Our Partners, The AnimalsReflections from a Farmed Animal Sanctuary

Abstract

Abstract There is a transformative connection that happens when people visit farm animal sanctuaries. When “animal lovers” come face to face with cows who want to bathe them in kisses, pigs who grunt their gratitude for a good belly rub, or turkeys who fall asleep in their laps, they see who their food is. In these moments, visitors understand their complicity in unspeakable suffering. It is in this way that sanctuaries are powerful vegan-makers. This chapter argues that Effective Altruism’s blanket condemnation of sanctuaries’ role in ushering in veganism is short-sighted, self-serving, and detrimental to our shared effort. Our sense of justice is ignited when someone in our circle has been harmed. Providing ‘animal lovers’ the ability to connect powerfully with the beings for whom we advocate is one of the greatest tools our movement has.