Deconstructing Pet Food Options
I was at a board meeting for Turtle Nest Village (nothing to do with turtles–helps youth who have “aged out” of foster care). I’m the Vice Chair of the board and, speaking out of turn, I asked everyone what they…
Archive for
Apr 16
Of Horse Carriages and Incremental Abolition
As an abolitionist, my focus isn’t on working to reduce cruelty in industries that use and abuse animals. Instead, my focus is on eliminating the uses of animals. Naturally, I can do that in my personal life by being a…
The Significance of Year of the Dog
Year of the Dog, which was favorably reviewed by The New York Times yesterday, is about “a woman who discovers her true self through a love of animals.” She becomes a vegan and advocate as a result. I’ll be seeing…
Apr 13
Spain Still Torturing Dogs
Last July, I wrote about how Spain Makes US Greyhounds Feel Lucky. The Spanish galgo is a cousin of the greyhounds we have here in the US. They’re used for hunting and racing. The racing situation is hideous and the…
Apr 12
Vote for Animal Person
To my surprise, Animal Person has been nominated for two Blogger’s Choice Awards: one for Best Animal Blog and one for Best Educational Blog. I’m flattered and humbled. Please vote for Animal Person if you have enjoyed and benefited from…
On Stock Sales and CFOs
Another element of the Menu Foods scandal has emerged (I like Pet Connection for updates). The company’s chief financial officer (CFO), Mark Wiens, relieved himself of half of his shares of Menu three weeks prior to the actual recall. Naturally,…
Apr 10
On Enlightened Carnivores and Jumbo Shrimp
When Burger King jumped on the happy meat bandwagon, the welfare world was abuzz and very pleased. Remember that I was a (new) welfarist for years, thinking that we’d eventually stop using animals if we stopped abusing them, little by…
Apr 9
On Leather and Cars
Back in August, I thought I was being confronted by the most difficult problem yet: Which car to buy/lease when you’re an animal person and environmentalist. I needed a rig to carry my two greyhounds who don’t ever sit (one…
Lessons and Opportunities of the Pet Food Recall
As someone with Buddhist tendencies, I see life through a lens of personal responsibility, karmic or otherwise. In other words, everything that happens to us is of our own creation. Our karma has dictated that we have certain lessons to…
Evaluating Charities for Your Philanthropy Plan
Though I’ve written about creating a philanthropy plan and exporting philanthropy, there was at least one issue integral to responsible, effective charitable giving that I touched on but didn’t delve into: evaluating charities. I mentioned Guidestar and Charity Navigator, both…
On the Manufacturing and Packing of Pet Food
As more foods, and even dog biscuits, are added to the recall list, one thing seems clear: the offending brands are manufactured and packed by massive companies that clearly have cost-efficiency as their priority. Whenever you hear that something is…
Apr 5
Rabbits and Easter Don’t Mix
With Easter around the corner, many well-meaning parents will be tempted to acquiesce to their child’s innocent wish to get an “Easter bunny.” The folks at the House Rabbit Society have something to say about that . . . Easter…
Home Cooking for Your Animals
I’ve been getting e-mails about home cooking for dogs and cats, and here’s where I stand: Go for it! You certainly have more control over what goes into the food than if you bought it already prepared (although it’s not…
Apr 3
Watch Japan’s Dolphin Drive
Last November, I wrote about Japan’s annual dolphin massacre. I had seen photos of it, and they were all (naturally) disturbing. But now there’s a video, narrated by vegan actor, Joaquin Phoenix. I know it was only two days ago…
Apr 2
Welfare vs. Rights, SuperVegan Style
Yesterday, for all those not in possession of a calendar, was April 1, a.k.a. April Fool’s Day. This is the one day of the year you are permitted–if not expected–to play a joke on those near and dear to you….
