blog-maryBlog - Joyful Curmudgeon - Blog
A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 


Ethical Dilemma - 5 December 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

Here's the ethical dilemma that I wonder about: Saving animals only to feed them other animals.

Although dogs adapt easily to eating vegan and cats can also adapt, with supplements; and there are vegan dog and cat foods and supplements sold, most people are unaware of these products, don't care, or are discouraged by misinformation concerning the nutritional needs of their companion animals.

Years ago we had a rescued dog, Heidi, who appeared to be a shepherd/ collie mix. Heidi thrived on a vegan diet. After a routine check-up, I asked the vet's opinion on her health. So as not to influence his opinion, I had not told the vet that Heidi was vegan. After he told me that Heidi was in very good health, I let him know that she was vegan - ate no animal products.

I read about the dairy cattle - more than 25,000 - who died in the California heat wave. Since there were more cattle carcasses than could be rendered by pet food companies, farmers were allowed to dump the excess carcasses in landfills. Hidden away in closed buildings, even more poultry died: at least 700,000 chickens and 160,000 turkeys.

II can't help but think of all the abused, innocent animals slaughtered round the clock, with every bit that isn't consumed by humans used to feed other animals. Someone in the animal exploitation industry has said something to this effect: "Every part of the slaughtered animal is used but the squeal."

I'm glad that Frank and I made a decision to stop contributing to this hideous, unnecessary cruelty twenty years ago. How much better the world would be if everyone simply tried to cause - directly or indirectly - as little suffering as possible in their everyday lives.

Go on to: Creation/Evolution - 6 December 2006
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