why World Day for Farmed Animals is so important
World Day for Farmed Animals - a day to take action!
October 2nd is World Day for Farmed Animals, held every year on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi – a vocal advocate of non-violence towards animals, and although this is a day to celebrate farmed animals, it is also a day to speak up for them.
This summer, we were able to visit FRIEND Farmed Animal Sanctuary in Kent and learn about farmed animals who had been rescued from various farming practices, to begin a new life at the sanctuary.
Unfortunately though, this isn’t the reality for most farmed animals living in the UK and around the globe. Almost five billion animals have been killed for food this year in the UK alone, plus, the devastating effects of animal agriculture on the environment has been increasingly evident.
But the good news is - change is beginning to happen, and it seems that public institutions are starting to take action. Goldsmiths, University of London, and the University of Cambridge have both ditched certain types of meat in their cafeterias in order to tackle climate change. Also, the Swan School in Oxford and Greenside Primary School in West London (as featured on Jamie Oliver’s show ‘Meat Free Meals’) have gone completely vegetarian! It is incredibly encouraging to see these types of commitments and we want to see many more of them. However, although public institutions are beginning to act – we have yet to see any commitments from local authorities.
This is where #MakeFoodKinder comes in!
Make Food Kinder
In our campaign #MakeFoodKinder, we’re working with local authorities to commit to meat reduction and better animal welfare in the form of a food policy, which can then be passed on to public institutions, such as schools and hospitals, in the area. This will send a clear message that local authorities are on board with improving our health, playing a role in the fight against climate change, and are committed to improving the lives of animals.
Have you signed yet?
The best way to celebrate #WorldDayforFarmedAnimals is to take a stand for the millions of animals currently living in farming systems!
Join us in demanding local authorities take action by signing the petition here!
Together, we can #MakeFoodKinder to animals, to our health and to the planet.
