With just a few days left in “Veganuary,” there’s still time to go vegan—and stay vegan afterward. Going vegan can help the Earth, promote better health, and prevent outbreaks of future diseases. But what’s the most meaningful reason to eat vegan foods, choose vegan clothing and cosmetics, and enjoy ethical entertainment? Animals!
This is the year to end speciesism—the misguided belief that it’s OK to exploit other sentient beings. Those of us who have spent time with other animals know that they experience complex feelings and emotions and have rich relationships and quirky personalities. The more we learn about animals, the more we see who they are: individuals who deserve our respect.
So how can we learn more about animals—and share these amazing facts with our community? The new paperback edition of Ingrid Newkirk’s latest book, Animalkind, is a great place to start! This charming book, co-written with acclaimed writer Gene Stone, shares illuminating studies of the animals around us—including the ones confined and killed for laboratory experiments, food, clothing, and entertainment. We learn that many are family-minded, quirky individuals who experience parental love, romantic infatuation, and strong friendships.
Did you know that pigs sing to their young when nursing? These intelligent animals also love massages and have the ability to play video games. Sheep are highly sensitive animals who care for the members of their flock. They can detect anxiety in another sheep just by looking at his or her face. In fact, sheep can remember about 50 faces for more than two years!
Chickens have complex social structures and extensive communication models. They relish dust baths and flapping their wings—a comfort that’s impossible in crowded barns and cramped cages. Turkeys are not anyone’s dinner. They are highly social animals who love music and seek affection from their guardians.
Cows are deeply emotional animals who form distinct friendships and love their calves deeply. Animalkind shares a powerful story of Clarabelle, a pregnant cow who was rescued and transferred to a sanctuary in Australia and who chose to give birth in secret, beyond the farm’s perimeter, and hide her baby. She had a firm memory of losing her other calves—who were dragged away from her shortly after birth—so she thought that hiding her new calf, Valentine, was the only way to ensure his survival. Thankfully, Clarabelle’s new baby was safe at this sanctuary—and she was able to raise him and shower him with maternal love.
As we learn more about who animals are, it becomes clear that they deserve freedom and comfort—not a life of confinement or a cruel death. It’s easier than ever to choose superior, animal-free products for our personal care, food, clothing, and entertainment. As January ends and the rest of the year rolls on, let’s continue to choose kindness for all animals by staying vegan.
