Calves and Goats...

From Jim: We have two calves and four goats. The calves and three of the goats were "by-products" of the dairy industry. They were taken from their mothers without the benefits of any feedings, wet and weak, and hauled to an auction. Their chances of survival were less than 20%. The colostrum that would have upped their chances was stripped from the mothers and thrown away. It is too much trouble to give these male babies a few days with their moms. The dairy farmers maintain it's too hard to do that. At a lot of dairies, the babies are just thrown in a dumpster. There is no euthanasia. Again, the milk and cheese producers say that would be too difficult for them. Worse, some are used for veal. This is the cruelest of all. Locked in tiny pens and, if they survive for a week or so, they are slaughtered. Goats at least escape that fate. I sometimes really wonder what is wrong with our kind. How did we become so callous to life? How can anyone enjoy eating babies? We've had folks that visit the sanctuary complain that now that they know, they won't want to eat veal. Good, I say! To enrich those that cause suffering is be a party to it. Some dairies get it right. Not many, but some. We can promote them and avoid the inhumane abusers. I guess it will take strong legislation with really harsh penalties to bring about meaningful change. It's hard to believe that greed is so deeply embedded in our culture. Very sad. Try eggplant as a veal substitute. Check out your local dairies' practices with their calves and kids. Evil prevails when good people do nothing. You don't have to be an animal rights wingnut to insist on humane and appropriate treatment for them. We are supposed to have dominion (i.e., stewardship) of all creatures. That's a pretty big responsibility. Life is precious.