Leather shoes

 

Leather sandals


This is the place for you to voice your opinions or let off some steam about issues that affect us all. We’re always keen to read your viewpoints and we’re sure that there are loads of other young veggies out there who will want to know what you’re thinking too!

Have your say by e-mailing haveyoursay@vegsoc.org now!

The issues you've had your say about so far are eggs, pets and leather.

Note: We can’t guarantee to use all contributions but any replies will be read and acknowledged. All messages will be subject to moderation before they are allowed online so whilst you’re having your say make sure that you avoid anything which might be considered obscene language, steer clear of personal criticism and try to stick to the point! And if you are replying to a particular contribution, please quote the name of the person who sent in the original message just to help keep us all on track

 

School Farms

Do animals on school farms help pupils learn to love animals and appreciate where meat comes from? Or is it wrong to use animals as an educational tool and keep them anywhere near schools? A school in Kent was recently in the news when a lamb, which the pupils had hand-reared, was slaughtered and its meat raffled off to pay for new piglets.

Why not tell us what you think? Have your say about animals on school farms!

From Liam

"Maybe if children see what animals are really like and that they have their own personality they won’t want to eat them"
From Harriet

"I like it when we have chicks at school but I don’t know where they go when they get older. Some of the children are cruel to them though and I think they would be if we had other animals too"
From Felicity

"I think it’s great that everyone gets to see just how beautiful pigs can be, especially when they are covered in mud!"
From Chardonay

"I don’t think its right that the animals are given names and treated like pets. Then they kill them. On my uncle’s farm they never name the animals that are going to be killed for food!"

 

 

Have you had a butcher's at our new animal welfare campaign yet? Click here and here for more details!

 

 

Eggs

Do you eat eggs? Do you make a point of only choosing free-range? Are eggs an essential part of any well balanced diet and a valuable source of protein? Or maybe you refuse to let them pass your lips? Perhaps you are concerned about animal welfare issues related to eggs … why not tell us what you think? Have your say about eggs!


From Dinanath

"If we analyse what egg is, it is all the necessary ingredients for making a chick or hen/cock. An animal, and the components in the egg are the ingredients to do so. The origin is not veggie and the result is not veggie!"
From Ross

"We keep chickens in our garden so I definitely know that all our eggs are free range!"
From Jasmine

"We always choose free range, but when we buy ready meals you can’t tell where the eggs have come from. They should say if they use battery farm eggs"
From Fabian C

"I only have eggs because it’s not hurting anything is it? The eggs we eat aren’t fertilised so there is no chance that one will hatch if you didn’t eat it and it would be a waste because it would just go rotten!"
From Annabel

"We only have free range eggs. We go down to the farm once or twice a week and get some eggs and we know that they are free range because you can see the hens. DOWN WITH COOPED UP ANIMALS!!!"
From Louise

"We only have free range eggs and my family don't mind paying extra. we go down to the farm once or twice a week and collect 3 boxes of eggs and we know their free range because you can see the hens outside and they taste nice so down with cooped up hens!"

From Nappinnai

"I am an egg eater and I don’t eat anything non-veggie. Now, the idea to be vegetarian is not to hurt any animals. When we say that we can eat free range eggs, we try to make sure that the hens do not undergo any stress and no chicks are hurt. But aren‘t we denying the basic right / need of the hen to be with the rooster?! When we worry about the space crunch and beaks being burnt off and so on… why aren’t we worried about this?!"

 

Pets

Our animal welfare campaign, “The Butcher’s Cat”, asks why people make pets out of some animals and minced meat out of others. We’re hoping that the more people know about meat the harder it is for them to eat it. If you’re interested in finding out more about please visit www.butcherscat.com

But should veggies keep meat-eating animals as pets?

Should we consider the impact of an animal’s diet before choosing it as a pet? Maybe you think that it doesn’t matter what pets eat if they are part of the family or are companion animals for lonely people? Or is it alright to look after them only if they’re “rescued” animals?
Let us know what you think by getting involved in the Young Veggie pets debate! Why not do some research to back up your argument and try to win over those who might disagree with you…

 

From Nicola

"Did anyone else notice this story about a vegetarian cat? Apparently it really likes fruit and vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts!"
From Rai

"I pretty much agree with what most people here are saying about veggie pets. If we want to be veggie then that is our own personal choice, there are so many vegetarian products out there which make it easier for us to not eat meat. But would you be feeding your doggie tofu and Quorn? Probably not. Pets do not have the choice that we do and I think they should be allowed to eat food like other animals. I have a vegan aunty who has a vegetarian dog and I just feel sorry for it, although I admit it does look healthy..."
From Gilly

"Did anyone else notice this interesting story from Canada that discusses meatless diets for pets? Take a look at http://tinyurl.com/l8z6mh"
From Clarissa
“I don't really think it is fair for humans to not let pets eat the food they like. It is our choice to be veggie, but we don't tell meat eaters that they can no longer eat meat because we don't want them to. I feel that people who make their pets eat just veggie food are very selfish. We can't make them eat veggie food if they don't want to. Our morals aside, it is unfair and the animals can suffer from malnourishment, and could become sick. I have a dog myself, and she eats meat products in her dog food, but I feel that if she wants to I can't stop her as I love her so much and don't want her to fall ill because of me and what I believe in!”
From Sophie
“I think it's fine for vegetarians to have meat-eating pets like cats and dogs. As humans we have the choice of becoming herbivores and being perfectly healthy, but our beloved cats and dogs don't actually have this choice. I choose not to eat animals but I don't blame my pets for not being able to make this choice. The less animals killed the better, but our cats and dogs can't help needing some meat.”
From George
“Humans are omnivores, we can survive and be perfectly healthy without meat, which has allowed me to make my own moral decision to be a vegetarian. I believe it is wrong to take the life of another animal when I don’t need to. Cats and Dogs do not have this luxury. As an owner of a cat and several dogs - when I took them in to my family it became my responsibility to provide for them and make sure that they are healthy as I am the one they rely on. My animal’s needs come above my personal moral opinion. I think that it is fine for a vegetarian to give a home to a meat eating pet as being veggie is about what I eat and not what anyone else eats.

If people feel they cannot feed a pet of theirs meat then they should not get a pet that needs meat.”
From Makaely
“I’ve been a vegetarian since I was three years of age and have had cats! Cats have no choice about eating meat. What else are they going to eat… vegetables? If cats did not eat meat they would waste away to nothing and die, then it would defeat the point of me being a vegetarian. What do you think?”
From Sandra
“I think it is ridiculous to stop your pet from having meat when that is the natural thing for him/her to do. If humans had not interfered in the first place these animals would be out in the wild naturally eating meat. If you own a cat DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT deprive it of meat as cats are carnivores and cannot survive without meat. Dogs can, with the appropriate substitutes for the nutrition they are losing.”
From George
“Some people will be ideal for rescue dogs others won’t – it is best for everyone involved to make the right choice. Just because a dog comes from a good background does not make it any less worthy of your love than a rescue. Even If everyone got rescue dogs there would still be dogs without a home as those from good backgrounds sometimes end up in bad situations – you would be doing the dogs a favour to get the one right for your family from the start so you can give them everything they deserve. All pets need a loving home but they need a home that is right for them so get a pet that is right for you.”
From Yvonne
“Yes, I know that my cat eats lots of meat and that really goes against my veggie principles, but I can’t find any veggie alternatives that he likes and I love him so much that I can’t bear to be without him.”
From Jane
“I’ve just read that more than half of all cat owners feed their pets with stuff of their own plates like takeaways, roast dinners and fried foods such as bacon and sausages to try to save money! Vets have warned that doing this is harmful to pets who can suffer from malnourishment, obesity, diarrhoea and vomiting if they eat too much unhealthy human food.”
From Brian
“My rabbit doesn’t eat any meat. Thanks heavens for that.”

 

Leather

Have you ever worn leather or does the very thought of it make your skin crawl? Is using the skin as bad as eating the flesh? Would you ever carry a leather bag, use a leather cricket ball, pull on a leather belt or sit on a leather chair? Perhaps you’ll only use leather if it’s second-hand… perhaps you can’t find a suitable alternative!

Let us know what you think by getting involved in the Young Veggie leather debate! Why not do some research to back up your argument and try to win over those who might disagree with you…

From George
"I wear Converse, wellies and fabric trainers most of the time so don't have to worry about leather shoes. My school forced me to wear them when I was in uniform but now in 6th form I choose shoes from the office.co.uk. They are made of that shiny fake leather stuff, middle price range but very smart looking. However I LOVE the smell of leather, which as a veggie I know I shouldn’t, but I just can’t help it - it smells so warm and welcoming."
From Jilly
"The original Crocs shoes are animal-free in most designs and have high ethical standards. They are also quite good for your feet. And there are so many designs these days that some, such as the Alice design, are even okay as school shoes. A few models do have leather on them, although it is fairly obvious which ones!"
From Glenda
"High street shoe shops, particularly the cheap ones, have many non-leather shoes, sandals & trainers. Just check the labels! I've been told that even Clark's and Deichmann’s have started doing a number of non-leather shoe shoes at last."
From Jess
"I have recently become a vegetarian and a few years ago I bought a leather bag. I didn’t really know where leather came from but now that I do I don’t buy leather anymore, but I still use the bag because otherwise it would be a waste of a cow. Is this ok?"
From Olivia
"Leather is nasty! It’s animal hide! How would people like it if we made shoes out of them?!"
From Iona
"I became a veggie when I was 11 (I’m 13 now) and don’t use anything tested on animals but it’s hard to find any shoes without leather. I try my best to not use it but my parents insist I wear leather shoes as they are better quality. I wish you could buy good shoes without leather being used. I hate to think it is animal on my feet but I struggle to find any alternative! I hope non-leather shoes will become widely available in the future."
From Vaughan
“I’ve just watched a short film about the effects that the leather business has on the people who work in it and the general environment. If you needed any more convincing that leather is a bad thing, and even if you don’t, I’d suggest spending a few minutes on the Ecologist website. It might open your eyes a little bit more!”
From Clarissa
"I really hate the idea of people wearing dead cows on their feet. It makes me feel sick. I try to avoid it as much as possible. I never really thought about the fact that footballs etc. are made with leather however.

I love to wear Converse footwear as they are veggie friendly and I buy my shoes on vegetarian websites. It is great. I also use the websites to buy ballet shoes for my dancing. To find some great veggie friendly styles, why not try these websites: www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk and www.ethicalwares.com. You won't regret it."
From Coral
"I loathe leather a lot. I don't participate in going to football games at my school because the football is pigskin. I do not wear leather at all. I ride horses however. My dad is planning to get me a horse for my birthday. I will get a synthetic saddle, they are easier for the horse anyway as they are lighter on their backs. When I get new shoes, I check the inside tag to see if there is any death in it. When I became a vegetarian, I trained myself to think of a suffering animal whenever I got tempted to buy leather or devour meat. Now, just smelling or seeing it makes me lose my appetite. I plug my nose in the school cafeteria. I would never touch the leather couch in our living room with a ten-foot pole!"
From Tom, aged 15
"Ever since I became vegetarian I have avoided leather as much as I can. I never buy leather shoes anymore although I appreciate that it is difficult to find other materials so I do not hold this against people. What really annoys me is leather jackets as this is just so obvious and it is like adding insult to injury. I also hate it when shops sell exclusively leather products and show off about it! It's nothing to be proud of and they would obviously get a lot more custom if they were more diverse."
From Michelle
"Now I'm in college I’m finding it’s getting easier to find shoes that are not leather. When I was in school it was harder with school shoes but to be honest I didn’t really wear leather before I was veggie anyway... However, I ride horses and it is not just a hobby but something I want to do as a career. The only time I come close to leather is when I'm handling the horse’s saddle and bridle - any other time I won’t but, for the horses... sorry cows!"
From Kathryn Turnbull
"Personally I really do hate leather and buying it significantly contributes to the meat industry as it is one of the most valuable parts of the animal. I find it very difficult to wear it, and even more frustrated when my mother asks if I can 'just make an exception'! Though it is very difficult to find shoes that aren't made of leather, in the North East it is almost impossible. So my options are very limited, unless I am willing to buy poorly made canvas shoes that don't keep your feet dry in the winter. I am still trying to find an alternative to leather...I just can't stand it! It also annoys me how much leather is used in the production of musical instruments, saxophones have leather pads and some clarinets have pads made from fish skin and come in an all leather case. This is just impossible to avoid!"
From Kirsty
"I really hate leather, I think that it's inhumane and the same as wearing fur or eating meat. However, I myself do own leather shoes. This is because they are supposedly "good for your feet", so at least for school I have to have leather shoes (against my beliefs - my Mum makes me). Despite this, I avoid buying them at all costs as there are so many products you can buy without leather, and the vast majority of my (many) shoes are completely leather free.

I find the actual smell and look of leather repulsive as I recognise it instantly as a corpse of a murdered animal, and I think it's really sad that society still makes and sells products which are made from a slaughtered animal which used to have thoughts, feelings, family and life."
From Natasha
"I am very against leather and have never owned a leather jacket, sofa or bag but really struggle to find sensible school shoes that aren't leather, if anybody has any good suggestions for alternative footwear it would be much appreciated!"
From Joe, aged 14
“I find leather really hard to avoid, my school won't let you wear canvas shoes, the leather alternatives cost a bomb and when it gets hot they make your feet smell. So I’m going to just look after my leather pair really well until I finish school then I'm not going to wear leather shoes ever again, promise!”
From Alex
“The thought of leather certainly does make my skin crawl, but I find it hard to avoid. It's so widely used. I would never intentionally buy leather though.”
From Ruby
“The thought of having a skin that has been ripped from a dead animal on me is so disgusting… you definitely won’t ever catch me wearing leather no matter how good some people might think it looks!”
From Phil H
“How stupid am I? I play cricket and have never even thought that I’m actually holding the skin of a dead animal when I touch the ball. Suppose at least I’ve got an excuse when I drop a catch though. Does anyone know if there’s a non-leather cricket ball that is available and suitable for “real” cricket matches?”