Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.
I believe there is hope. I look back and see where I started; watching one short documentary on TV as a small girl, not knowing anyone who would understand.
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Melanie Dretvic/Unsplash
I grew up as a “normal” child. I used to like other animals just like the
people around me. They were cute and fun to play with. During the summer
holidays, which I would spend at a cottage with my grandparents, we would be
given rabbits, chickens, or geese. I remember getting very close to them;
playing all day long with my best friends. When the day came for them to be
killed, I was crying, angry, but then I accepted it, and forgot about it
with time. I ate what was given to me and did not think much about it.
When I was 13 years old, I accidentally saw a TV programme about factory
farming and the slaughter of animals for food. I was horrified. I just could
not believe what I saw. All that screaming, blood, fear, violence and the
whole machinery of treating animals as if they were products. It broke my
heart. I could not understand how we humans could be so cruel. Why had no
one ever told me about it? Was it a taboo? I cried the whole night and said
to my parents I could not eat meat anymore.
I started to research more about factory farming and the use of animals in
general. There was not much literature available back then. I was the only
vegetarian I knew. Then I decided I had to improve the welfare of animals,
so that at least they could experience less suffering when being used by
humans. I went to study at the University of Agriculture in the hope that I
could learn more about how to help. What naivety. Instead they were teaching
us how to make good profits by using animals.
When I was 27, I did an internship at a farm sanctuary in California which
shifted me to another level; from being brainwashed about the necessity of
using animals to a clear realisation that other animals are not ours to use
at all. The direct contact with rescued animals made me go vegan without a
second thought.
My understanding of the exploitation continued to grow. In 2012 my friend
and I started a Czech branch of an international movement that aims for
freedom for all animals. Now we have thousands of supporters and many great
activists who help us do demonstrations and inform the general public.
We are also opening The Farm of Hope; the first farmed animal sanctuary in
the Czech Republic. I believe there is hope. I look back and see where I
started; watching one short documentary on TV as a small girl, not knowing
anyone who would understand. And now I see thousands of devoted activists,
hundreds of vegan restaurants and ethical businesses. People are opening
their minds. There is a big change going on. And I believe one day I will be
telling my grandchildren stories about times when humans used to exploit and
eat animals. And they will listen with eyes wide open in amazement.
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