The best guide to vegan products, whether food, cosmetics, household, footware, clothing or healthcare etc, is the “Animal Free Shopper” published and sold by the Vegan Society, www.vegansociety.com or download free from www.animalfreeshopper.com (without which this guide would have been harder to produce!). Look out for the Vegan Society trademark sunflower logo on a range of products and services. For lots of great info and advice on going veggie/vegan with free guides to download or books to buy, visit www.vegansociety.com, www.viva.org.uk, www.vegetarian.org.uk and www.animalaid.org.uk. There’s more info on vegan products at www.isitvegan.info. Youth websites are Animal Aid’s www.youth4animals.com and www.eatthis.org.uk and Viva’s www.vivaactivists.org.uk.

HEALTH FOODS/ORGANIC

Leeds City Centre

Holland & Barrett, 21 Bond St Mall, Bond St Centre, LS1 5ER. tel: 0113 246 7011
Holland & Barrett, 37 Merrion Centre, LS2 8NG, tel: 0113 234 2828  
Julian Graves, 32 Merion Centre, LS2 8NG, tel: 0113 245 9038
Org Organics, 79 Great George Street, LS1 3BR, tel: 0113 234 7000
Out of This World, 20 New Market Street, LS1 6DG, tel: 0113 244 1881
The Healthfood Co, 16 Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ,  tel: 0113 245 3145   

Outside City Centre

Green Action Food Co-op, based in Leeds Uni Union, under the stairs, opposite the Old Bar (Mon-Fri 11-4pm, term-time)
Holland & Barrett,11 Arndale Centre, Crossgates, Leeds, LS15 8ET, tel: 0113 264 8326  
Love Organic, 4 Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4PE, tel: 0113 266 3030
Natural Food Store, 23 North Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3HW, tel: 0113 278 4944  
Oakwood Healthfoods, 458 Roundhay Rd, Oakwood, Leeds, LS8 2HU, tel:0113 2179977  
Purely Natural, 98 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4AP, tel: 0113 258 0283  

Near Leeds

Chevin Wholefood Stores, 44 Boroughgate, Otley, LS21 1AE, tel: 01943 850323  
Otley Apothecary, 16 Bondgate, Otley, LS21 3AB, tel: 01943 465544  
The Good Life, 32 Market Place, Wetherby, LS22 6NE, tel: 01937 587564  
Holland & Barrett, 19 Brooke Street, Ilkley, LS29 8AA, tel: 01943 817162  
The Green Health Shop, The Moors Shopping Centre, South Hawksworth Street, Ilkley, LS29 9LB, tel: 01943 816435  
C L Brimelow & Sons Ltd, 1 Crackenedge Lane, Dewsbury, WF13 1QD
Suma Wholefoods, Lacy Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, nr Halifax, HX5 9DB, tel: 01422 313845, www.suma.coop, bulk buy only

VEGGIE CAFÉS

Cheerful Chilli, Yorkgate Farm, East Chevin Road, Otley, LS21 3DD, tel: 01943 466567
Green & Bousfield Organic Café, 32 Leeds Road, Ilkley, LS29 8DS, tel: 01943 600245
Hansa’s Restaurant, 72-74 North Street, Leeds, LS2 7PN, tel: 0113 244 4408
Peach and Pear Café, 92A Brudenell Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6
Roots & Fruits Café, 10 Grand Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6PG, tel: 0113 242 8313
The Common Place (vegan) 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds, LS2 7EQ, tel: 0845 345 7334
The Hungry Caterpillar, 8 The Crescent, Hyde Park Corner, Leeds, LS6 2NW, tel: 07968 302382

For nearby veggie/vegan cafés and veggie-and vegan-friendly cafés in and near Leeds, visit www.leedsveg.co.uk/eatingout.htm. LeedsVeg’s excellent recipe book, “A Taste of Leeds”, is available from LeedsVeg stalls (see www.leedsveg.co.uk/otherevents.htm) or by mail order from the Vegan Society www.vegansociety.com, Viva www.viva.org.uk and Animal Aid www.animalaid.org.uk. Sellers of organic fruit and veg, including box schemes, can be found on www.leedsveg.co.uk. Lots of cafes and restaurants will provide vegetarian and vegan options, sometimes with advance notice and most coffee houses now serve soya milk so can you still have your latte without the dairy.

VEGAN FOOD PRODUCTS

All the major supermarkets stock a good range of vegan (animal-free) products including their own brand soya milk (in the long life milk or free-from sections) and there are now even separate sections for special diets and organic in the main shopping aisles, fruit & veg displays and chiller cabinet and freezer sections. Below is a list of the main vegan food brands although, of course, it is not exhaustive and new products are always coming onto the market. The products below can be bought or ordered (just ask) in the healthfood shops above or by mail order from the makers while most supermarkets stock Alpro, Cauldron, Linda McCartney, Realeat, Plamil, Redwoods, Swedish Glace, Sosmix and/or Burgamix products. Also see the mail order section below for online shops selling a range of brands. If you’re new to soya milk, it’s worth experimenting with afew brands or different ranges (eg added calcium) as their taste and texture can differ.

www.alprosoya.co.uk  Alpro Soya brand of milk, yoghurts, desserts, tofu, custard and single cream. Provamel brand of rice milk       
www.beanieshealthfoods.co.uk Fry’s brand of frozen food such as sausages, burgers, cutlets, mince etc. Alicer’s Veggie’s brand of frozen burgers. B’Nice rice cream          
www.beany.co.uk  Dragonfly brand of organic burgers, soysages and tatties    
www.boojabooja.com  Booja Booja’s delicious organic chocolate truffles
www.buteisland.com  Scheese brand of alternatives to hard and cream cheeses
www.cauldronfoods.co.uk  Cauldron’s non-GM, mostly organic range of plain, marinated and beech smoked tofu and falafels
www.cocoatree.co.uk  Cocoa Tree chocolates    
www.dairy-free.co.uk   Dairy Free’s brand of soya chocolate, tastes like milk chocolate
www.dovesfarm.co.uk   Dove’s Farm organic biscuits, cakes and cereals    
www.hain-celestial.co.uk  Extensive mainly organic range. Realeat brand of frozen foods – meat-free bacon, VegeBurgers, VegeMince and VegeRoasts. Granose and Soy Dream soya milks, Rice Dream rice milk. Direct Foods’ brand of Sosmix and Burgamix.
www.lindamccartneyfoods.co.uk Linda McCartney frozen range of sausages, burgers etc
www.meridianfoods.co.uk   Meridian range includes fruit spreads, sauces, pestos, peanut butters, yeast extract, soya sauces, tahini and wholenut spreads
www.montezumas.co.uk   Montezumas’ devine chocolate bars and truffles    
www.oatly.com   Oatly brand of oat milks and oat alternative to cream
www.plamilfoods.co.uk  Plamil’s mostly organic brand of chocolate (tastes like milk chocolate), carob bars, chocloate spreads, mayonnaises and soya milk (also mail order)
www.redwoodfoods.co.uk  Extensive range of non-GM foods. Cheatin’ brand of meat-free slices, rashers and roasts (taste like meat). Cheezly brand of normal and melting soya cheese. Vegideli brand of sausages, schnitzels, nuggets, falafel, paté, Thai fish-style cakes and fishless steaks. Fabulous Fudge Factory brand of fudge (discount for Vegan Society and Viva members)
www.soya-group.com  Sunrise range of soya milk
www.suma.co.uk  Suma’s extensive brand of foods
www.swedishglace.com  Swedish Glace legendary soya desserts like dairy ice cream
www.taifun-tofu.com   Taifun’s range of non-GM tofu blocks  - plain, smoked and with things added such as seeds, herbs, tomatoes, sausages, snacks and a terrine www.trianobrands.co.uk  Tofutti’s excellent brand of soya frozen desserts, similar to ice-cream, and alternatives to cream cheese and cheese slices  
www.vinceremos.co.uk Vinceremos organic, mainly vegan wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks   
www.wholeearthfoods.com  Whole Earth’s mostly organic brand of fruit spreads, peanut butters, cereals, snacks, soft drinks, coffee alternatives, baked beans and tomato ketchup     
www.wickenfen.co.uk  Wicken Fen’s large range of non-GM sausages, burgers, nuggets and vegetable cakes
www.zedzfoods.co.uk  Zedz Foods’ brand of wheat-free, mainly vegan sweet and savoury muffins, burgers, pastries, flapjacks

CRUELTY-FREE COSMETICS & TOILETRIES

The independent healthfood shops listed above sell a wide range of cruelty-free cosmetics, toiletries and household products. Items not usually stocked may be ordered by customers. Just ask! Also see the mail order section below. Most supermarkets stock some cruelty-free cosmetics and toiletries and own brand household products. Labels such as “not tested on animals” refer to the final product and may contain ingredients which have been animal tested and animal ingredients.    

For a regularly updated list of non-animal tested cosmetics and household products, go to www.gocrueltyfree.org or look out for the BUAV’s “leaping bunny” logo, left. Please bear in mind that this logo and other, similar bunny logos do not guarantee no animal ingredients. A list of non-animal tested cosmetics and household products can be found at www.shac.net which gives the cut-off testing dates of companies. For another list of non-animal testing companies and which supermarket own brands are non-animal tested, go to www.uncaged.co.uk/crueltyfree.htm. The Vegan Society sunflower symbol at the top of this guide and Viva’s logo are the best guarantees of both no animal testing and no animal ingredients.    

B Never Too Busy to be Beautiful, 21 Commercial St, Leeds, LS1 6AL, tel: 0113 234 6060
Id Aromatics, 12 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL, tel: 0113 242 4983
Lush, 31 Commercial St, Leeds, LS1 6EX, tel: 0113 243 3626  
Marks and Spencer (own brand)
47 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6HF, tel: 0113 243 2667
Moortown Corner, 371 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 6DW, tel: 0113 237 0606
The Owlcotes Centre, Varley Street, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 6AR, tel: 0113 236 1333
Neal’s Yard Remedies, 20 County Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6BN, tel: 0113 2438924
The Body Shop Although Body Shop products are not animal tested, its parent company, L’Oreal, animal tests.
17 The Light, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 8TL, tel: 0113 2457596
64 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LH, tel: 01132 341064
12 Leeds City Station, Leeds, LS1 4DT, tel: 0113 2453593
White Rose Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LL, tel: 0113 2772032
The Co-op (own brand)
75 Lincoln Green Road, Leeds, LS9 7SR, tel: 0113 248 0258
132 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LU, tel: 0113 278 5575
411 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6AP, tel: 0113 249 7830
1 Capitol Parade, Green Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4JW, tel: 0113 274 4799
Beech Avenue, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3AH, tel: 0113 231 0909
29 Coldcotes Circus, Gipton, Leeds, LS9 6QQ, tel: 0113 249 7456
260 Oakwood Lane, Hollin Park, Leeds, LS8 3LE, tel: 0113 240 2860
Town Street, Beeston Shopping Centre, Leeds, LS11 8PN, tel: 0113 270 8261
44a Selby Road, Wykebeck, Leeds, LS9 0JH, tel: 0113 248 3469
399 Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds, LS17 6DJ, tel: 0113 268 6926
60 High Street, Kippax, Leeds, tel: 0113 287 3030  

Other common brands available in healthfood shops or by mail order include:
Barry M Cosmetics  www.barrym.com
Beauty Without Cruelty  www.beautywithoutcruelty.com
Camilla Hepper www.camillahepper.co.uk
Culpeper www.culpeper.co.uk
Dolma  www.dolma-perfumes.co.uk
Faith in Nature  www.faithinnature.co.uk
Green People  www.greenpeople.co.uk
Honesty Cosmetics  www.honestycosmetics.co.uk
Jason  www.jason-natural.com 
Kingfisher  www.kingfishertoothpaste.com
Kiss My Face  www.kissmyface.com
Lavera  www.lavera.co.uk
Liz Earle  www.lizearle.com
Meadowsweet  www.meadowsweet.co.uk
Montagne Jeunesse  www.montagnejeunesse.co.uk
Napiers  www.napiers.net
Natracare   www.natracare.com
Original Source  www.originalsource.co.uk
Tisserand Aromatherapy Products  www.tisserand.com
Tom’s of Maine  www.tomsofmaine.com
Urban Decay  www.urbandecay.com
Weleda  www.weleda.co.uk
Yaoh  www.yaoh.co.uk

CRUELTY-FREE HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

See info above for cosmetics and toiletries. The Co-op and Marks and Spencer own brands are non-animal tested, see above for a list of shops. Also see the mail order section below.

Common brands include:   
Astonish  www.astonishcleaners.com     
Bio-D  www.biodegradable.biz              
Clear Spring  www.faithinnature.co.uk                             
Earth Friendly  www.greenbrands.co.uk       
Ecos Paints  www.ecosorganicpaints.com                        

FOOTWEAR & CLOTHING

There are now high-quality, practical, animal-free materials including synthetic leather, hemp and canvas used for footwear, bags, belts, wallets etc. The leather industry is a highly profitable part of the meat industry and you can’t support one without the other. Companies such as Vegetarian Shoes use a material which is great for everyday wear, is breathable, durable, water-resistant, 70-80% biodegradable and easy to clean. Other animal products to avoid are wool, fur and silk. 

The Attic, Merrion Centre, (above Out of Step Records) Leeds, LS2 8PJ, tel: 0113 244 8896, sells the “Vegetarian Shoes” brand and other ethical clothing. See also the mail order companies section below.

Several high street shops and Marks and Spencer sell a selection of non-leather footwear. Look out for man-made, textile, non-leather or synthetic labels or the symbols below.

BHS, 28 Albion Arcade, Leeds, LS1 5ER, tel: 0845 8410215
BHS, White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LL, tel: 0845 8410296
BHS, 2 Bridge Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3BL, tel: 0845 8410216
Debenhams, 121 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX, tel: 08445 616161
Dolcis (inside Envy), 97 Briggate, Leeds, LS1, tel: 0113 245 8045
Dolcis, White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LL, tel: 0113 276 5278
New Look, Headrow Shopping Centre, Leeds, LS1 6JB, tel: 0113 203 1170
New Look, Bond Street Centre, Leeds, LS1 5ER, tel: 0113 234 2736
New Look, White Rose Shopping Centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LL, tel: 0113 271 5818
New Look, 50/51 Arndale Centre, Crossgates, Leeds, LS15 8EU, tel: 0113 232 8599
Peacocks,  Unit 1, Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8PJ, tel: 0113 2426995
Peacocks, Crown Point Retail Park, Junction Street, Leeds, LS10 1ET, tel: 0113 2459287
Peacocks, Unit 10B Seacroft Green, Leeds, LS14 6JD, tel: 0113 2651362
Peacocks, Unit SU40 Crossgates Shopping Centre, Leeds, LS15 8EU, tel: 0113 2649608
Primark, The Old Odeon, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1, tel: 0113 2457848
Ravel, 9 King Charles Walk, Headrow Shopping Centre, Leeds, tel: 0113 2340986
Shoe Express, 16-17 Kirkgate, Leeds, tel: 0113 2458128
Shoefayre, 2 Commercial street, Leeds, tel: 0113 2824732
Shoe Zone, 120 Kirkgate/34 Central Road, Leeds, LS1 6BY, tel: 0113 2449511
Stead & Simpson, 21 Arndale Centre, Crossgates, Leeds, tel: 0113 2649629
Woolworths,  66-67 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8NG, tel: 0113 244 4402
Woolworths,  7 Station Road, Crossgates, Leeds, LS15 8DB, tel: 0113 264 0199
Woolworths, 18 Church Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 7TZ, tel: 0113 257 6235

These symbols indicate which materials were used in the manufacture of footwear and other goods:

                                                                                                    

Leather              Coated leather       Natural, synthetic or non-woven     All other materials   

                                                                      textile materials

                                                    (may include wool, animal hair or silk)

MAIL ORDER/ONLINE SHOPPING

Many items are organic, environmentally-friendly, fairtrade etc. References to footwear, accessories, toiletries etc are for both men and women unless otherwise stated.

www.alternativesoles.com  extensive range of “essential ethical products” including adult and children’s footwear, food (discount for Viva members)
www.animalaid.org.uk toiletries, footwear, belts, books, snacks etc
www.beyondskin.co.uk  ladies’ footwear
www.bboheme.com Bourgeois Boheme’s “fashion with compassion” shoes and accessories (discount for Viva members)  
www.ethicalsuperstore.com ethical gifts and gadgets, fairtrade and organic groceries
www.ethicalwares.com footwear, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, books, music
www.fionasshop.co.uk bulk buy – over 5,000 products incl wholefoods, toiletries, household products, cat and dog food
www.freerangers.co.uk  footwear, accessories, lotions and potions, Celtic collection
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk  large range incl organic food, household products, toiletries
www.greenol.co.uk  bulk buy organic food, toiletries, dog and cat food, household products etc
www.hempish.com  for all things hemp – clothing, bags, food, body care
www.lembas.co.uk  bulk buy large range of food, toiletries, household products, cat and dog food etc  
www.naturalcollection.com  large range of eco products   
www.nocows.com toiletries, wines
www.veganline.com footwear, belts, wallets, shoe polish
www.vegansociety.com books, clothing, personal items, accessories etc
www.veganstore.co.uk  over 800 items including footwear, accessories, jackets, food, household products, toiletries
www.vegetarian.org.uk books, T-shirts, toiletries, gifts, snacks
www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk  footwear, jackets, belts etc
www.veggiestuff.com  wide range of food, toiletries and cat and dog food
www.viva.org.uk books, clothes, confectionary, gifts, toiletries, dog treats etc  

COMPANION ANIMALS

Animal Food & Care Products

There are lots of veggie pet foods not tested on animals. The trick is finding which food your pet approves of! (Easier for dogs.) Buy from the manufacturers below, the mail order section above or bulk buy from Suma – see health foods/organic section at top.

www.aminews.co.uk Ami brand of veggie cat and dog food, biodegradable cat litter, dog “bones” and treats
www.benevofoods.com Benevo brand of veggie cat and dog food
www.denes.com Bioforce flower essences for pets, Denes brand of vet approved herbal medicines, herbal supplements, aromatherapy for cats and dogs. Mail order or phone 01273 325364 for local suppliers  
www.happidog.co.uk Happidog veggie dog food, mail order or visit online store finder    
www.trophypetsfoods.co.uk  Trophy brand of meat-based cat and dog food. Small mammal food. Treats and accessories. Mail order or contact local suppliers on 01367 240333 or sales@trophypetfoods.co.uk
www.veggiepets.com large online shop of veggie dog and cat foods, natural cat litters, catnip, supplements, herbal medicines, ethical pet care products, food for rescued farm animals, rabbit and guinea pig food
www.yarrah.com  Yarrah brand of organic, meaty dog and cat food, some dog food is veggie  

Animal Shelters

As well as rehoming a needy animal, you may be able to give abit of your time in volunteering for a shelter, mainly with walking, feeding, cleaning or home checking. If you can’t give a permanent home, you may be able to foster or sponsor an animal. There is currently no RSPCA shelter in Leeds. For details of the shelters in Bradford, Halifax and York, visit the local pages of www.rspca.org.uk.   

Cats   

Canalside Cat Rescue, Maltings Cottage, Whitecote Lane, Leeds, tel: 0113 259 1227
Cat Action Trust (1977) - Leeds branch tel: 07881 955823, www.cat77.org.uk
Cats Protection – Leeds (Adel and district branch), tel: 0113 261 0694, email (to adopt a cat): homeacat@gmail.com, email (general enquiries): adelbranch@aol.com, http://adel.cats.org.uk, National CP Helpline: 08702 099 099
Leeds Cat Rescue, tel: 0113 268 0488 or email larc@btconnect.com
West Riding Cat Rescue, tel: 0113 256 5300, email: westridingcatrescue@yahoo.com, www.westridingcatrescue.co.uk
Visit www.catchat.org for more shelters in and around West Yorkshire

Dogs   

Dogs Trust, Woodlands Farm,York Road, Leeds, LS15 4NL, tel: 0113 281 4920 www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/our_centres/leeds
Whitehall Dog Rescue, Greenacres Farm, Cave Lane, East Ardsley, Wakefield, WF3 2BB, tel: 07831 421715 (best no. to ring as they’re usually out walking dogs or try 01924 835700), calls taken up to 8pm every day. Visitors by appointment only, please ring first. www.whitehalldogrescue.co.uk
Visit www.dogpages.org.uk for more shelters in and around West Yorkshire

Cats & Dogs   

Ponderosa Rescue Kennels and Cattery, Ninevah Lane, Allerton Bywater, Castleford, WF10 2EW, tel: 01977 552303 or 516713 www.ponderosa.org.uk

Finding homes for older dogs (and afew cats) www.oldies.org.uk 

Cats, Dogs, Rabbits & Others   

Yorkshire Animal Shelter, Greengates Stables, Otley Old Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5HY, tel: 0113 2037236, www.yorkshireanimalshelter.org.uk 

Victims of domestic violence can find foster homes for their dogs with the Dogs Trust Freedom Project (cats are referred to Cats Protection), phone 0800 083 4322 or email freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk. Other schemes are Paws for Kids at www.pawsforkids.org.uk and the RSPCA’s Pet Retreat, email petretreat@rspca.org.uk but neither currently covers Yorkshire. 

Lost & Found Cats & Dogs

Alert nearby animal centres and vets. The main reason thousands of cats and dogs are lost every year and never reunited with their owners is simply because they can’t be properly identified. The biggest single thing you can do to improve the chances of getting your pet back is to have it microchipped. That gives the animal its own unique number which is entered onto the national PetLog database with the owner’s details. Rabbits, horses and reptiles can also be microchipped. Your vet or the RSPCA York Animal Home (tel: 01904 654949 or email admin@rspca-yorkhome.org.uk) can microchip your pet.  

Many Cats Protection branches keep details of missing cats in their local area, details above.

Lost or found dogs should be reported to the Council’s dog warden service on 0845 1240113 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm) and the nearest police station on 0845 6060606. Outside the normal dog warden service hours (above) you should contact 01484 426407 or 01924 863037 to arrange to take a stray dog to the council's acceptance point. Please note these numbers will only accept queries relating to a stray dog who needs to be handed in, out of hours. The council will not collect stray dogs out of hours. Please don’t take a stray dog to your local police station as they will not take it in. There’s a national database for lost and found dogs at www.doglost.co.uk with lots of advice.

The Cinnamon Trust

The national charity for elderly or terminally ill people and their pets who the Trust aims to keep together. If a person needs help with the care of their companion, the Trust arranges for a local volunteer to help out, eg daily walking dogs for housebound owners, fostering pets when owners need hospital care, changing litter trays, fetching pet food, cleaning bird/hamster/rabbit cages, taking pets to vets. If a pet is bereaved, the Trust takes on their lifetime care. Short-term and lifelong foster homes needed. Tel: 01736 757900, email: admin@cinnamon.org.uk, www.cinnamon.org.uk

How to find a Pet Friendly Care Home

Tell the care home you want to take your pet with you. Many homes will agree if your pet doesn’t upset other residents. Ask if there’s a positive pets policy and what it covers. Will your pet have their own care plan and what happens when you pass on? The Cinnamon Trust compiles a Pet Friendly Care Home Register, details above. Organisations like Grace Care have independent advisers to help you find the right care home, phone 0800 137669 or visit www.grace-care.com. Care home groups where pets may be welcome are Barchester Healthcare, phone 020 7352 2224, www.barchester.com and the Anchor Trust, phone 020 8652 1900, www.anchor.org.uk.   

Homeopathic Vets

Mr B Clarke and Mrs W Dixon, Tower Wood Veterinary Group, 27 Tinshill Road, Cookridge, Leeds, LS13 1JA, tel: 0113 267 8419
Mrs S Armstrong, Balanced Being, Unit 8, Erivan Park, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby, LS22 7DN, tel: 01937 543860
From www.bahvs.com – British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons

Pet Insurance

Animal Friends Insurance is the only UK pet insurance business to donate 100% of their net profits to help animal charities worldwide. Tel 0844 55 70 300 or see www.animalfriends.org.uk.

Petplan specialises in domestic pet insurance and was one of the first companies to enter the market. They work closely with animal charities and re-homing centres and they also created and donate to the Petplan Charitable Trust which has awarded almost £5 million in grants. This money has provided grants for disease studies, welfare and education projects across the country. Phone 0845 077 1934 or visit www.petplan.co.uk.

The RSPCA does pet insurance with 20% of the premium going towards funding their work www.rspca.org.uk/petinsurance.

ANIMAL CHARITY SHOPS

PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals)
28 Central Road, Leeds, tel: 0113 2465752 (city centre)
57 Otley Road, Leeds, tel: 0113 2746634
14 Austhorpe Road, Leeds, tel: 0113 2326786
Unit 6, Bramley Shopping Centre, Leeds, tel: 0113 2394762
6 Kirkgate, Otley, tel: 01943 463371

RSPCA
10-12 New Market Street, Leeds, tel: 0113 2420463 (city centre)
40 Commercial St, Rothwell, Leeds, tel: 0113 2887805
16 Austhorpe Road, Leeds, tel: 0113 2328209
59 Street Lane, Leeds, tel: 0113 2888466
43 Lidget Hill, Pudsey, Leeds, tel: 0113 2361770
327 Harehills Lane, Leeds, tel: 0113 2401828
47 Bramley Centre, Leeds, tel: 0113 2394671
Sandway Business Centre, Shannon Street, Leeds, tel: 0113 2495231
56 Town Street, Armley, Leeds, tel: 0113 2791221 (Furniture Shop)
10B Boroughgate, Otley, tel: 01943 466990

Tia Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue, 7 New Market, Otley, tel: 01943 467203

COMPASSIONATE PRESENTS

See the mail order section above for gifts. Give membership of an animal welfare organisation, such as mentioned in this guide. Give sponsorship of an animal/kennel/cattery at a local shelter or sponsor a local horse or donkey at Hope Pastures, Weetwood Lane, Leeds, LS26 5PH, tel: 0113 261 4344 (day) or 0113 279 1856 (eve), email phtrust@fsmail.net, www.hopepastures.org. Give sponsorship of a rescued farm animal at Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Hill Top Farm, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich, Norfolk, Tel: 01603 891227, email contact@hillside.org.uk, www.hillside.org.uk.

If you’d like to donate to a health charity, visit www.animalaid.org.uk and search for “charities” to find out which do and don’t test on animals.

For tax efficient donations to charities, visit www.charityfacts.org/smart_giving.

FINANCES

Since 1989, Ethical Investors has pioneered financial advice on ethical, socially responsible and environmental investment. They advise on investments, mortgages and pensions and distribute at least 50% of their net profit to charities and good causes each year, www.ethicalinvestors.co.uk. More info on the Ethical Banking and Investment page at www.vegansociety.com. Some animal welfare organisations do credit cards. 

Insurance 

The Environmental Transport Association provides a wide range of breakdown services for motorists and cyclists and house and travel insurance. They are the only motoring organisation to campaign for a sustainable transport system. Phone 0800 212 810 or visit www.eta.co.uk - discount for members of Animal Aid.

Freedom Insurance Services Ltd has travel insurance with 10% of the premium helping to fund the work of RSPCA International, working for animals all over the world. Phone 0870 774 3759 or visit www.insurewithfreedom.co.uk.

Animal Friends Insurance has life insurance for people with a discount for vegetarians. They are the only UK pet insurance business to donate 100% of their net profits to help animal charities worldwide. Phone 0844 55 70 300 or visit www.animalfriends.org.uk.

Naturesave does a range of personal and household insurances. Its aim is to encourage the adoption of more environmentally aware trading practices in businesses by using the insurance industry as a vehicle for sustainable development. Phone 01803 864390 or visit www.naturesave.co.uk. 

ENVIRONMENT

Conservation

The BTCV - Hollybush Conservation Centre provides practical conservation experience for volunteers and businesses. Broad Lane, Leeds, LS5 3BP, tel: 0113 274 2335, www.ukattraction.com/yorkshire/btcv.htm.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are always on the lookout for new volunteers who can give as much or as little time as their circumstances allow to help protect Yorkshire’s wildlife. Tel: 01904 659570, email info@ywt.org.uk or visit www.ywt.org.uk. 

Sustainable Living in Leeds

The Leeds Ecovillage scheme aspires to build an urban ecovillage community in Leeds based on the principles of ecological sustainability, co-operation and inclusivity,
www.leeds-ecovillage.org.uk.

The Leeds Permaculture Network is a group of people interested in learning about and using permaculture to transform our local environment and living spaces. Permaculture is a system of design, ethics and principles for sustainable living based on the philosophy of co-operation with nature and caring for the earth and its people. Phone 0845 458 1805 or email lpn@permaculture.org.uk for more info.

Wildlife Gardening 

There are many websites giving lots of advice. Try some of these: www.wildlifetrusts.org
www.wildlife-gardening.co.uk      www.english-nature.org.uk      www.rspb.org.uk     www.wildaboutgardens.org
Remember to provide birds with food and water all year round and put peanuts in mesh feeders as otherwise the whole nuts can choke baby birds.

Composting

The Council has a special scheme offering all Leeds residents subsidised home compost bins. Go to www.leeds.gov.uk/composting.

Reuse    

Leeds City Council has an incentive scheme to encourage parents and carers to try real nappies (subject to availability). Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/nappy for details. Freecycle allows you to give your unwanted items to others in Leeds, see www.freecycle.org.

Animal farming uses much more land, energy and water than plant-based agriculture and causes much water and air pollution. The livestock industry produces 18% of the global greenhouse gas emissions measured in CO2 equivalent compared to only 13.5% of the transport sector (UN report Livestock’s Long Shadow, 2006). It’s greener to go vegan than change a petrol car to a hybrid one (Eshel G & Martin P, 2006, Earth Interactions, Vol 10). Check out the impact of eating meat and dairy as well as other lifestyle choices at www.earthday.net/footprint and visit the environment pages of the Vegan Society, Viva and Animal Aid websites (given at the start of this guide).

Recycle   

For details of what to recycle and where, visit the Council’s website www.leeds.gov.uk and search for “green bin” and “recycling sites”.

Tetra paks and other paper-based cartons can be recycled at several sites: Milner Road waste sorting site, Yeadon, LS19 7JE; Owlcoates shopping centre, Pudsey, LS28 7JE; Meanwood Road waste sorting site, Leeds, LS7 2LP; White Rose shopping centre, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 8LU and Thorp Arch waste sorting site, Thorp Arch industrial estate, Wetherby, LS23 7BJ.  

Littering

One of the easiest ways to protect wildlife from injury is to recycle wherever possible and dispose of all litter thoughtfully and carefully. Hedgehogs can get their heads trapped inside plastic yoghurt cartons, tin cans and polystyrene drinks cups. Enticed by leftovers, once inside they can’t back out due to their spikes, leaving them to starve to death. The plastic loops which hold cans together are also wildlife traps. Cutting the loops before throwing away can easily solve this, ditto elastic bands. Plastic bags can blow away or trap or suffocate animals who climb inside, so tie a knot in them before recycling or reuse them. Balloons can kill if eaten so cut up used balloons before throwing in the bin. Always put your rubbish in a proper bin but remember it may still end up on an open tip and be a danger to animals. Tell the council about any areas where litter has accumulated.    

Please note that LAP are neither affiliated to nor directly connected with any company or organisation and that the guide is provided for information only. Product details may change, please contact the supplier or manufacturer if unsure. The guide highlights organisations which to our knowledge supply cruelty-free products but must not be taken as an endorsement of any specific product. Details correct as of April 2008.   

Leeds Animal Protection
Tel: 0113 264 9006
Email: lapenquiries@hotmail.com
www.leedsanimalprotection.org.uk