In 2005, Animal Liberation Israel (ALI) was formed to create a society free of animal exploitation and abuse – a society which recognizes the basic rights of animals to live a life without enslavement, suffering and exploitation. FARM is proud to support ALI’s gallant efforts through our Sabina Fund.
Since launching our innovative Pay-Per-View program last June, where we offer passersby $1.00 to watch a 4-minute video depicting the atrocious treatment of farmed animals followed by an in-depth discussion on animal agriculture and how food choices can prevent cruelty and suffering, we have reached over 10,000 individuals and spared hundreds of thousands of animals from harsh living conditions and horrible deaths!
Thinking about attending this year’s AR Conference, but not sure if you can afford it? Think again!
At FARM, we understand that money is not a luxury most of us have; that’s why we strive to ensure our conference is all inclusive and most importantly—affordable. Bringing everyone across the animal rights movement together is vital to this annual gathering and to the mission of the movement itself. That’s why we offer low discounted rates, scholarship programs, work scholar opportunities, free exhibits and much more. The AR Conference is a place for everyone, so come join us!
This is the question many commuters are being presented with thanks to FARM’s current bus advertising campaign. For the month of January, the bus ad could be seen throughout the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and this month, folks in the Dallas, Texas area can view the ad.
This straight-forward question is depicted on a photograph of a cat and a pig and is intended to spark conversation and personal reflection. Most individuals don’t stop to really question why we treat some animals one way while we treat other animals in another way. Think about it: Why as a nation, have we decided that cats are “pets” and pigs are food? Why are dogs considered companion animals and cows are a pair of shoes?
For last year's Meatout, these Florida volunteers held a tabling event and greeted beach goers with vegan food samples.
Have you started planning your Meatout event? Now is the time!
On (or around) March 20, thousands of caring people in all 50 states and two dozen other countries encourage their friends, families, and communities to “kick the meat habit” and explore a wholesome, compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
FARM’s Meatout program is the world’s largest grassroots diet education campaign. Its purpose is to expose the public to the joys and benefits of a plant-based diet, while promoting the availability and selection alternatives to meat and dairy in mainstream grocery stores, restaurants, and catering operations.
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Since 1999, FARM’s Sabina Fund has partnered with nearly 150 grassroots organizations across the world by awarding small grants to support their efforts to promote a plant-based diet and animal rights. The Fund honors the memory of FARM President Alex Hershaft’s mother, Sabina. These small grants have produced amazing efforts by creative, dedicated folks who donate their time, talent, and tenacity and require only minimal seed grants to help get their projects started.
Looking to connect with like-minded people who care about important animal welfare issues? Then, come join us at this year’s Animal Rights National Conference and enjoy the company of thousands of individuals who believe in the inherent self-worth of animals, as well as environmental protection and enhanced public health.
An article by Hal Herzog in Psychology Today quotes a 2005 CBS News survey suggesting that 75% of vegetarians eventually revert to eating meat. Herzog conducted his own survey of 77 “ex-vegetarians,” which found that 40% reverted because of the hassle and social pressure, 35% for health reasons, and 20% just couldn’t resist the taste of meat.
The validity of both surveys is flawed by small sample sizes and their reliance on self-identification of vegetarians. Still our personal experience with the “I used to be a vegetarian” refrain suggests that a substantial number do regress.
Note: FARM President and Founder Alex Hershaft delivered this presentation on the Paths to Liberation panel during the Animal Rights National Conference 2011. Farm Sanctuary’s Bruce Friedrich provided the opposing viewpoint in support of welfare reforms.
Welfare or Abolition
This summer, we launched a highly effective vegan outreach program called Pay-Per-View. We pay people $1 to watch a four-minute clip of graphic undercover factory farming and slaughterhouse footage. In the past few weeks, we have generated more than 4,000 individual views, mostly at street fairs and rock concerts. The reactions are dramatic: viewers cry and vow never to touch meat again.
But now, this magnificent grass roots effort is facing a serious threat. Is it a devilish scheme cooked up by the meat industry’s marketing types? Well, yes. But, perversely, it’s also a scheme hatched, nurtured, or at least, abetted by the very same organizations that produced these highly effective undercover videos.
Yes, I am referring to the recent welfare agreement forged with the egg industry, that most egregious torturer of animals. It contains vague promises of industry’s support for legislation that would increase cage size in 18 years. However, its biggest impact is to lull caring consumers – the very people we’ve courting, into thinking that the atrocities they’ve witnessed at our PPV booth may be going away. That it’s safe to eat meat again. Consumers are hearing that message, however unintended, because they’re desperately searching for a way to justify and continue their flesh-eating habits.
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Editorial by Michael Weber: False Dichotomies
In discussing tactics for promoting animal rights and the vegan lifestyle, we are frequently confronted by seemingly conflicting choices:
In short, we are asked to choose between effectiveness and integrity.
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