Doll Stanley of In Defense of Animals speaking at AR2012
This year’s Animal Rights National Conference is fast approaching and we’re gearing up for some exciting speakers and sessions! As always, we would to thank our sponsors for helping us make it all possible. Attendees will have the chance to hear speakers from these generous Silver Sponsors: Alley Cat Allies, In Defense of Animals, International Primate Protection League, and Mercy for Animals.
A UCLA student reacts in horror as she witnesses the cruel practices of standard animal farming.
After a productive month making our way through college campuses in TX, AZ and NV, we finally reached the west coast…bringing with it a much needed streak of sun filled days and huge viewer turnout.
Our first stop was San Diego, where we visited UCSD and SDSU, both of which yielded impressive viewer turn outs thanks in part to local student groups. PEACE at UCSD came out in full force with a vegan bake sale each day resulting in many viewers using their earned dollar to purchase a delicious treat — proving that veganism doesn’t mean sacrificing anything.
Time to hit the streets and encourage folks to eat compassionately! This year, we’re asking dedicated activists to plan outreach events for the week before March 20th. Activists will be gathering pledges from individuals to eat vegan for one day – Meatout. Our goal is to make vegan history, with over 25,000 people across the U.S. taking the pledge. Just imagine what this message will say…
Now is the time to let big corporations, like Big Ag and Big Pharma, know that the American public is ready to take back our health, clean up the environment, and show compassion for the animals with whom we share this planet.
Numerous events have already been registered, from leafleting to tabling, to food sampling and pay-per-view screenings. If you need ideas to help get you started, check out our action page. Once you register your event, we will supply you with colorful handouts and posters baring the brand new Meatout logo, along with vegan product coupons from our proud sponsors: Gardein, So Delicious, Tofurky and WholeSoy & Co.
So what are you waiting for?! Get up, get active, and start planting those seeds of compassion. All it takes is one conversation, one 4-minute video, or one food sample to inspire someone to explore the vegan path. For more information and to register an event, please visit our brand new site Meatout.org or SHARE the vegan pledge with friends and family online. Happy Meatout 2013!
Note 11/8/12: While FARM helped fund this study and is intrigued by the results, we do not believe that this is the final word on graphic vs. non-graphic imagery. We hope this study and this post contribute meaningfully to the dialogue about this topic.
FARM’s Sabina Fund recently helped fund a study, conducted by Chris Monteiro,* to determine whether images of farmed animals that are low, moderate or high in graphic detail (gore produced by violence) was most effective at improving attitudes toward animal rights. The images used, from low graphic detail to high, were: a dead pig on a muddy slaughterhouse floor, a dead pig on a bloody slaughterhouse floor, and a dead pig with their throat slit on a bloody slaughterhouse floor. The images’ effects on attitudes towards animal rights were measured using the Wuensch animal rights scale, a high score on which indicates positive attitudes towards animal rights, and a low score indicates negative attitudes towards animal rights (Wuensch, Jenkins, & Poteat, 2002). There were multiple interactions between personality characteristics and the effects of the different images, and the two most relevant to activists are discussed here.
Temple University, Pennsylvania
After the Animal Rights Conference in Washington DC, the 10 Billion Lives tour made several stops in Virginia Beach and the DC area. One stop outside of the United States Department of Agriculture building near our nation’s capitol attracted media attention that was seen by countless Americans…however, it was not so welcomed by Beef Magazine.
The world’s oldest and largest animal rights gathering is next week and we hope you will be joining us! Every year, we organize and host the Animal Rights National Conference with the intention of bringing together folks from across the country and around the world to get educated, get inspired and get active on behalf of animals. And this year is shaping up to be even more exciting with our new outreach touring vehicle making a guest appearance!
The holiday season is the perfect time to give the gift of compassion. So why not show your friends and family how much you care about them and animals by making a donation in their honor?
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One trip to Thailand, one week of volunteering with rescued elephants, and the life of a corporate attorney was changed forever.
Liz Longacre gets to know a baby elephant in Thailand! Photo by Jaime Careathers
“I realized I wasn’t living the life I should be living and that I wanted to do things that were more in line with this type of experience,” said Liz Longacre of the recently launched Your Time Travels (YTT), a unique travel company she created for everyone who wants to make the world a better place for animals.
Interested in going to Costa Rica, Argentina, St. Martin, or maybe Tanzania? Want to help some sea turtles or an array of other animals while you are there? Or maybe you just want to see the animals in a way that is safe and enjoyable for everyone? Liz’s company is the one for you! YTT arranges trips consisting of a creative combination of exciting or relaxing vacation activities, meaningful volunteer experiences with animal welfare projects, and responsible ways of enjoying and learning about animals in their natural habitats. You will return refreshed, inspired, and you’ll have plenty of amazing stories to share with others. YTT also offers vegan/vegetarian vacation planning, travel itineraries focused on US animal sanctuaries, and help with traveling with your own animal companion.
I (Cindi Saadi) recently spoke with Liz to get the real behind-the-scenes scoop about her new adventure. As her clients return, we hope to share some of their experiences here on the FARM blog. (For more about Liz and Your Time Travels, visit www.yourtimetravels.com ~ see additional contact info at end of this article.)
FARM (Cindi): Tell us more about what inspired you to start Your Time Travels.
LIZ: I went to law school without really knowing what I would want to do with my law degree and I ended up going to work for a corporate law firm. I was working 12-14 hour days and was not happy. I knew I wasn’t being true to myself. In a way, I’m glad I was unfulfilled as it forced me to get to know myself, my passions, and what would really make me happy.
I knew my passion involved animals, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with that. I began packing my limited free time with activities like volunteering at an animal shelter, photography classes, and other activities that spoke to me creatively.
Then I planned our honeymoon trip to Thailand. I have a fascination for elephants and wanted to spend time volunteering at an elephant sanctuary that I had researched. My husband (then fiancé) Jaime, was on board, albeit a little skeptical.
“After that trip I realized…. I love animals, I love volunteering, and I love travel. I asked myself, ‘How can I take those three things and make a life?’”
Elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. Photo by Liz Longacre
FARM: What was it like volunteering at the elephant sanctuary in Thailand?
LIZ: The abuse of elephants in Thailand is severe and it’s part of their culture. Young elephants endure a horrible process (the pajaan) of breaking their spirits so they can be working animals. They are tied up for several days, beaten, deprived of food and water, and basically tortured so they will obey their trainer. Sanduen “Lek” Chailert, the extremely brave local woman who started the Elephant Nature Park wanted to make a difference for these incredible animals. We were only there for a short time, but we learned so much about what animals go through in the name of tourism.
The nice thing about volunteering with animals is that it is something you can do easily and for a short time and still be of help to the organization. We mainly did maintenance work, such as cleaning the enclosures, preparing foods, and feeding the elephants and several other types of animals, but just being there was incredible. We also met a lot of amazing people from all over the world who had also come to volunteer.
FARM: Why is this type of service/company so important to you?
LIZ: I love animals and always have. People, myself included, love to be around animals, which is why they are such a large part of tourism. But they are abused and exploited in so many ways. The tourism industry often does not have the animals’ best interests at heart, it’s all about profit. I wanted people to be more aware of how animals are treated in tourism (not to mention the trauma they experience when being captured from the wild). There are better ways to interact with and enjoy the animals, such as through volunteer work. It’s also far more educational to view animals, i.e. dolphins, whales, or safari animals, in their own natural environments versus in captivity.
You can learn so much after just a few days of volunteering and then share that knowledge with others. You may not be saving the world, but it has a great give it forward effect.
Liz & the raccoons in Costa Rica. Photo by volunteers.
FARM: What goes into setting up these various trips?
LIZ: I do a LOT of research to make sure the organizations people will volunteer with are legitimate. I personally volunteered with each organization I launched with. I also researched all of the sight-seeing and vacation attractions for each trip.
FARM: Tell us more about the types of trips you are offering now.
LIZ: Currently we offer trips in Costa Rica, Argentina, and St. Martin. We also offer Safari trips in Tanzania and I am promoting certain cruises, including a yearly vegan cruise. A Thailand trip will be available soon, as well as resource itinerary guides for visiting U.S. animal sanctuaries. We also arrange hotel stays for people who want to travel with their own pets within the United States. I hope to eventually offer a volunteer trip in India and continually grow from there.
FARM: What are some examples of places where people will volunteer?
LIZ: Currently our volunteer trips include volunteering at wildlife rescue centers, volunteering to protect endangered sea turtles, volunteering at a center that breeds endangered Macaws, and volunteering to help street dogs and cats. I really want to grow our opportunities for helping street dogs and cats as that is a serious problem in many countries. And of course eventually there will be opportunities at elephant sanctuaries!
FARM: What are other examples of ways people can responsibly enjoy the animals?
LIZ: People can see animals in their natural environments through safari trips. We currently offer safari trips in Tanzania, dolphin and whale watching trips in Costa Rica, and also penguin observation in Argentina.
Liz gets to know Benjamin the kinkajoo
FARM: Does your company also arrange for the “vacation” portion of the trip?
LIZ: Yes, my company offers a WHOLE service with structured trips. You are picked up from the airport and transported to the various locations. You are always with a local guide and using local guides also keeps money in the local communities. They can also take you off the beaten path and offer you opportunities to experience local culture. And don’t forget, these are VACATIONS too! Part of our service is to arrange for your entire trip, not just the volunteer time. For example, St. Martin is a beautiful island. There are so many things to do and see. You can have a FUN vacation and still help the animals.
FARM: Where do people stay while volunteering?
LIZ: It depends upon each situation. In remote locations, volunteers will stay on site and pay a modest sum for their lodging. Other places have home-stay arrangements with local residents, adding even more to your entire experience. In other cases, staying at a hotel is the best option.
Feeding the babies! Photo by Liz Longacre
FARM: What other resources does your company offer?
LIZ: We will be providing itinerary guides for people interested in creating a trip that includes spending time at a US animal sanctuary. We will also offer resources for people who want to travel with their own animals, as well as guides for vegans & vegetarians in terms of restaurants, bed and breakfast options, etc.
FARM: Who are your trips best suited for?
LIZ: They are for anyone who is interested in helping the animals or enjoying and learning about them in responsible ways. I believe it is important to educate everyone about the animals.
FARM: What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
LIZ: I love that I get to spread a message that is so important to me. I also really enjoyed scouting out these initial volunteer sites. Traveling alone was very empowering. I felt very brave going to remote locations and felt like I was taking control of my life in ways I never had before.
Getting feedback from people who have made changes as a result of things they have learned from my experiences is also amazing. My first client will return soon and I am anxious to hear about her experiences. The Web site and blog have also been very enjoyable. I love writing and connecting with people.
FARM: What was your path like to becoming a vegan?
LIZ: I have been a vegan for about 10 months and was vegetarian for about 12 years before that. While working at the law firm, I was sort of in a bubble, not exposed to as much information as I should have been. So I did not know a lot about factory farming and didn’t understand why consuming dairy was just as bad as eating meat….until I saw an undercover video and saw the abusive practices that dairy supports. Once I saw one video, I started looking for more. I love animals and wanted to be sure I was not doing anything to cause an animal harm. Once I saw the videos, it was a no-brainer and I became a vegan.
Liz makes yet another adorable friend!
FARM: How does your husband, Jaime, feel about your new business venture?
LIZ: He also has a very strong entrepreneurial spirit and has been extremely supportive. I am very blessed, I could not have done a year of research without his support. I value his advice and consider him to be my “co-counsel” on just about everything. Although he was initially a little skeptical about our Thailand trip, it ended up being one of the best experiences of his life as well, and so he definitely sees the value in this work.
FARM: What’s on tap next for Your Time Travels?
LIZ: My creative juices are really flowing lately and I have lots of ideas for new trips, plus creative projects, such as my own line of vegan travel products.
Come see Benjamin in Costa Rica soon! Photo by Liz Longacre
For more information about Liz and Your Time Travels, visit www.yourtimetravels.com. You can also connect with Liz on her blog, www.yourtimetravels.com/blog. And you can reach her by e-mail at liz@yourtimetravels.com. You can also find YTT on Facebook.
We invite you to come check out FARM’s new program website for FARM Underground! Navigate and discover ways to get active for farmed animals. Join the FARM Underground Liberation team to stay active throughout the year for farmed animals. Farmed animals account for 98% of all land animals abused and murdered among all by people. By working on farmed animal liberation we can create a real vegan revolution- not just a passing fad or phase.
By joining the Liberation Team, you will be able to get free materials for all campaigns and receive action alerts for local tabling at shows, tips on veganizing your cafeteria, and getting people to live vegan for at least one day a week. Making the switch to veganism is imperative. From there, it is essential that we stay on top of new information, incorporate it into projects in class or at our jobs, and get active!
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A Disconnected Society
There’s a Youtube video circulating within the animal rights community, where a “butcher” pranks unsuspecting grocery shoppers into thinking he is turning live baby pigs into sausage right before their eyes. At first the shoppers are enjoying free meat samples, but as soon as the butcher picks up a live baby pig, their tune quickly changes.
Once the piglets come into view, taste testers immediately spit out their meat samples in disgust. Some shoppers shout at the butcher in horror for what he is doing to the pigs and one woman even hits the man. Caught on camera, the shoppers’ priceless facial expressions show their true feelings about killing animals for food. Yet, I suspect most of these shoppers will continue to purchase and consume animal products, despite their honest reactions to the pig butcher.
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