Who Are Slaughterhouse Workers

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau of Compassionate Cooks explains the importance of not demonizing slaughterhouse workers (they're not evil but rather desensitized humans) and reminds us that we're complicit in the violence if we buy meat, dairy, and eggs.
Category: Pets & Animals




I'll be releasing a video podcast come 2010, but in the meantime, I'm releasing clips on different topics as a kind of preview. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube video page to be notified when new videos are uploaded.

My Evolution Through Cats: A Tribute and a Memorial

A tribute and memorial to Simon Pieman, the bravest cat who ever lived, this episode is also the story of my transition from a "dog person" to a "cat person (and “goat person,” “chicken person,” “cow person,” “turkey person,” “pig person,” but that's another story). The most profound transformations I’ve experienced have all revolved around animals – whether it was through the animals I stopped eating or the animals with whom I’ve shared my home and life. This is a universal story about loving and letting go with a very special musical ending.


You can listen to this podcast episode by going to iTunes and searching for vegetarian food for thought or by visiting www.vegetarianfoodforthought.com and choosing the means through which you would like to listen.

You can watch the tribute video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlWmJBgrsfc

Neptune: Rest in Peace

Today is a very sad day for many of us who know and love Neptune, one of the most incredible beings I've been lucky enough to meet. Neptune is a beautiful, majestic, graceful goat at Farm Sanctuary and one of the many beautiful animals I've had the honor of knowing and loving.

His radiance and depth of spirit touched everyone who came near him, as his gentle, loving, wise soul was apparent as soon as you looked at him. Anyone who believes that animals don't have souls never met Neptune. His story is a sad one, but he was given sanctuary over 11 years ago, thanks to a compassionate neighbor who intervened on his behalf and thanks to Farm Sanctuary, who took him in. Though he gave his love generously, you could still sense a tinge of sadness at the memory of what he suffered before he came to the farm.

As we watched the sun set together for the last time, I felt him assuring me that it was all okay. That he was alright. It would all be alright. His dignity never failed him even to the end when it was incredibly painful for him to stand up or walk. My last image is of him lying down, with his head up to the breeze, facing the setting sun. Though my heart breaks at the thought of never seeing him again, my heart is filled with gratitude for having been graced by his presence in my life.