When I am out walking I love to talk to the farm animals that I come across, love to see them in their fields and enclosures, and try not to think of them being herded into trucks and taken to the slaughterhouse. I know that's the nature of farming, they are reared for meat, but it makes me very sad that they have short lives.
I saw this article. A Devon Farmer was supposed to take 20 of his lambs to the slaughterhouse, he has been doing it for years, but this time was different, he was so upset that he couldn't do it. Instead he drove them 200 miles to an animal sanctuary where they will live out the rest of their lives. It has cost him £9,000 in lost revenue, he has become vegetarian, and is changing his farm over to growing plant based food. Read the story here on the Vegan Food and Living web site.
I googlied the name of the charity, Goodheart Animal Sanctuary, and found their web site. They also have a Facebook page. They offer care for life to rescued farm animals. And they also have a Twitter page.
A short video on their new barn and woodland to house the pigs.
I have added them to the list of charities I support, and sent a donation. It can be done online, but I donate with a cheque in the post. If you don't eat animals, or even if you do, you might like to send something to help. Thank you. ilona
I read a similar story last year. A dairy farmer was closing his dairy business and rather than send his herd to slaughter he sent them to an animal sanctuary to live out their lives in peace. I seem to remember that one of the cows gave birth to twins when she was there. He too was turning to arable - organic I think. My husband was born & bred on a dairy farm - I assume he has seen the cruelty - but we don't talk about that!!
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget standing in the High Street of the small town in Devon where I used to live and seeing a cattle lorry with sheep in, turning into an alley which ran alongside a butchers shop. My young daughter who was with me was in tears when she realised what was about to happen to them and I was pretty close to tears as well.
ReplyDeleteI am not 100% vegetarian, but pretty close to it.
Thats how I feel Joan,Devon.I am not 100% veggy but after reading this today,I have got to do it and I will do it.We tend to eat things over the years and just think how nice it taste!.But over the last couple of years,I am trying so hard to think that my body is being a grave yard to an ill treated animal.Its hard when you have got an hubby of nearly 70,who loves meat and will never change,so I have to cook it most days.But although I rarely eat meat,tomorrow I am stopping for good.i just wish everyone felt the same!xx
DeleteDebi - I feel just like you - but have a husband who eats meat!
DeleteWe were on holiday last year in a small Cornish village using a cashpoint outside the Coop. A man joined the queue behind us - he'd jumped out of a livestock wagon - dressed in white overalls, etc - splattered in red blood. Presumably he worked in an abbatoir. Honestly it was awful.
Debi, I'm not 100% vegetarian because I will eat chicken when I have no other choice, ie out for a meal and there isn't a vegetarian option, otherwise I can't remember the last time I happily ate meat.
DeleteSome animal senses are more heightened thsn ours, so you can imagine the sheer terror and panic they must feel when they approach an abbatoir. They have as much right as us to live.
I read about the Devon farmer on line this morning and good for him!I know that alot of farmers can do it but I couldnt!!I love animals too much!I already give what I can to a place that saves unwanted cats,Heartlink because they saved my daughter when she was 5 years old and Air Ambulance because they saved my grandson.I dont do a monthly donation because I dont do cards,I just have what is in my purse and donate at their charity shops in Leicester.Is there an address where I could send £5 to..to maybe help,just a bit?.Thanks for letting us know about it Ilona.
ReplyDeleteWell, the farmer is in the right place to sell veggie/vegan foods. Totnes has several veggie cafes. I can recommend 'Seeds' towards the top of the High Street. £7.50 per plate and you go back for seconds as many times as you want. All they ask is that you do not leave food on your plate so there is no waste (a very Totnesian ethos and one we would all do well to observe) . Delicious too. One of the nicest meals I've had in ages and I'm not veggie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful man, I could give him a hug, it is saving the animals and the planet,I have made the transition from vegetarian to vegan and my husband is trying as well but it is harder for him having loved his meat for 66 years and the hardest thing is replacing the milk in his tea and coffee,I hae tried to show him that cow's milk is for baby cows, not us so am trying to find an alternative, I have read that oat milk isn't bad in coffee.
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie, the beat milk I have found in tea and coffee is alpro soya milk (the longlife sweetened one. Sadly for me I have recently found out that I am intolerant to soya but I am still having the odd cup of tea with it anyway.
DeleteWe also have a farm sanctuary near us it's quite famous, it houses the famous Esther the wonder Pig. She was a rescue pig that grow to 900 pounds and the owners bought a farm with help from others to keep her nad then rescued other animals. They have thousands of followers and volunteers. Check them out on FB and youtube. I donate to the farm.
ReplyDeleteIlona you are beautiful inside and out xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the story about the farmer it has brightened my day. x
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