Cat Food DESPERATELY Needed!

In Los Angeles alone, there are over 1,000,000 street cats, many of which would die of starvation if it were not for organizations like Catnippers Clinic & Animal Alliance (which is run by a friend of mine, so I can vouch for its authenticity!), who have teamed up to save as many of these sweet babies as they possibly can. 

The number of lives they save depends on us, and fortunately they’ve made it as easy as possible for us to help out! They’ve set up an Amazon Wish List, where the desperately needed items can be purchased and automatically sent to Animal Alliance, where the food will immediately be distributed to starving, homeless cats.

These cats suffer because human guardians did not properly spay & neuter. Let’s not allow them to feel any more pain because of our neglect. Click here to purchase (items start at just $7.20!) through the wish list, and go to sleep knowing you filled a struggling kitty’s stomach tonight. If you can’t afford to help out right now, please consider sharing this post with those who might! 

In conclusion, HELP here.

(Note: I realize many of my followers are vegan and perhaps uncomfortable with the notion of purchasing non-vegan food. I’ve never had a cat and have not extensively researched the viability of a vegan diet for them, but I know it’s complicated. Please understand that, more often than not, these cats are knocking on death’s doorstep before CC & AA intervene, thus the need for immediate assistance; it is simply not feasible to transition them all to a vegan diet. If you would prefer to supply them with vegan cat food, I’m sure they would welcome that offer as well, as Animal Alliance was co-founded by a vegan.)

As a lifelong lover of pigs (the film ‘Gordy’ turned me veg at 8 yrs old), gestation crates are, for me, one of the most heartbreaking elements of the factory farming system.

More than 6 million pigs in the U.S. are kept as breeding sows on factory farms…For a 400-pound sow, it’s such a tight fit that she can’t turn around, lie down comfortably or take more than a step forward and back for most of her life.

- Farm Sanctuary

Because most humans prioritize a momentary experience of gustatory pleasure above not only animal welfare but also their own health, mama pigs are subjected to a lifetime of loneliness, discomfort, and confusion. 

We can fight this by choosing and promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle (it’s fun, I promise!).

This year, 4,500,000 foxes will be killed for the fur trade, so companies like INTERMIX can profit from their imprisonment and slaughter.

The fur industry won’t end tomorrow, but we can begin chipping away at it today. Our INTERMIX: Please Go Fur Free petition has almost hit 50,000 signatures- a number this company surely cannot ignore!

Help us get there?

If any kid ever realized what was involved in factory farming they would never touch meat again. I was so moved by the intelligence, sense of fun and personalities of the animals I worked with on “Babe” that by the end of the film I was a vegetarian.

~ James Cromwell

I will forever cherish the day I met James Cromwell (in the pig pen at Animal Acres!)

“Happy Meat” Comes From Sunny Acres Farms!

I know there are a lot of mixed opinions about PETA out there (and I’d prefer this post not turn into a forum for debating about it, but of course I can’t control that…), and while I’ve shaken my head at a few of their campaigns in the past, there’s no denying they are a HUGE force for animals, and they accomplish things other non-profits can only dream of.

This is their latest video, and I think it’s pretty fantastic.

A few months ago I came across an incredibly unique company called Novella Royale. I discovered the site through Tristan Prettyman, one of my favorite musical artists and a big fan of Novella Royale’s fashion. The essence of the company is this: they find vintage materials and fabrics, then revamp & redesign them into a fabulous accessory or piece of clothing. Every piece is unique and hand crafted. I’ve been pining after these shorts for months (one of these days I’m going to splurge on them), and consequently have ended up following the company on every possible social media platform (they post awesome stuff).

Here’s the issue: They sell leather.

Here’s the question- What do we think about it?

Here’s why I’m not 100% sure- No one (new) has to die for it.

Because of their dedication to environmental preservation, Novella Royale only uses recycled leather. They find vintage leather jackets, cut them up, and turn them into magically fashionable bags/apparel. While I occasionally purchase faux leather products, I do know that they are not always the most environmentally friendly items (and by hurting the environment, we are of course harming animals & humans); because of this, I try to purchase them only in moderation, unless they are from mind-blowingly eco-friendly vegan companies like OlsenHaus. Still, a girl’s gotta put something on her feet- and on her arm. The only possible issue I can see in wearing recycled leather items is that they promote the idea that leather is fashionable- but is that any different than wearing faux leather? I can’t see a difference.

I’ve been pretty torn about the issue for a while now, and here’s what I’ve concluded: I don’t love the idea of wearing something that was once a living, breathing, feeling animal on my body, but that is mostly out of my own discomfort as opposed to a true ethical objection. Since I’m lucky enough to have a canvas “Fur Free” tote that I take everywhere, I’m pretty set for the moment- but for the rest of you out there who need something to hold your Matt & Nat wallet and Lush lip gloss, I (think I) encourage you to buy from Novella Royale- a company that is truly taking steps to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

I have a feeling there will be some opposing opinions out there, and I’d love to hear them! Let me have it.

Edit: Thanks for the feedback! If your vote is nay, what’s your favorite cruelty-free company/material?

ATTENTION: Supporters of our INTERMIX: Please Go Fur-Free Campaign!

Intermix buyers are currently at New York Fashion Week, where I’m told cold-hearted designers are throwing inherently cruel fur-laden garments on any runway that will have them.

We CANNOT allow these buyers to ignore the connection between the items they’re seeing draped over models and the fur-bearing animals being used & abused to create them. Purchasing decisions for the fall/winter 2012 season are being made as we speak. NOW is the time for another huge push.

Please sign & especially share the petition far and wide! Thank you!

http://www.change.org/petitions/intermix-please-go-fur-free

My incredible friend Amanda Fortino snapped this shot today at Farm Sanctuary, and I couldn’t help but share. This pig and cow were bred to end up on someone’s plate or body, but fortunately were rescued by the heroic Farm Sanctuary team. Billions of others just like them are massacred annually to satisfy human greed and selfishness.

These magnificent animals express tenderness and curiosity just like our beloved cats & dogs. They are intelligent, social, and just as capable of fear, loneliness, and misery as any other being.

Choose compassion over convenience. Choose honor over horror. Choose integrity over insensitivity. Choose progress over pain. Choose truth over tradition. Choose action over ambivalence.

Choose vegan.