How can you help

Being vegan is about making the conscience choice to not harm animals.  

Look for cruelty free logos: A lot of brands such as Colgate, Swiffer, Lysol, Irish Spring and Green Works all test their products on animals. Before buying a product, look for the cruelty free logos below. Still not sure if your favorite product is vegan? Download the free “Cruelty-Cutter” app, scan a barcode and the app will instantly let you know if the brand tests on animals! 

 

Adopt, don’t shop: Shelters are always overflowing with loving animals searching for a forever home and are often euthanized due to capacity and financial restraints. Many of the puppies sold in pet stores or online originate from puppy mills (commercial dog-breeding facilities) that focus on increasing profits with little regard for the health and welfare of the animals. For this reason, animals purchased from breeders tend to have more health problems down the road resulting in higher vet bills. Plus, adopted pets are usually already spayed or neutered meaning less up front costs for you!  

Educate others: We find most individuals are curious and open to learning about veganism. Send them links to your favorite documentaries or introduce to them to your favorite vegan items. Everyone says they love animals so help them align their values to their actions! Being a former meat eater and vegetarian, we are thankful that someone helped us open our eyes to the cruelty!  

Ask for vegan options: Businesses listen to your feedback. Whether you’re going to a new restaurant for lunch, buying a pair of shoes online or attending a festival, always ask if they offer a vegan alternative. Brands cater their products to demand so the higher the demand, the higher the odds of them updating their products. 

Help clean up the City: A lot of small animals such as raccoons, squirrels and turtles get stuck in trash. By picking up the trash, you are indirectly protecting animals and protecting nature.

Sign petitions: Petitions are a great, free way to encourage change. PETA has developed an app (PETA: Savings Animals Made Easy) that makes it quick and convenient to sign petitions.

Don’t visit zoos or aquariums: As humans and sentient beings, we don't enjoy being locked up and unable to move freely. Not only does it affect our mental health but also our physical health. The same applies to animals and aquatic creatures. Most animals are meant to live in the wild and make friends with other living beings. 

Donate: Making a recurring donation, no matter the amount, goes a long way to helping animals. Prior to choosing a charity, make sure to do your research as some are better than others and unfortunately, there are some charities that are more concerned with profits than they are with helping.

Stop wearing animal products: A lot of everyday items are made by exploiting animals and you may be purchasing them without even knowing. If you receive the below item as a gift, take the time to inform the gifter as to why you choose not to wear them. The below items are all great examples of products to avoid:  

  • Down pillows and comforters, and feathers: Down is the undercoating of geese, ducks, or swans and is normally plucked directly from the live animal which causes them harm and distress. These animals spend their entire lives in confined, dirty cages and are killed when no longer profitable. 
  • Leather: Leather comes from animal skins and hides. Some people believe leather is ok to purchase as it is a by-product of the meat and dairy industry and therefore does not cause additional harm. Even if this is the case, by purchasing the by-product, you are directly funding and promoting the exploitation of animals. You are in fact telling the animal farmer that you agree with exploiting animals. 
  • Wool and cashmere: To remain profitable, wool industries ask their workers to shave the sheep as fast as possible with little regard to the animal’s welfare. Sheep often suffer from injuries ranging from nicks to complete amputation of their udders, ears, penises, and other body parts. Also, when the sheep is no longer producing enough wool, they are sent to slaughter. 
  • Mink fur and lashes: Minks are confined to small, depressing, cramped wire cages in highly unsanitary conditions, are anally electrocuted and most of the time, skinned alive. 
  • Fur: Similar to leather and wool, animals used for their furs are often kept in small cages and ultimately killed for their skins. Some fur vendors will state that their animals were trapped in the wild and lived happy lives prior to being caught. Although this is better than being caged their whole life, animals that are trapped in the wild will often try to chew off a limb to set themselves free making their last hours unbelievably painful. Those who are able to free themselves, often die anyways.