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We may tell ourselves that animals used for food and clothing somehow don’t feel pain. We may say they were bred for such purposes, and it’s a “fair” arrangement between us and the animals. While that may help us sleep at night, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is that animals used for food, clothing, experimentation, and other purposes are sentient and have the capacity to experience an immense degree of fear and pain. They are complex individuals with emotions, desires, likes and dislikes, and a strong will to live. They do not want to be hurt or to suffer, and they most certainly do not want to be killed. We know most people are not eating monkeys, like those featured here (although monkeys are frequently consumed as “bushmeat”, but that’s not the point of this post). The reason we used this picture is because it’s powerfully clear that this monkey is agonizing over the conditions (and death) of the other monkey. Her emotions are real. Her agony is real. AND, the point is, her emotions are every bit as real as those of cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, fishes and other sentient animals. When we use animals for food and other products, they experience intense fear and distress the likes of which most of us cannot even conceive, and they fight with futility for their one and only lives, until the end. We may not want to think about this, but the animals we use for food, clothing and other purposes indeed suffered and were killed against their will. Would you impose the suffering and death yourself? By buying and consuming animal products, you are paying for animals to suffer and die on your behalf. And, doing so unnecessarily, as we do not need to consume one single ounce of animal foods to be healthy (and can easily wear other fabrics, etc. as well). Please consider the profound implications of your consumption choices. For these and so many other reasons, please go vegan. |