Why Vegan?

The grassroots organization, Vegan Outreach, publishes a popular pamphlet called "Why Vegan?". It's a great question, and their answer is basically to call attention to the immense suffering endured on modern farms. This is undeniably true. Take turkeys for instance. Just hours after hatching, the tips of their beaks are cut off, along with the tips of their toes. The male snood is ripped or cut off. They then spend the rest of their lives in cages so small, that in the short three months they are alive, the stress leads them to violently lash out at each other.

Swayed yet? It's definitely an effective strategy, especially combined with the gruesome photos. But it can also be a turn off to many people, and fails to totally encapsulate the reasons for choosing an animal-free diet. On the turkey flipside:















There's the real reason. It's not the caged animals, but the uncaged ones. They enjoy their freedom. Every morning, they are so excited to be let out and catch their first glimpse of the new day. If you're lucky enough to have some free time to spend with them, you're greeted with a welcome not expected from birds. No, they're not hungry- they like you. Turkeys love the attention. At other times you can find them dust-bathing, scratching at the ground for food, napping on a warm afternoon, or occasionally fighting over someone's attention. They can become lonely and depressed if isolated. Otherwise, they spend time standing close and grooming each other.

It's obvious that all of the animals at CAS, and any other rescued animals have lives that matter. This is so easy to miss. We rarely see wild animals, who undoubtedly have similar experiences. Most of our interactions are with domesticated animals, and we forget that they have feelings and lives outside of their relationships to us, however we define them.

So, the next time someone tries to tell you that animals don't matter or don't lead full lives, point to a turkey (or that picture if none are readily available). That's why vegan.

Bittersweet Goodbyes

That's right; this blog is being kicked off with a farewell. Sanctuaries are amazing places, in no small part because of their ability to find loving homes for animals, however it's all too common that the most adoptable animals are also the most liked ones. And it can be hard to see them go. Enter Skylar.

Skylar is the perfect example of a sanctuary animal. For anyone who has ever wanted to better understand what goes on in the mind of a goose, or just about any animal for that matter, he's your guide. He was found on a construction site in Queens, caring for a group of 15 hens. He was fierce. You couldn't get within 40 feet, without a barrage of hisses and angry honks. His outstretched wings were a sign that he meant business. He had entrusted himself with the ultimate job- protection. Once these hens found a new home, Skylar was left with no reason for aggression. The difference was dramatic. He, now took refuge behind humans and became a nuzzler.

This left us with a warm fuzzy feeling, but I think that he remained unfulfulfilled. Soon he was given another assignment- three ducks to watch over. And watch he did. Skylar takes his job very seriously and is never more than a few feet from his boys. Every afternoon, when they take their nap, Skylar goes on patrol ensuring that none of the pesky humans get too close.

For anyone who has never had such an encounter, yes geese seem mean. But for me, they're incredibly diligent, never flinching from their duties. This is also a great lesson to all those who somehow believe animals exist for us. They have full lives with things to do and worry about just like you. They have their own purposes.

But now he has a new, incredible home. He will be missed and I sincerely hope that he continues to protect and teach.