual who doesn’t seek confrontation but I have to be honest, I find situations such as this to be utterly disturbing. It takes real cold hearted bastards to cnduct such disgusting behavior and I honestly believe many of these people are psychologically disturbed.
If I had my way, anyone responsible would be put through torture themselves. Start experimenting on gang members, hardened convicted felons and the likes. They’re useless anyway and considering these products are made for humans, what better way than to test such products on humans for humans.
I totally agree with you! Let’s test those products on the rapist, pediphile s and murders. Let’s leave the defenseless animals alone!
If there were no money on it or lies to support it, testing wouldn’t exist. Follow the money and you will have the REAL reason testing exists. For the other reason Please visit http://www.dianetics.org to discover the “reactive mind” and how to get rid of it.
These products have been with us for many many years. I don’t understand why they have to continue to do needless experiments to see what adverse effects it can have on humans.
Yes, Crimini can site the lab name. There is no law against this. By not citing the lab name they simply support the abuse. Is it just fear?
Great thing that the pig was rescued but sad the rescuer is too much of a coward to divulge the name of the lab.