How can a carnivore reconcile her love for animals and her love for epicurean delights? Why do I buy only cruelty-free products and then feel comfortable having London Broil for dinner? These are the kinds of questions I hope to explore at The Write Reason. I want to teach people about making decisions based on personal preferences, but with a conscience. There are many issues that ask us to make such decisions daily. We can make choices about open/free range, cruelty-free methods in our food supply; the unnecessary use of hormones and antibiotics in animals destined for the table; and reform of slaughterhouses to make them cleaner, less horrifying places for animals and humans. These issues raise numerous questions:
• How does media coverage affect animal/health decisions?
• What roles do organizations like PETA play in affecting change?
• What are the relationships between animal welfare and human health and well-being?
• What impacts do economics and international commerce have on animal/human health and welfare?
These questions call for not only research, but also activism and education. For instance, most people in the United States would never dream of eating horse meat. However, U.S. horses are slaughtered by the thousands, sent to Europe and Asia, and often passed off as beef. The Write Reason is aimed at those who might not be aware of these issues, at those who want to address animal welfare, and those who simply want to live a healthier life.
There are a number of key terms that come up in thinking about these issues: animal cruelty, slaughter, horses, cosmetics, byproducts, diseases, the meat-packing industry, hormones and antibiotics, international consumerism.
Web sites that will prove helpful in exploring these issues include:
PETA www.peta.org
PETA is an international organization focused on animal rights and the elimination of cruelty toward animals. They also promote strictly vegetarian and vegan diets.
ANIMALRIGHTSMEDIA www.animalrightsmedia.com
This site is a clearinghouse of many different sites detailing pros and cons relating to lab animal research, cosmetics and animal testing, hunting, and endangered species.
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/
This site is focused on preserving our nation’s wild furred animals and has become globally involved in the task of educating the public about the need to reform wildlife trade.
THE FINAL NAIL www.finalnail.com
I’ve added this site because it gives lists of slaughterhouses, fur farms, and kennels who supply animal testing laboratories. This site is helpful in finding links for further research.
ANIMALCONCERNS.ORG www.animalconcerns.org
This is another site leading to information, articles, and sources relating to the well-being of animals.
Veganoutreach.org www.veganoutreach.org
A very informative site providing undercover research into slaughterhouses, factory farming, and behind-the-scenes cruelty in our food supply. This site promotes a strict vegetarian diet.
FactoryFarming.Com www.factoryfarming.com
This is one of the most informative sites where links take you directly to articles and research on the perils of factory farming.
www.dawnwatch.com
This site was created by Karen Dawn, a reporter, working for animal liberation.
September 25, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Hi Cindy – I am very interested in this topic…I am basically a vegetarian who eats seafood and the occassional bird, but I have had “issues” with eating larger animals since I was a child. In some countries, the cow is sacred, and the old testament tells us not to eat animals with hooves (I’m not a super religious person, but I wonder about these things.) Pigs are smarter than dogs, yet we gasp at the cultures that think nothing of having Rover for dinner…hmmm…
September 26, 2007 at 1:01 am
Hi Marcie,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I have found several sites that go into the issue of clean animals-those with cloven hooves–
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ine_none7.htm
however, the more I research this issue, I see the biggest change needs to be in made in factory farming. I have added several sites for information and one that is very hard to view due to the content. This video is terribly sad.
http://www.chooseveg.com/animal-cruelty.asp?gclid=CLmi4Mjr344CFQGnPAodHBwHNw
Farm to Fridge ChooseVeg.Com
I can’t imagine eating a dog, cat, or horse. But in South Korea there is a huge trade in these animals for consumption and the way they are killed is brutal. I guess my biggest concern is the treatment of animals destined for food.
I do remember a trip I took to China years ago, and seeing cats, snakes and various other animals skinned and sold for consumption. It made me extremely uneasy. I do believe there are some things we should not ingest and I also believe that in the end we pay for what we put into our bodies.
Also here is an excerpt from an article on horses as food and the way people are coming together to stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Most of what I have researched tells me that horses are not raised for food but there are auctions where horses are sold and those in the meat industry find these animals and buy them to send to slaughter. (See Below)
http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_257214013.html
Horses end up in the kill pen and ready for slaughter for various reasons, Martin said. Some are Thoroughbreds that are too slow to race, others are the byproducts of animal testing. __“It’s not all sick, crippled horses,” Martin said. “There are some really good horses in there.” Horses end up in the kill pen and ready for slaughter for various reasons, Martin said. Some are Thoroughbreds that are too slow to race, others are the byproducts of animal testing. __“It’s not all sick, crippled horses,” Martin said. “There are some really good horses in there.”
This is a tough issue to face, but the more people know the smarter their choices. Thanks again for visiting my site.
Cindy