In a world where there is no shortage of distressing news stories, it’s challenging to be heard amidst the noise. But The Humane Society International has figured out a way to get their point across in hard-hitting stop-motion animated short #SaveRalph, and numerous Hollywood heavyweights—including Canada’s Battlestar Galactica star Tricia Helfer and award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (who lends his voice to the French language version coming April 12th)  —have signed on to help. No one who watches this will ever look at rabbits the same way. 

Narrated through the perspective of Ralph, audiences get a tour through a regular day in the life of a lab bunny. The emotional and gutting short film sheds light on the fact that there are many countries (including Canada) that still do not have rules and regulations around animal testing. 

“Save Ralph is a wake-up call that animals are still suffering for cosmetics, and now is the time for us to come together to ban it globally,” says Jeffrey Flocken, Humane Society International’s President, who hopes the film will inspire widespread change in policy.

Ralph, spokes-bunny for HSI’s global campaign to ban cosmetic testing on animals

For Helfer, lending her voice to the cause was a no brainer. “I felt it was vital to help create awareness that there is currently no policy in Canada to protect animals from cosmetic testing. Together with HSI/Canada we are urging the Canadian government to make the necessary changes to ensure a policy be implemented to protect the animals from unnecessary harm and suffering,” says the animal-loving actor.

With the amount of amazing cruel-free beauty products available, there really is no excuse to be torturing animals. 

#SaveRalph is available to watch on YouTube and includes voice acting by Taika Waititi, Ricky Gervais, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, Pom Klementieff, Denis Villeneuve, Tricia Helfer, and others. Audiences are encouraged to spread awareness of the campaign and share thoughts with #SaveRalph, and also take action.