No Animal Should Suffer For Me
Ibecame vegan in 2018, with the Animal Aid charity’s Summer Vegan Pledge,” says Louise Carr. “I’d become aware of the animal agricultural industry and the horrors of slaughterhouses and it started to prick my conscience – I’d never really wanted to think about how meat ends up on your plate. After two weeks I knew it was what I wanted to do.
“Being vegetarian was nowhere near good enough, as the egg and dairy industries are just as cruel as the meat industry. The Vegan Society define veganism as a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
“We are exploiting our fellow animals, but we should be coexisting with them. We are increasingly encroaching on their natural habitats; look how that has resulted in epidemics and pandemics.
“Becoming vegan was an easy transition. There are more products and substitutes available than ever in the shops and a wealth of information – social media and Google are your best friends. Some people choose a wholefood, plant-based diet while others like me also buy substitutes such as vegan burgers or sausages.
“I share information, recipes and examples of vegan meals on social media to demonstrate how easy it is. I have been on animal rights marches and before the pandemic, I was also doing vegan outreach – talking to the general public in my town centre, along with my vegan friends and animal rights activists, about how they can live a cruelty-free life. We have also done vegan food tastings there.
“People are much more amenable and interested in veganism and plant-based living now than they were even a couple of years ago, which is very encouraging.
“I have six autoimmune diseases, including MS, and my diet helps me to manage them better. My energy has increased, my skin is better and weight management is so much easier. But most importantly, my actions are now aligned with my values and my principles. No animal has to suffer for what I’m wearing, eating or putting on my face.”