Ad Promotes Health Charities that Don't Fund Animal Tests; Trend Grows Toward Socially Responsible Giving

WASHINGTON—Actor Noah Wyle, a.k.a. Dr. John Carter on NBC's "ER," has joined a group of physicians in a national campaign to promote those health charities that don't fund or conduct animal experiments. Wyle stars in an ad produced by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) that is being distributed to 1,000 radio stations this week.

The ad introduces the Humane Charity Seal of Approval, a unique certification program that allows potential donors to quickly identify those health charities that match their values and don't fund animal tests. A recent survey shows that the majority of Americans prefer "cruelty-free" charities.

As Wyle says in the ad, "When health charities ask for your support, please give generously. And when you do, always look for the Humane Charity Seal of Approval. The Humane Seal is their way of telling you that they will use your donation for patient services, health education or vital research—and that they do not fund experiments on animals."

The first program of its kind in the world, the Humane Seal is administered by PCRM on behalf of the Council on Humane Giving, a coalition of doctors and animal protection organizations. It was launched last year. More than 200 charities, including Easter Seals, have received approval to date.

The PSA campaign also features "Golden Girl" Rue McClanahan, award-winning actor Edward Asner, and Pamelyn Ferdin, the former voice of Lucy on the Peanuts TV specials and child star of "The Odd Couple."

The Humane Seal is part of a major shift in the philanthropic world toward "socially responsible giving" with more donors directing their contributions toward nonanimal research. Last year Kmart, Publix, and SaraLee corporations restricted their March of Dimes donations to patient services and education.

A list of certified charities is posted at HumaneSeal.org.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research,and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.