The Farm Sanctuary is Saving Lives!
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight”.
- Albert Schweitzer
Several months ago, in my blog post “Start Your Own Animal Shelter“, I sent out a request for everyone to consider how they may help…do their share for…all animals whose safety and well being we are responsible for…who have been entrusted to us by Spirit.
I sent out a call to action for volunteers at shelters, pet foster families, monetary donations, the sending of love and saying of prayers.
Whatever you can do…please…do.
The response was not surprising so many people responded with their hearts wide open.
In those responses, it became clear to me that, when reflecting on how they may be of service to the animal kingdom, most people were thinking in terms of the average pet; dogs, cats, birds, horses…maybe a pot bellied pig or two…zoo animals…these are the animals that immediately came to mind. In fact until last year I thought that way too. By and large, it is the domestic house pet the public concentrates on.
The public does respond to the horrors of animal testing, the saving of animals in danger of extinction, but those matters…though prayers and tremendous loving energy are offered and sent to the Universe…those matters are acted upon by comparatively small numbers of people.
Great work is being done.
But there is an enormous sector of the animal population, which is ignored by the public. At least as it pertains to the safety and well being of. Not because people don’t care what’s transpiring, but because they simply are not aware of the situation.
Whether it is because we just aren’t aware or whether it be because we just don’t want to know, denial about what happens to animals in our care is high even among those of us who proclaim to be animal lovers.
I know because I was one on both counts.
The sad irony is, it is that very same sector of the animal kingdom with which we, most, interact and depend on.
Abhorrent as it is…as truly painful as awareness of it is…I committed to doing my share to help all animals and, so, as I come out of my own denial and ignorance, I hope I might share some of what I have learned with you.
The farm animal industry is an industry, too long, left to make its own rules and standards; even when other, official…legal…rules are in place.
Those who know me, know I am a committed vegetarian. I’m convinced it is the reason I am able to connect with animals in Spirit and I have never felt healthier but I didn’t become vegetarian for health reasons nor to increase my intuitive abilities and mediumship skills although those were the benefits.
That all said I do understand not all share my commitment and I honor their choice nor is this blog meant to convince anyone they should do what I do.
And I would like to believe, though a person uses animals as a food source, they would never wish for any emotional, mental or physical pain to be inflicted. I, also, know there are alternative methods of breeding, raising and butchering these animals so they may live with dignity and high quality of life before being forced to sacrifice their existence.
Specifically, cows, pigs, chickens, fish and turkeys are the farm animals I speak of. Numerically speaking, they are they are, by far, the largest sector of abused animals on our planet
To that end, I want to bring awareness to the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization;
It is imperative I note;
” Farm Sanctuary has never and will never support so-called “humane” meat. We maintain that the words “humane” and “slaughter” are mutually exclusive.”
However, please know this post is not about an effort to convince you to take a vegetarian or vegan life path. It is intended to either remind or inform you of the sweet, gentle millions who are enduring extreme suffering even as you read this post with the hopes that you might be more aware when making your choices.
Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 and has grown to prominence beginning with volunteers selling veggie hotdogs out of the back of a VW van to fund its efforts. Today, twenty three years later, Farm Sanctuary continues its good works by promoting “compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy efforts”.
One of the more progressive actions the organization has taken, is the upping of an interactive virtual experience wherein the website visitor can investigate and explore an impressively detailed simulation of the deplorable world of factory farms and the inspirational and loving world of farm animal sanctuaries.
As the world focuses more and more to “online living, learning and communicating”, the virtual experience can reach out to children and adults, alike, who are “city raised” and/or have no concept of how the meat they consume comes to be on their table.
The many lives they’ve saved, the amount of suffering they’ve brought an end to, the education, the lobbying…the list goes on and on…it all is honorable…but the virtual experience they’ve created may…in the long run…be a significant portion of their forward momentum.
Think about it. How many will visit the site, be affected by what they see and do something about what the situation? And they’ll tell how many people?
And…well…one thing for sure you will never see food the same way once you enter into the world of Farm Sanctuary.
Be conscious of how the meat gets on your plate and the conditions the animals are kept in until they are “spent”.
Read and educate yourself about this. I highly recommend 2 books.
Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
and
The Face On Your Plate by Jeffrey Moussaief Masson
Be informed and remember Spirit is everywhere, and in every living sentient being and we are therefore, responsible.
** WARNING ** This video contains very graphic and horrible cruelty to chickens raised for KFC. Please be forewarned that this video is not for everyone. It has only been included so that you have some understanding of what often takes place in factory farming.
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Dear Colette,
Thank you so much for making people aware of what is going on in the ‘farming industry’.
Just like you, I am a devoted Vegetarian , since over 26 years, – and I feel it is imperative for people to understand what suffering is involved with the meat they consume, but do not want to push my personal believes about the vegetarian life-style onto people.
My husband and I have close to 200 rescued animals, which include goats, horses, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, ferrets, chinchillas, rats, and all types of birds. We have been going through difficult times, but are always determined to take care of our animals. We do not get any assistants for them, other than some occasional dog food from the Humane Society.
Most of them have gone through trauma, and neglect…I like to call them our ’special needs’ children.
One of the most important things with any pet (farm animals included), is not to give up on it, when a behavior problem arises.
I have been working with animals with behavioral problems for a long time now, and try to help people with alternative options and approaches in taking care of the issue(s), so they don’t just let the pet go….
Sadly, the term “I HAVE TO GET RID OFF” is found all over newspapers, and Internet web-sites.
Many people don’t respect the fact, that ‘those pets’ have been there for them for all this time. When the ‘animal’ needs us the most, we choose to let it go, instead of giving back all that love they have shared with us. You would not believe, how many older pets, and farm animals are euthanized, thrown out, and simply pushed onto someone else, including kill-shelters. They are the first ones to die in any kill-shelter, due to their age, and possible behavioral problem. Also, farm animals (i.e.:horses, goats, etc.)are cruelly euthanized, if they don’t serve a purpose any longer, are ‘no good’ for meat.
This is a sad situation, which is all around us. Like I always say:
“We are their voice!!!!” Albert Schweitzer put it right so many times,- his spoken words are very close to my heart.
I wish people would understand, that especially ‘behavioral problems’ with their pet(s) are often linked to what is going on in the pet owners personal life. Animals will communicate to us (through acting in ‘not appropriate ways’) the emotional frequencies which they pick up from their owners. I.e.: Is the ‘owner’ stressed, or ill?? The pet relates to those individual situations. Animals are extremely intuitive with the people they love and their close environment. Their communication to us is different, from what we often would expect. Since most people don’t stop and listen, the whole situation gets mis-interpreted…and before you know it, the ‘animal has to go’. Though, it never meant to get anyone upset or harm anyone…including itself. The more the pet is ‘punished’ and ‘pushed around’ the more emotionally confused it will get…leaving 2nd, 3rd, and if lucky 4th owners with a situation at hand, that may be very difficult to handle. The pet doesn’t understand what is happening to it, still on the ‘look out’ of the beloved ‘first owner’ which gave up on it, and in continuing search of security……A Safe Place!!
Colette, I like to thank you for your loving approach on helping ‘all animals’ and sharing your thoughts and believes with us.
Thank you, love and light, JD
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