Start an Animal SanctuaryHow to Help Animals

Last night in our local animal rights meeting we watched Peaceable Kingdom (Tribe of Heart 2004) and I felt a range of emotions so strong that today I can’t help but take action. Through the stories of farmers who have experienced an awakening of consciousness, the film portrays the way farmed animals are treated and shows what organizations like Farm Sanctuary are doing to try and help these animals. I urge everyone to watch this film. For those who are not yet vegetarian or vegan it will show you the truth about meat and animal products and for those people (like me) who are already vegan it will motivate you beyond belief, to take more, immediate action to bring about change.

One of the most powerful elements of this film was the way that the blissful footage of the animals at Farm Sanctuary sharply contrasted with the horrific treatment of animals at the factory farms, stock yards and slaughter houses. I went from feeling joyful at the compassion shown by the people at the sanctuary, to feeling pure hatred bubbling from within me as I saw a newborn calf being dragged by the leg and beaten.

Much of the footage was obtained by Farm Sanctuary co-founders Gene Baur and  Lorri Houston (who has since founded Animal Acres) when they visited stock yards to try and rescue any animals they could and document the abuse of others. Images of dead, unwanted animals piled up in a heap were disturbing, but when one of animals moved their leg, or panted for breath and I realised these animals were not yet dead, but being treated like garbage, it felt like a knife stabbed into my heart.

In contrast there are many incredibly hopeful moments in the film. One ex-farmer spoke of his sadness when animals on his farm were killed. As a child he was told by his mother, that it was “alright to feel bad about killing animals…but don’t let it show”. Many years later when a farm sanctuary cow named Snickers saw the man, he ran over to him and thumped his huge head against the man’s chest – right where his heart was. After that the man said it felt like a light switch had been turned on in his heart and now he could extend the compassion that he had for dogs and people to farmed animals.

One piece of  footage I cannot stop thinking about today was of a newborn calf being separated from his mother and dragged away by the leg. The mother looked distraught and bellowed forlornly…  I don’t know how anyone could drink a drop of milk after watching that.

After viewing such horrific footage it was a relief to return to Farm Sanctuary, where the founders would introduce us to rescued animals and tell the stories of various rescues. For me, personally, this was incredibly motivating, as David and I are going to do something similar here in Australia. It also showed how even people who have grown up to view animals as commodities can understand the emotions of these sensitive animals through meeting them in an environment like Farm Sanctuary.

The end of the film was perhaps the most powerful of all. Horrific images of animal abuse was shown whilst Moby’s haunting song “why does my heart feel so bad?” was played. Then we were shown hopeful footage of battery chickens who had been rescued, being taken into Farm Sanctuary, all in time with the music. Every one of us in the meeting was shaking at the end of the film. We were speechless.

Last night I had such a terrible head ache after the roller coaster ride of emotions. However, today I am feeling less hatred and more motivated. I have the Moby song they played at the end in my head…”Why does my heart feel so bad?” and I think I should try to hang on to the feeling of pure outrage, because it will help me take more action. It is strange how our brains try to push these things to the back of our minds.

After watching the animals happy at Farm Sanctuary it is clear that even one life is worth saving. They are all individuals after all and I think sometimes people forget that.

As Lorri Houston says in the film, we must turn our sorrow into action and then we can bring about change.

Amazon are not currently stocking this DVD and neither are Tribe of Heart, so it may be best to check eBay for a copy. You can also get a second hand copy from Amazon by clicking here, but unsurprisingly the sellers are charging rather a lot. If you find somewhere that sells this DVD please let us know.

Tribe of Heart currently have a new film out on the film festival circuit called Peaceable Kingdom: A Journey Home, which from the trailer looks like it will be fabulous and very moving. It will be available on DVD soon.

Watch the trailer for Peaceable Kingdom: A Journey Home by clicking here.

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Do you ever feel like a total freak? I think most vegans have at one time or another felt that way. Whether it is in the company of family who still believe you are going through a phase or friends who tease you about being a plant killer, going vegan can make you feel like the only compassionate person in a world full of ignorance.

That is why reading Vegan Freak by Bob and Jenna Torres was refreshing. Reading it, I felt like I was in good company and not the only one who has to deal with meat-pushing family and friends. In fact there were many moments in the book when I found myself thinking, “Yes! I have felt that way!” The book is written in a conversational style and despite dealing with serious subject matter the authors have the talent of injecting a healthy dose of humor into their writing. Some parts of the book had me laughing out loud.

Vegan Freak appealed to me because it is aimed at people who are vegan, or who want to become vegan for ethical reasons. Sometimes it feels like all the books on veganism are about health, weight loss and spiritual benefits. I’m not knocking those things, but it was nice to read a book by people who are vegan for the same reasons I am – for the animals.

An important point that was drummed home throughout Vegan Freak was that “meek vegans suffer”. As a natural people pleaser I sometimes find it hard to tell people I am vegan. It’s not that I’m ashamed (quite the contrary), but I hate putting them out or making them feel bad. Vegan Freak showed me that I can be polite and still let people know about my dietary requirements. In ‘Chapter 2 – In Which We Get All AR On You’  the authors discuss the basics of why people become vegan and I surprised myself by learning something new about gross hidden animal ingredients that I wasn’t aware of before. I guess I will be checking ingredients even more carefully in the future.

If you have a sense of humor and you aren’t afraid of laughing at yourself you will love this book, but if you take yourself too seriously perhaps it won’t be for you. I noticed amongst the positive reviews on Amazon a few negative ones that didn’t seem to get the joke. It is important to remember that one book cannot cover everything on veganism and animal rights. Vegan Freak is not an in depth analysis of animal rights.  However, it does have a wonderful resource section, which has given me loads of new ideas for my book wish list.

So for vegans present and future who want to gain some skills for living in a non-vegan world I recommend you add this book to your vegan and animal rights collection and embrace your inner Vegan Freak.

Do you want to buy Vegan Freak? Click here.

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I really love Gene Baur’s book Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food. It was so wonderful to read about these people who started by selling veggie dogs at Grateful Dead concerts to running the largest farm animal sanctuary. There are also some wonderful animal stories and I felt like I really got to know some of Farm Sanctuary’s animal residents.

The book urges readers to extend the reach of human compassion and consume a kinder plate, making a better life for animals and for themselves. “Farm Sanctuary” is certain to touch readers through its unique approach and inspiring personal stories of hope.

Click here to check out this wonderful book.

I was lucky enough to win a copy of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows by Melanie Joy Ph.D. from the latest issue of Vegan Voice. I was thrilled, since this was on my long list of books to buy.

The author provides a fresh approach to an animal rights book as she looks into the psychology of ‘carnism’ -  a lifestyle that enables us to love some animals and eat others. In this quote from the book, she explains why it is necessary to give meat eating a label:

“We don’t see meat eating as we do vegetarianism – as a choice, based on a set of assumptions about animals, our world and ourselves. Rather we see it as a given, the “natural” thing to do. We eat animals without thinking about what we are doing and why because the belief system that underlies this behavior is invisible. This invisible belief system is what I call carnism.”

I enjoyed the academic angle, which really delves into the psychology of why people can love some animals and support the abuse and slaughter of others. I think this book would appeal to veggies, meat eaters and those on the fence, because the author does not judge, blame or shame the individual.  However there is no way you will look at your meat dinner the same after reading this book. You may even feel quite angry at the way that those in charge take advantage of their powerful position and manipulate society for more profit.

In the chapter, ‘The Way Things Really Are” Joy describes the horrific realities of slaughter and factory farms. It was hard to read it, but by including this in the book Joy gives her readers the chance to open their minds and take ownership of their choices.

Despite the serious nature of carnism Joy keeps the reader interested throughout and once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down.  I found myself taking notes throughout the book, just so I could remember smart things to say to my carnist friends and family. The ideas were so logical and compelling I am not sure how anyone could argue with them.

I truly believe that this book could bring about change. Now has anyone got any tips on how I can get my carnist Mum to read it?

If you would like to buy this book click here

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Where the Blind Horse Sings: Love and Healing at an Animal Sanctuary was such a joy to read that even when I finished it, I wanted to flick right back to the beginning and start reading all over again.

Where the Blind Horse Sings is by Kathy Stevens the founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a farm sanctuary in Saugerties, New York. Kathy is a lady after my own heart, taking time every day to kiss all the animals and even sing to them. This is the book I chose to buy with the rest of my $30 Amazon book voucher and I am so glad I made that choice.

Kathy tells the inspiring story of how she bought a very run down farm in Catskill and with a lot of cleaning up and help from friends, she turned it into a haven for farmed animals who had previously been subject to all kinds of abuse.

We get to meet many of these animal characters and hear of their transformations. When they arrive at Catskill Animal Sanctuary they are often very timid and scared of people after years of abuse. In only a few days (sometimes just hours) the animals, who come to realize they are safe and surrounded by love for the rest of their lives, begin to take on a different attitude to life and that is when their true personalities shine through.

There is Paulie, the fighting rooster, who seemed aggressive at first, but with a little understanding grew to love humans and even enjoyed eating lunch with the sanctuary staff. There is Buddy, a completely blind horse, who came out of his shell at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. His previous owners said Buddy no longer wanted to live, but with some love he proved to be an adventurous and trusting boy. Along with the animals’ stories there are beautiful colour photos in the middle of the book, which show the life of luxury these animals now enjoy.

Whether you are interested in starting an animal sanctuary, or just want to read a really great book you should check this out. It can’t fail to move you and provides an enjoyable education on the personalities of farmed animals.

Click here to buy it on Amazon

Click here to check out Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s website.

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