Many people have never met “farm animals”; animals that are “used” or thought of as “food.” Yet, cows, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, turkeys, ducks, and other farm animals are not just faceless commodities; they are individual, sentient beings with unique personalities and emotions — just like the dogs and cats with which many of us share our homes. Animals feel joy, pain, grief, fear, desire, and pleasure, and just like us— and they want to live. Yet, billions of animals lead short and miserable, lonely lives, only to be killed as babies or young adults every year. They do not want to die, and they run from death if given a chance. We believe that everyone, every being, deserves to live a happy life without being tortured, abused, or killed.
Animal agriculture, which is the business of raising animals for food, is an inherently cruel and disturbing industry. There are reasons why not many people have witnessed animal slaughter; it is haunting, gruesome, cruel, and disturbing. And it’s not just the meat and fish industries that are cruel; dairy is no exception. Dairy farming is an exploitation of the female gender, and its practices include stealing mothers’ milk from babies, ripping babies from their mothers at birth, and killing the baby boys since they cannot get pregnant and make milk. Human beings are the only mammals that consume milk in adulthood, and we choose to consume it from other species, which is not only unhealthy and strange but incredibly cruel. Milk is species unique; humans should drink human milk as babies, cows should drink cow milk, goats should drink goat milk; you get the picture.
The other component is kindness. Why would we knowingly participate in something so inherently cruel? Wouldn’t we prefer to live a life that supports kindness and compassion? You can. We can. By not eating animals and animal products, you promote kindness, animal welfare, and a more compassionate world. Animals are here with us, not for us. When you choose to respect life and honor kindness, peace will fill your heart. You will feel fantastic; you’ll sleep better knowing you didn’t participate in a cruel and horrific practice. Do you think your choices and actions can make a difference? The answer is “absolutely yes.”
On February 23, 2022, an exhausted Deb shared a heartbreaking message about 4 newborn baby goats fighting for their lives who were discarded by a dairy farm and rescued from an auction. Please watch.
Check out this link to see the impact of being vegan: www.vegancalculator.com
According to USDA statistics, the average American, from birth to death, eats over 3000 land animals in their lifetime.
I love this quote from a former cattle rancher turned vegan and animal advocate:
“No animal needs to die in order for me to live. And that makes me feel good.”
-Howard Lyman
No journey is the same. It takes time to change a part of yourself that is all-encompassing, like the way you eat and have eaten your whole life, due to habits, traditions, convenience, and taste. Small changes can lead to significant results. Start by watching one documentary, having one meatless meal a day, or start with “meatless Mondays.” Talk to your loved ones and ask for their support of your awakenings and changes in your habits of consuming animal products.
“Each of us can make a difference. Together we can make change.”
-Barbara Mikulski
A few websites and documentaries to inspire change:
