by Susie
Marti, resident of our New York Shelter. Photo by Derek Goodwin.
In light of this recent Associated Press article, we’ve been flooded with calls and e-mails from people who are rightly concerned for the 1.5 million dairy cows who face slaughter at the hands of an industry that only values them based on their monetary worth. Unfortunately, sending dairy cows to slaughter is not a new practice. In fact, many people do not realize that ALL dairy cows are sent to slaughter once their milk production drops – most between four and six years of age. We have rescued dairy cows at our sanctuaries who have lived well past 20 years of age, meaning that young dairy cows are being sent to slaughter every day. The massive culling of these dairy cows means that fewer replacement heifers will be going into these herds. The cycle continues, but on a smaller scale. To an extent, this article was a wake up call to all those who believe that dairy consumption is somehow less cruel than meat consumption.
We would love nothing more than to save all of these animals, but the sad fact is that we don’t have the capacity at our shelters to take in these animals, and these farmers are not going to allow these cows to go to sanctuary when they can receive money for slaughtering them. We do what we can to inform the public about these atrocities in the hopes that people will make the compassionate choice to go vegan. And, we’ve taken action on this issue by offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those farmers who are dumping dead bull calves by the side of the road (another "cost-cutting" measure the industry is using that happens to be illegal). The posting of this reward has led to widespread public awareness about this problem, as well as the broader problems inherent in the dairy industry, and we are working to make sure more stories like this are published so that the public can understand how unsustainable and callous this industry really is.
If you aren’t already vegan, I would invite you visit our Veg for Life Web site for more information on making this compassionate transition. If you are, then I hope you can find some solace in knowing that you are not participating in this industry, and I hope that you will write a letter to your local newspapers and online communities to inform the public about the inherent cruelties of dairy. This media story presents an opportunity to educate the public and encourage a reduction in the demand for dairy, and I encourage you to seize this opportunity and join me in spreading the word.
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