Perhaps like many of you, I have a deep regard for animals and a desire to give something back for all the joy they bring me. This led to becoming a volunteer at the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats in Lunenberg, Massachusetts. Volunteering at the shelter is highly rewarding, and has shown me how gentle and loving these - down on their luck - animals can be. These beautiful cats can be seen at http://www.catsontheweb.org
I recently traveled to Malta and Sicily to attend a conference where other caring people from all over the world gathered to discuss the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of a compassionate, plant-based diet.
While I was in Malta, I spent some time with a feral cat colony. I was walking along a beach when a small black cat darted across my path and into some rough bushes that lined the street. I peered in and saw some empty food tins. I walked excitedly down the street to a small general store and bought some cans of wet and - what I thought was - dry cat food. After leaving the store, I realized that the "dry food" was in fact cat litter. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I went back to exchange the litter for food. Never having grasped the exchange rate of Maltese money, I relied on the honesty of shopkeepers, taxi drivers, etc. So, I'm not sure what this cat food ended up costing me, but it was worth every Lira.
Hurrying back to the beach, I crept up to the bushes and opened a can of food. That metallic "ching" must be the international sound for din-din, because three heads popped up out of the bushes. These weren't just any cats, these were Maltese cats; and with regal majesty they watched me scoop the food out onto an old newspaper. I backed away and watched the three eat. I opened the other cans and placed some wet and dry food at each gap in the bushes, then headed off to get them some water. When I returned, there were at least a dozen cats feeding who seemed quite pleased with what I had brought them. I watched them finish and clean their precious faces. They all seemed quite healthy, and it was evident someone other than me was feeding them. Time with these angels was truly a highlight of my trip.
I am one of several Vegans on the Pat Brody Shelter volunteer staff. A Vegan lives a lifestyle of compassion for all creatures, and consumes no animal products. It was a little tuxedo cat named Layla who helped me find this life of compassion. When I met her I was already aware of the health and environmental reasons to be a vegetarian. But more compelling was the idea that if this little flea-ridden stray could be so sweet and full of emotion, then how about a cow, a pig, a chicken, or a turkey? Once I made that connection, things fell into place for me: no longer would I consume or wear animal products.
That was nearly four years ago. Since then I've been to many farm animal shelters and learned that when in peace, pigs like belly rubs, chickens and turkeys will sit in your lap making purr-like sounds, and cows will let you know with a gentle head-butt not to stop patting them just yet. These animals are full of love, and just like our beloved ones at the shelter, deserve to live out their lives in safe tranquility.
I believe this new century will be one of increasing compassion. It's already under way. Pepsi recently dropped support of bullfighting. Due to cruelty charges against Ringling Brothers' Circus, long-time supporter Sears has dropped its sponsorship. Animal testing of products is decreasing as consumers demand cruelty-free alternatives.
Hopefully, as part of this trend, people are starting to understand that the biggest impact an individual can have on animal suffering is through diet. Many times, every day, we can choose to make a difference by reducing or eliminating our intake of animal products. For making small changes in our diets, we can reap great rewards, for our health, the environment, and the animals. For ideas, and delicious recipes, check out http://www.vegweb.com .
I welcome questions and comments, and can be reached by e-mail at john.calabria@bigfoot.com .
Text and images ©2000 by John Calabria.
This is based upon an article that first appeared on the Pat Brody Shelter web site , and is reproduced by kind permission of the author.
John is a regular contributor to the discussions on VEGAN Mailing List.
Insert date: 2009-05-16 Last update: 2009-05-16
