SusieCoston

farm animals are no different in their ability to feel emotions than your dogs and cats. We see them express a whole range of emotions daily- fear, happiness, grief, etc.

I think we are at a tipping point- vegan and vegetarian are now in the vocabulary of most people and there are options that just ten years ago there were not. Celebs are eating these diets- gets the word out even more and social media is really allowing people to see what years ago we could not put out anywhere. We could not do ads because the meat and dairy industry would pull their ads if we did. The world is changing and I have hope that in ten years we will see a huge shift in our diets- towards more plant based. I also think we have to see a shift in farming- which to be sustainable without large factories has to be a huge meat reduction.

getting super attached to an animal who is sick or older and having to let them go

I think it is easy to see them differently because the only exposure most people have to farm animals is when they see them in an environment that is not natural- where they are frightened, where they are overcrowded, not receiving individualize care. We see them here being themselves- happy, sad, funny, etc. When they are not frightened they grieve more outwardly, they play, they are just more comfortable being themselves. That is why sanctuaries are important- so people can see them as they should be. Not everyone can come to a sanctuary so social media thankfully allows us to show them too. I think there is such a misconception about their sentience- especially birds, since they seem to be harder to relate to than mammals. We see birds - especially mothers arriving with babies, who sleep with a wing wrapped around their child to protect them. It is incredible. I find that positive stories and stories of who they are tend to be the best way to engage people- not negativity that puts people on the defensive.

it is terrible