Living Without Meat

This weekend I drove down to the Washington, D.C. area to exhibit for the Humane League at the Humane Society’s Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) conference. It was a fun, though busy and tiring, weekend. I got meet people who I work with through phone and email but had never met in person, and just generally enjoy being in the company of several hundred like-minded people. But most of all, I got to eat! There was such a high prevalence of good food at this all-vegan conference that I easily overate.

On my drive down, I munched in the car on green grapes, a banana, and coffee with soy milk.

After I arrived and got set up, I used my lunch voucher to grab more fresh fruit, a vegan egg salad sandwich, a vegan BLT, and the largest chocolate chocolate chip brownie ever (which I am still working on). They also served a couscous salad and chips.

For dinner, there was a sit-down banquet. It was weird to grab a roll and spread some butter on without even thinking about whether it was vegan or not. I even jumped a little when the server started pouring a creamy dressing on my garden salad. The entree included a rice dish, broccoli rabe, and two faux chicken cutlets from Gardein. Dessert was a fancy-looking red velvet cake (shown here) with a few different sauces and icings. Sadly the cake was a bit dry, but everything else was excellent.

The next morning I was treated to a free drink and pastry at the hotel’s Starbucks since I had a less than desirable room. (I was right next to the elevator and people kept trying to open my door thinking it was the stairs.) I planned on just getting my standard iced soy latte until I saw the sign: “Lemon poppy seed muffin and chocolate chip scone are vegan.” I went for the muffin.

Lunch for Sunday included two more delicious vegan sandwiches - a panini with pesto, tomato and Daiya cheese, and a wrap with faux chicken, lettuce, dried cranberries, and apples. There was also more fruit, chips, chocolate chip cookies, and some pasta salad.

Two days later I am still full!

This dessert picture was snapped by VEGdaily and Ecorazzi blogger Michael Parrish DuDell. Check out both of these blogs for more TAFA posts including an interview with celebrity speaker actress Ginnifer Goodwin.

Traveling with a pet this summer? The Humane Society has always been a good source to get help working out the details, but there are other good resources out there, too. Such as …

DogFriendly.com has recognized the top 10 dog-friendly cities to visit in the U.S. based on the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining, and things to do with your dog.

1. San Francisco - Luxurious hotels. Plenty of pet-friendly patio dining. Many off-leash beaches and areas. Ride the cable car, walk the Golden Gate.

2. Austin - Dine in outdoor cafes. Visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens. See the Congress Street Bats. Many off-leash parks.

3. Boston - Tour Boston harbor by boat. Walk the Freedom Trail and explore many National Historical Sites. Your leashed dog is welcome on the subway.

4. Northern Virginia - Enjoy a yappy hour or dine in dog-friendly Alexandria. Take the Canine Cruise. Visit outdoor monuments and nearby Washington.

5. Portland (OR)- Enjoy off-leash areas and the famous Rose Gardens. Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market. Have a drink at the Lucky Lab.

6. Charleston (SC) - Take a ghost tour or walking tour. See the grounds of the Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantations. Visit the beach.

7. Chicago - Visit Navy Pier. Ride the Canine Cruise. See Buckingham Fountain, take a walk in Oak Park. Many dog-friendly patio restaurants.

8. San Diego - Visit fabulous dog beaches. Shop at dog-friendly Otay Ranch with its dog park. Dine outdoors and hike many parks.

9. New York - Stay in a fine hotel. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Shop at Time Warner Center. See the Balto Statue and Central Park.

10. Ann Arbor (MI) - Visit Nichols Arboretum, rent a dog-friendly canoe. Visit nearby gardens and farms. Visit many local parks.

Honorable mention also goes out to Dallas, Madison/Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis, Salt Lake, and Seattle.

Last night was the opening night of the Ringling Brothers’ Circus in Philadelphia. It was also my first time attending a protest; usually I stick to spreading the word about being veg. For two hours before the event started, I stood outside of one of the parking lots with three other women, big signs, and fliers to hand out. Around the corner, at the main entrance, about a dozen more activists were doing the same, along with one person dressed up in a giant elephant costume.

Nearby, we could peek behind a somewhat see-through temporary plastic wall and see the elephants waiting, unchained momentarily so the public didn’t see the chains. They had just arrived in Philly, after spending 30 hours on a train from Connecticut. One time I peeked in to watch the circus folk cleaning the elephants with a leaf blower. The men wanted the animals to lay down while getting cleaned, and since one elephant didn’t want to he was “encouraged” to do so with a swift whack from a bullhook.

We had a lot of fun - despite the occasional person shouting accusations at us or giving us the finger. At least one family turned around and decided to find something else to do for the evening instead of go in to the circus.

Confused as the why we would not like the circuses? Please take a moment to check out these explanations:

* PETA’s Circuses Web site

* Wilmer “Fez” Valderrama’s video

* The Humane Society’s circus articles

* Any of the hundreds of videos of abuse caught on tape, available through YouTube

Whether people are finally getting it or the economic downturn is claiming another victim, the fur industry is losing money. Annual global fur sales were down about $2 billion from the 2006/2007 retail year to the 2007/2008. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is unsure whether increased public education, availability of more faux options, the economy, or a combination of all three is the cause but they know the effect: an estimated 10 million animals will be spared each year if this trend continues.

“The fur industry thrives on limited public knowledge of the fur trade’s practices and high levels of disposable income—both of which have been eroding recently,” said Pierre Grzybowski, manager of the HSUS Fur-Free Campaign. “Recent high-profile investigations of animal cruelty and consumer deception in the fur trade, coupled with the economic downturn, has replaced animal fur with faux fur and other alternatives for many shoppers.”

Last night I attended the first (and hopefully now monthly) Vegan Drinks Philly. About 70 vegans, vegetarians, and veg-inclined people packed into the small bar room at the local vegan go-to restaurant Horizons. It was a fun, social, easy going, friendly atmosphere. And the most popular question of the evening was how did I get a job in the animal rights field. So in case anyone else is interested, here’s the path that I followed …

Almost two years ago I started writing for this site. I would say that having this on my resume, and being something that potential employers could easily review, was a major benefit. I was particularly complimented on interviews over the professional nature of my writing.

So that’s my first suggestion: take up a hobby that relates to animals or veganism and then present yourself in a professional manner while doing so. Volunteer with local shelters or rescues and always show up when you say that you will. Start a blog, but keep it more informative than personal, more article like than diary. And in everything that you do watch your language. Consider everyone that you interact with a potential employer and therefore offer them respect.

Once I decided that I was ready to move on to a full-time job benefiting animals, I began looking around online. There are some animal-based job searches, such as the Humane Society’s Humane Career Toolbox, but I found the most fruitful search to be going directly to the source. If you are willing to move, head to the Web sites of Farm Sanctuary, PETA, and HSUS. Check out what job openings they have. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a response. HSUS didn’t respond to me at all. PETA considered me, but said “no thanks.” Farm Sanctuary interviewed me in person, but went with someone that had more experience.

So my second big tip is to look for smaller, growing organizations, and be ready to work for pennies! Growing companies will not be able to pay as much but will also be willing to let you learn on the job - as long as you have the passion, professionalism, and at least some skills.

And finally, as with any job search, keep at it. It never hurts to send your resume, even you think you are not quite qualified.

One of my favorite pieces of animal rights campaign paraphernalia is a small white sheet of paper, measuring 8 1/2″ by 8″, that comes include in some Humane Society mailings. The page is almost completely blank, save a short statement printed in bold, red ink in the middle of one side:

“Imagine a full grown chicken being raised for an entire lifetime in a space even smaller than this piece of paper.

My friend, I am not exaggerating when I tell you factory farms overcrowd hens in battery cages too small for them to even spread their wings.”

I love that it is a tangible, non-gory visual that proves a point and makes you think without playing up the shock factor. You don’t always have to show someone a starving, sickly mess of chickens crammed into cages to help them understand what life is like on factory farms.

Sports Illustrated not only wrote an amazing follow up story about the dogs that survived Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring, but it was the cover article, which means feature article length.

Check out the cover here, featuring rescued pup Sweet Jasmine, and the beginning of the article. Click on the cover to read the whole article.

Cover headlines:

“Vick’s Dogs: The Good News Out of The Bad Newz Kennels” by Jim Gorant; “Sweet Jasmine: a pit bull rescued from Michael Vick’s property has found a happy home”

Article heading:

“Since being rescued 20 months ago from the dogfighting ring financed by Michael Vick, all but a few of the abused pit bulls have been recovering in sanctuary, foster care and adoptive homes. Now even the most traumatized of them can have a Happy New Year”

First paragraphs:

“THE DOG approaches the outstretched hand. Her name is Sweet Jasmine, and she is 35 pounds of twitchy curiosity with a coat the color of fried chicken, a pink nose and brown eyes. She had spent a full 20 seconds studying this five-fingered offering before advancing. Now, as she moves forward, her tail points straight down, her butt is hunched toward the ground, her head is bowed, her ears pinned back. She stands at maybe three quarters of her height.

She gets within a foot of the hand and stops. She licks her snout, a sign of nervousness, and looks up at the stranger, seeking assurance. She looks back to the hand, licks her snout again and begins to extend her neck. Her nose is six inches away from the hand, one inch, half an inch. She sniffs once. She sniffs again. At this point almost any other dog in the world would offer up a gentle lick, a sweet hello, an invitation to be scratched or petted. She’s come so far. She’s so close.

But Jasmine pulls away.

PETA WANTED Jasmine dead. Not just Jasmine, and not just PETA. The Humane Society of the U.S., agreeing with PETA, took the position that Michael Vick’s pit bulls, like all dogs saved from fight rings, were beyond rehabilitation and that trying to save them was a misappropriation of time and money. “The cruelty they’ve suffered is such that they can’t lead what anyone who loves dogs would consider a normal life,” says PETA spokesman Dan Shannon. “We feel it’s better that they have their suffering ended once and for all.” If you’re a dog and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals suggests you be put down, you’ve got problems. Jasmine has problems. …”

Read the full story.

Use SI’s online feedback form to send thanks for giving Jasmine her say.

Don’t miss Gene Baur, president and founder of Farm Sanctuary and author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food, and Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the U.S., on CNN’s Headline News show Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell tomorrow evening.

During the first half of the show, Velez-Mitchell discusses shelter-specific issues such as puppy mills, overcrowding, and adoption with Pacelle; Carole Davis, actress, animal advocate, and author of The Diary of Jinky: Dog of a Hollywood Wife; and Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. The second half features Baur on the lives of animals raised for food.

The episode, titled Special Investigation: Animal Issues, originally aired on Christmas Day, but will air again tomorrow, New Year’s Day, at 7 p.m. EST in the U.S. Check your local listings ahead of time to ensure that you don’t miss it. A rough transcript of the show is available now on CNN.com.

The battle of fur as fashion has been going strong lately: Lindsay Lohan gets flour thrown on her and called a “fur hag.” Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow pose with fur, but swear they were tricked and would never wear it. Even more celebs pose for PETA’s anti-fur ads, most recently, Khloe Kardashian. The Humane Society files a lawsuit against companies that falsely label real fur as faux. Kid Rock loves his fur and starts a war with PETA. …

But can’t we debate the topic in a friendlier manner, like maybe a fashion design competition highlighting budding designers that don’t use fur?

Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute and E Magazine have joined forces to do just that!

The contest, fffashion, is a fur-free fashion contest for designers 18 or older, with an April 1, 2009 deadline, and an inexpesive $25 entry fee. Judges include Sophie Uliano, green living guru and author of New York Times bestseller Gorgeously Green; Summer Rayne Oaks, eco-model, activist, spokesperson, and resident expert for Discovery Network’s Planet Green; and Brita Belli, editor of E Magazine. Premier online independent fashion Web site UsTrendy is also supporting the contest.

Learn more about Born Free USA’s stance and believes on their Fight Against Fur campaign page.

This time last year, the Humane Society announced to the public that many top designers and labels were using real animal fur in products labeled as faux, and were selling raccoon dog fur under the false label of raccoon. The time line of their investigation from winter 2006 to December 2007 can be read by clicking here.

And now there’s a new development: the Humane Society is suing, on our, the consumers, behalf, retailers that allegedly knowingly sold or advertised mislabeled fur. The lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C., Superior Court under the Consumer Protection Procedures Act and is specifically going after Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s (which owns Bloomingdale’s), Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and the parent company of Andrew Marc. The lawsuit also alleges that these six retailers are in violation of the federal Fur Products Labeling Act and Federal Trade Commission Act.

Rebecca Judd, senior attorney with the Humane Society noted that these six offenders were all sent letters alerting them that some of their products were found to be incorrectly labeled in regards to fur. All six continue to sell mislabeled fur.

The only one that responded to the Wall Street Journal was Julia Bentley, senior vice president of investor relations and communications at Saks. Bentley assured that the one jacket sold online through Saks.com that tested positive for mislabeling, was promptly removed. In 2007, Charles Jayson, chief executive of Andrew Marc, stated that the accusations were false, and that all Andrew Marc clothing was and is correctly labeled.

The lawsuit was filed Monday, November 24, and the named companies have 20 days to respond.

Read the full story as written by the Associated Press.

Read the Humane Society’s opinion and statements at President Wayne Pacelle’s blog.

After the conclusion of America’s election season, congratulations are in order … to Californian farm animals!

Although still destined to be mass bred, raised, and slaughtered in a factory-style setting, Cali chickens, pigs, and baby cows can thank the voters of their state for starting to make changes.

California ballot proposal, Proposition 2, passed last night with an early lead showing at least 60 percent of voters supporting the measure. From here, the process begins for removal of all battery cages (for chickens), veal crates (for baby cows), and gestation crates (for pregnant pigs).

The passing of Prop 2 means a ban on these three forms of cruel confinement in the state of California. It is a phasing out process: 2015 is the deadline for 100 percent cage- and crate- free farms.

Read more about what this means for the future of California farm animals by clicking on either of the victory pictures shown here. The red banner is Farm Sanctuary’s and will redirect you to their Prop 2 page; the “We did it!” chickens are from the Humane Society and will take you to President Wayne Pacelle’s blog.

Every national animal organization has been talking about the Californian ballot proposition Prop 2 lately. They have all been doing wonderful things to make sure California voters understand the important potential a “yes” vote could have in the lives of millions of farm animals.

But Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle provided a different approach to the subject with a personal testimony - in video format and written out - from a California citizen on why he will be voting “yes” on Prop 2.

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Pacelle’s blog yesterday:

Dave Long knows factory farming just about as well as anyone in California. He lives in Yucaipa in San Bernardino County, and he lives adjacent to one of the largest egg factory farms in the state. This animal factory confines more than 700,000 birds in tiny wire cages where they are basically immobilized for their entire lives.

When the wind blows in the direction of his home, it carries an awful smell and more flies than you can count. I know it because I was there, and experienced it. But I could leave after I was done talking to Dave. He lives there, and he cannot leave, unless he wants to abandon the community he loves and the home he owns.

Wayne Pacelle’s blog, A Humane Nation is a well-written, thought-provoking look at current animal issues in politics, the farming and agricultural world, and life in general.

This excerpt was taken from his October 29 entry titled “Life Beside a Factory Farm,” where you can find the video of Dave Long’s personal testimony.

With less than a week to go until election day, I am still trying to find someone to vote for who supports life regardless of species or age. At this point, I’d even be content with a happy medium. Neither of the two major party candidates - John McCain and Barack Obama - are getting my vote, so I have to find someone else. I looked at four candidates from other parties, but still came up without a solution.

Today’s candidates are not likely to be found on your official ballot; however, as names that were once in the running for an official Republican or Democrat bid, they all have write-in potential. Here are 3 more presidential candidates (one of whom I’ve decided to vote for!) and their standing on the two issues of most concern to me: animals and the environment (1), and abortion (2).

* Mitt Romney (Rep.): (officially he has withdrawn from the race, but I’m sure he wouldn’t say “no thanks” if elected)
1. He wants to toughen emissions standards and tests for big oil companies, and has said that he will always choose public health interests first. He supports opening wildlife refuges for drilling.
2. Was pro-choice until December 2007 when he declared that he was now pro-life.

* Ron Paul:
1. Voted against every positive animal rights bill possible, on issues including slaughter of horses, dog fighting, farm animals, and downers.
2. “Abortion is murder.”

* Hillary Clinton:
1. Humane Society ranked her as 100 percent pro-animal rights, stating that she not only voted in support of animals, but was also a leader who initiated animal support. Likewise, the League of Conservative Voters ranked her as 89 percent pro-environment.
2. “Make abortion rare by supporting adoption and foster care.” Clinton believes that the key to reducing abortion, which is “a sad, tragic choice,” is to educate teens, provide birth control, and make adoption more affordable and easier.

Well, that settles it for me. I am now a Hillary Clinton supporter even if I am perhaps a little late to the game. Don’t forget: on November 4 you have more than two choices!

Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle will be a guest today, October 14, on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He will talk more about California’s Proposition 2, and will appear alongside front men from the agribusiness industry. Wayne will be going head-to-head with his fellow guests, arguing the issues surrounding the statue.

The reach of the Humane Society’s Proposition 2 campaign is continually impressing me, as is talk show hosts’ increasing support for animal causes. Wayne Pacelle had a monumental appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show three weeks ago, which was followed by an appearance by the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) president, and then an announcement that Ellen is now leading a vegan life.

The “Yes! on Prop 2″ campaign has set out to educate people, especially California voters, about a landmark animal-rights proposition that will be on the California state ballot this November. By voting in support of Proposition 2, voters will be supporting the creation of stricter regulations for factory farms. If passed, the proposition, which is also called Standards for Confining Farm Animals, would add a chapter to California’s Health and Safety Code to “prohibit the confinement of certain farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to tum around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.” In essence: no more battery cages for chickens, veal crates for newborn calves, or gestation crates for pregnant pigs.

In addition the the HSUS, many other organizations, veterinarians, and media have added their support to Prop 2. These include, but are in no way limited to: the New York Times; Farm Sanctuary; Sierra Club; Consumer Federation of America; California Democratic Party; California Council of Churches; Center for Food Safety; Union of Concerned Scientists; and over 700 vets, 150 vet students, 140 animal-based organizations, 100 farmers, and 90 clinics and hospitals in California. To see the full list, including celebrities, religious groups, politicians, nonprofits, and newspapers, click here.

First, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle was on The Ellen Degeneres Show on Friday, and now the president of the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), Neal Barnard, M.D., will be a guest on today’s show!

Monday, September 29, Neal Barnard will be speaking about why people get hooked on unhealthy food and how they can unhook themselves. Dr. Bernard authored the book Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings - and Seven Steps to End Them Naturally, which discusses how our biochemistry may be more to blame that our lack of willpower.

Barnard will specifically outline his three-week kick start program to eliminate unhealthy foods and habits.

These two animal-rights guests come after Ellen’s vegan wedding reception, and two vegan guests back-to-back in May.

Side note: Wayne Pacelle’s interview has not yet made it onto YouTube or another form of online viewing. I’ll let you know when and if either of the above mentioned guest appearances become available online.