This week, the French Ministry of Agriculture announced a ban on most of the country’s production of foie gras — or the “fatty liver” of ducks and geese — until August. No, it’s not based on welfare concerns but rather it’s related to “a particularly virulent strain of bird flu,” or H5N1 in southwestern France. The country supplies approximately 75% of foie gras around …
Marching Forward: Inspiring Messages of Compassion by Women
A note from Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing: Though they are so often working behind the scenes rather than in the public eye, there are thousands of women standing up and speaking out on behalf of suffering animals each and every day. As we reflect upon this Women’s History Month, I would like to send thanks to the …
5 Amazing Farm Animals Who Fought for Their Lives
The world was inspired by the story of Freddie, a young cow who courageously escaped a live meat market in Queens, NY — then went trotting about the city while passers-by posted photos to Instagram. Named for Queen’s (the band) frontman Freddie Mercury, the blessed bovine is now living the good life at New York’s Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue. About a …
Ben & Jerry’s Announces Four Vegan Flavors
For ice cream lovers, Ben & Jerry’s is the holy grail of decadent dessert delights. Known for its mouthwatering flavor combos and catchy concepts (The Tonight Dough, anyone?), the ever-popular ice creamery has earned a cult following for a very good reason: it knows its way around a pint. Vegans, however, have been out of luck when it comes to …
Hellmann’s to Make Vegan Sandwich Spread After Dropping Suit Against Hampton Creek
Hellmann’s has announced the release of an eggless “Carefully Crafted Dressing & Sandwich Spread” — a vegan “mayo.” The product is due to hit store shelves later this month. This comes in the wake of Unilever’s (the parent company of Hellmann’s brand) 2014 attack on plant-based mayo maker Hampton Creek. Unilever filed suit claiming the company’s Just Mayo product was mislabeled because it doesn’t …
Public Loves Vegan Butcher; Big Pork Calls it Unethical
From Time magazine to the Huffington Post, the Herbivorous Butcher is popping up in media outlets everywhere. Started by brother sister duo Aubrey and Kale Walch, the all-vegan eatery in Minneapolis, Minn. held its official opening last weekend. Launch day saw lines down the block and two-hour wait times. Customers snapped up cruelty-free versions of Italian sausage, smoky BBQ ribs, pepperoni and lots of …
6 Easy Things You Can Do for Animals in the New Year
When it comes to making the world a better place for animals, there is so much to be done that it’s easy to lose yourself in “shoulds.” Think: I should be attending outreach events, I should be eating a completely vegan diet, I should be converting everyone I know into an advocate … and so on. You could spend all day thinking …
Wendy’s Now Offers Veggie Burger in 24 Locations
Update: Though Wendy’s has discontinued the black bean burger, Ontario locations are now trialing the plant-based “Plantiful Burger” Plants are finding their way onto menus everywhere, and fast food joints are no exception, with Panera, Taco Bell and Subway turning their attention to veg-friendly options. Now, Wendy’s is on board. Last year, Wendy’s launched a black bean burger menu option at two locations, …
5 Reasons Fish Are Smarter Than You Think
When it comes to animals who people consider warm and fuzzy, fish are typically overlooked. Given their cold-blooded biology and underwater residence, it can be more difficult to relate to them than their mammalian counterparts. And because they look, act, and live very differently from animals we’re used to interacting with, we often assume fish can’t feel pain (they don’t scream, …