Have an animal friendly Christmas!
Dec 7, 2009
© WSPA
Christmas and the festive season is a time to get together to celebrate, eat lots of food, buy presents and for some, escaping to a hot and sunny climate. WSPA is asking people to spare a thought for animals. Buy festive food that is organic or free-range and stay away from products containing fur – there are plenty of great alternatives. If you go away this Christmas, remember to book a dog or cat sitter for your companion animal and while on your holiday travels, only visit animal friendly attractions.
Buying presents
The fur industry is responsible for the mistreatment and death of over 50 million animals for fashion every year. Species killed for non-essential luxury items include lynx, wolves, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, minks, racoons, beavers, squirrels, cats and dogs.
The power to stop fur production lies with the consumer – an industry that puts profits before ethics can only survive as long as the demand does.
As a compassionate shopper, please do not purchase clothes and accessories that are made or have fur trimmings consider the following information, and advise friends and family to do the same.
Festive food
The majority of the world's farm animals currently live in miserable factory conditions, raised using 'production line' methods. High output is achieved by subjecting the animals to intense and prolonged suffering.
Free range eggs are key when baking those delicious Christmas cookies and cakes. If you are buying your mince pies and puddings, make sure to check their labels for free range produce.
Make sure that the meat and dairy products you buy are either organic or free-range by:
• Selecting labels such as the Soil Association’s Organic Standard guarantee that animals have had a good quality life.
• Using supermarkets and retailers that have an extensive range of high welfare animal products. Check the Compassion in World Farming’s supermarket survey to see which UK supermarket comes out best.
• Visit farmers markets that sell local and animal friendly produce such as high quality meat products, cheese and fish.
There are plenty of mouth watering recipes out there for all both vegetarians and vegans alike. Check out the Vegetarian Society website and the Vegan Society website which have plenty of delicious meat-free recipes. You might also want to visit the BBC food site for their seasonal recipes.
Escaping the UK?
If you go away for Christmas holidays remember to book a dog or cat sitter for your companion animal.
While on your holiday travels only visit animal friendly attractions. View wildlife where it belongs – in the wild. Many zoos and marine parks keep animals in poor conditions with their basic needs denied. Activities like swimming with dolphins may appear fun and educational but are unnatural and stressful for the animals involved.
If you see an incident of animal cruelty, note the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved. If possible, record what you have seen on film. Photographs and video footage are invaluable evidence, but never pay to take them.
It is vital to lodge your protests locally in the first instance. Report the cruelty to any of the following: local tourist offices, local police, a local animal welfare society or your tour operator. When you return home, inform the country's embassy, your local politician, and fill in our online cruelty report form.