This is the first video that I’m uploading on the pet trade, and I hope that you find it useful! :) Make my work possible by becoming a supporter of my activism here (thank you!): www.earthlinged.org/support Make the switch to vegan & get all of the support you need: switchtovegan.co.uk FREE 122 page e-book: www.earthlinged.org/ebook
Earthling Ed I’m a Brit running a dog rescue in the US, excellent film, sharing it to our Facebook page now. Thank you, your dedication is outstanding 🌱
😭😭you are one of my heroes Ed .. you never give up.. your light shines brightly.. truly the Spirit of the Universe is reflected in you..🙏🙏🙏I would never and have never gotten a pet from a pet shop.. all rescue.. thank you for this
Question for you Ed, wouldn't it not be vegan to own obligate carnivores as pets? For the pleasure of owning one, aren't you paying for the suffering of other animals in order to feed them?
@albert fish What do you mean "get rid of them"? Are you telling me to murder the animals, whom I rescued? There are not enough homes. That is why millions of cats and dogs are killed.
Me too i found my cat in front of my house years ago when i was going home with my family late at night, he was literaly glowing in the dark because of his white fur and when he saw us he ran to us and went to our apartment so we decided to keep him. It felt as if he was the one who chose us haha
@@astroknight8832 Lol well it’s true. You’re missing the point. Because people are delusional and lonely, this is why we have a over population of pets problem. Pets aren’t here to be our “buddies”. PETA themselves are FOR euthanasia and against no-kill shelters. Euthanasia = humane in these situations. This is where we are at.
I've been Vegan for 15 months, I'm 53yrs old and have always only ever adopted dogs and cats, there's a real sense of doing something worthwhile in giving a needing animal a new permanent loving home.
That's amazing! I wish my dad was as open minded as you. Even though me and my brother both are vegan and have been for a long time, well my brother at least, he still refuses to even eat the vegan food we cook and only wants to eat dairy/meat foods.
@Amy Leigh Yeah he is in good health though probably better than me tbh, he works out a lot and "need meat for protein" and all that. Refuses to watch documentaries I recommend to him or won't engage in discussion because he thinks I've been brainwashed by the "vegan propaganda". I wish he would but I don't think it'll happen, some people just refuse to change sadly.
Well done! I am vegan for 6 months now after being vegetarian. I am the only vegan in my family. My kids are not and my parents think I am insane 😂. Btw I am already 52 so I thought too old for discussions concerning what I eat. I had a lot of pets and my cats were all rescues and so is my dog. We also had Guinea Pigs when my kids were small and they were from a family that wanted to get rid of them. I love animals
But, you have to buy the animal to adopt them? That's how our shelter works. You have to pay to cover some of the costs of jabs, healthcare, labour ect.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 are you serious????? 🙄🙄🙄 Don't act stupid, you know exactly what I mean. And adoption doesn't only mean having to go to a shelter and paying a fee to take the animal. I have found animals out, alone, and I have kept them myself or found homes for them for free. Your response makes you sound really stupid or proves you're being a rude condescending jerk
@@stacyflood8764 what about adoption of a omnivorous or carnivorous animal? By doing that you're still having to buy animal products to feed them, which vegans avoid doing to feed themselves.
@albert fish I think you may be misinformed when it comes to PETA. While many find their approach to certain social issues controversial, PETA specifically euthanizes sick/dying animals that are rejected by other shelters and would alternatively die a slow, more agonizing death. The truth is we do not enough resources to care for every sick animal that we come into contact with. Until we are able to reduce the amount of breeding and over populating of dogs and cats, this is the most viably ethical option. Also in regards to adopting, most vegans view it as giving these animals a second chance at life. Considering the other option would be euthanization most people would view this as the more ethical option.
@@andrewm1019 Well said Andrew, why wouldn't us vegans adopt knowing that the end game for that animal is otherwise euthenazies. This should not be a debate but rather a logical solution to a very big problem that's root cause has not yet been stopped. This is currently our best solution for helping the animals in this industry. 👍🏻🌱
just wanted to add that everything in this video (except for rates of overpopulation and euthanasia) also apply to small pets such as ferrets, hamsters, rats, rabbits who are all also produced in animal mills with very similar treatment. many of these pets also need homes and are up for adoption
I agree! They are far more mistreated than dogs and cats imo cause they are brought for kids, stuffed into unsuitable cages and neglected. I have a free roam rescue rabbit and its been so nice to see her come out of her shell after years of improper care
@@whosaidthat4299 Yes she is :) She was litter trained when we rescued her, but from what I hear rabbits naturally want to have a separate space to do their business in so its pretty easy
I got a black cat about six-seven years ago from a shelter, he was pretty shy and independent, my mom thought we should go to a different shelter. So glad I told my mom he was perfect.
@@justanormaldefaultpfp9309 Non-human animals shouldn't be properties at all, only companions with whom we live together in our homes. Cattle doesn't exist but in the minds of farmers and necrovores.
@@Harriemes the problem is that if you use capitalism this happens and you get screwed, and it you use communism you get instant tyranny and also get screwed, Pick your Poison.
@@lor7780 No animal can consent to being bred for profit. There's no such thing as a "good" or "responsible" breeder because the act of breeding the animal at all is what's wrong. There's no right way to do it because it should not be done, period. Animals should either breed amongst themselves naturally in the wild OR in some rare cases of conservation, conservationists can help species conceive who are having issues. Dogs and cats CANNOT be morally bred because there are thousands and thousands of dogs and cats already alive that need homes and if they don't get one they'll be euthanized. Each new dog or cat that is bred to be sold is one more animal stopping a potential adoption. There's nothing moral about profiting off of exploiting animals. No matter how nicely you exploit them, it's by definition exploitation. They do not have a choice in the matter. Just put yourself in the shoes of those dogs and cats for a moment. Would you like it if someone forced you to have sex and then took your children away from you to sell them? Would that be ok to do to a person? If not, what makes it ok to do it to an animal?
So sad 😔 I know far too many people that bought their pets. It’s so hard to see everyone talking about how cute they are. I just think of all the poor animals in the shelters left behind 😔
I can just see you sitting there moping like a baby when your friend is talking about how cute their kitten is. I'll bet you're a real fun likable person.
Just because someone bought a dog instead of adopting doesn’t mean they’re bad people for leaving the animals in shelters behind... Are people who choose to have babies leaving children behind in adoption agencies?
@@mollyoxy people who want children should look into fostering and adoption too. Why make someone when there are kids who you can love and care for right now?
What's always bothered me even before I knew what veganism was is how our breeding of dogs basically make them deformed and decrease their quality of life dramatically... The english bulldog comes to mind, it can't even breath properly anymore, and somehow this is desirable?... Reminds me of the chickens in factory farming, very sad.
Nowadays dogs and cats especially the exotic ones are just a sign of STATUS SYMBOL. Just a few mnths ago I talked with my batchmate who then recently "bought(according to her)" a German Shepherd, I tried telling her the truth of the pet industry but she wasn't ready to understand, I tried telling her that YOU CAN "OWN THINGS", BUT YOU "CANNOT OWN LIVES". And the logic of 'Adopt don't shop' as India have plenty of streeties roaming and asking for a good life, but she got super angry at me and told that pls don't spoil the mood coz they were happy. Thnx ed that now I can send her this video, and try to tell her again. Thnx for the awesome content. . . . Love from India🇮🇳💌
@Jonah Whale totally right. Indian pariahs are known to adjust in extreme climates, and we don't even have to pay ("buy")to adopt them from shelter homes unlike other foreign countries, we have them at every single doorsteps and they differ SOO much from dog to dog. I just love them, that's all I can say.
This is a greatly important topic that needs to be discussed more frequently within vegan circles. Our (justified) focus in the welfare of farm animals should not cast a shadow onto other issues, like the welfare of pets or non-domesticated animals.
I think it’s a bit of a controversial topic in the vegan community. I watch a lot of vegan UA-cam and I’ve seen multiple vegan channels argue that it’s more ethical to euthanize cats than to adopt cats due to their need for a carnivorous diet or the need for intensive vet monitoring on a vegan diet with the option of switching to a carnivorous diet depending on test results. I’m on the pro cat side of things, but I don’t know that I could justify my position with logic and reasoning.
@@laurap8529 I’ve wondered what the “right” decision is. I’m vegan, but I have 2 cats and a leopard gecko that I got before I became vegan. I obviously feed them what they need to be healthy (a carnivorous diet), but I often wonder if this is the “right” decision. I love them, and I always end up justifying it to myself by remembering that I value them as members of my family, and I would go to great lengths to care for my family. Anyone have any thoughts? It’s a hard question IMO
Even most pet owners rarely love their animals genuinely. Most often it's more that people like how pets make them feel, rather than they have the pets best interest at heart (or we'd have way less pets in the first place). And honestly, I personally do not think it is vegan to have pets, adopted or not. Especially not carnivores or exotics. There is something quite sinister to breed animals so we can feed other animals we have bred in masses just so we don't feel lonely. Obviously this is a bit of a controversial issue - and I'd never make anyone give up their pets or whatever, of course not. But the whole 'pet business' needs to reconsidered. In the end, if you are consequently with adopt - don't shop - you will eventually end up with a petless society
@@laurap8529 Yes, I would definitely agree with you on the fact that it is a topic that demands us to be openminded and willing to fall into controversy. I do think that its controversy stems from very similar reasons to that of animal agriculture (tradition, culture, etc.), even if the reasons are not as clear to the naked eye (due to most pets not being treated in such detrimental ways as farmed animals are, and their meaningful contributions to our lives). I've read a bit about cats in relation with veganism too, as well as the ethics of owning them. I don't think the euthanasia argument would work unless you consider yourself an antinatalist or a pro-mortalist, due to the fact that if the euthanization of one species is seen as a reduction of suffering, then the euthanization of all species would be the ultimate solution to all suffering. I take it that you reject this argument because you continue owning cats, so that's out of the question. Knowing this, then it would seem that the best way in which you could reduce animal suffering is to not partake in the breeding of cats personally, either adopting or rescuing them. If you already do this, I'd argue that you're maximally reducing harm in accordance to your beliefs. In any other video I'd try to present to you the arguments for antinatalism and why I take it to be the most moral course of action, but I don't want to depart from the topic at hand or sound pretentious.
Me too! My cats love tuna and raw chicken but I feel so guilty buying it because I know those products came from factory farms. Same with the ingredients in their cat food too. But I know they can’t live off plant food :/
My cat is a rescue. Her previous owners who live in my town got dogs that barked at her constantly. She was so scared that she would stay on top of the kitchen cupboards and even started doing the toilet there. I went and got her and now she's my spoilt flatmate. I wish I could rescue all animals.
My cat was rescued and she is the best part of my life. She was found on the streets before being rescued which means someone got her as a kitten and quickly abandoned her as she was 1.5 when she came into my life. There are so many pets in need of good homes already.
I have five rescue dogs. I never thought that they would be “normal” you can tell they have experienced emotional trauma but with a lot of love we have made each other better. They are the reason I am vegan and plant based.
Then you also have to care and be aware of what you feed your dogs. If they eat meat your carbon footprint is way higher than of a household full of humans eating meat.
Great video Ed, just a couple of suggestions. 1. The title "Why it's not ethical to buy pets", maybe more suitable as most people still see the vegan label representing something too fringe and hence something to avoid. 2. Using the term selfish alone to explain why people buy pets doesn't go far enough. It needs to be stated also that in a system where people have to use any means necessary to survive hence profit from, this industry is to be expected. So it's not just selfishness, it's how the system of capitalism operates. If people's needs were met, the propensity to exploit for personal gain would barely be nonexistent.
But by definition it is selfish. They do not ever have to do it but they choose to, at the expensive of others only to benefit themselves. There are lot of things people do for money but that does not mean they are ethical
@@kinkydaddy3147 Regarding the breeders, I agree, it is selfish but that’s not the only thing at play here. Don’t get me wrong, I do think people should be called out and made to see the error of their ways. But it must be realised that the mechanism of money has a built-in propensity to forgo the well-being of others. This has been demonstrated in a number of studies. “Higher social class predicts increased unethical behaviour” 2012 “Having less giving more the influence of social class on pro-social behaviour” 2012 “How wealth reduces compassion” 2012
@@kinkydaddy3147 As for the people buying the animals, I think a lot of it is down to ignorance which is good that this video was made. Most people are stuck in a short-term localised view of reality and they see violence as a singular act, not a process. I can imagine people trying to justify saying “if I don’t buy them, then they will live miserable lives”. It reminds me when I heard someone say “if I choose not to fly, that plane was going to fly without me anyway”. It’s the short-term localised view that paralyses society and we need to recognise this and put a stop to the cycle of violence.
@@David_Dann yes but it's selfish without a doubt and it seems you agree that much. Now you can figure out how to find a good job or attempt to change capitalism but there is no justification for hurting or killing animals or humans along the way. Anyway there are far worse things that can happen than to be called selfish, if we can't even use extremely mild language to describe unjust actions then what can we do. Names never killed anyone
@@kinkydaddy3147 I agree, there is no real justification for breeding but their need to survive and do well in this type of society overrides their ethics, which is more often subconscious. This is a major point that should be in the video.
I work in the pet grooming industry and the amount of sheer neglect I see forced on the puppy that someone spent thousands of dollars on is overwhelming. People are proud that they own a American Kennel Club certified dog but can’t even do something as simple as basic grooming. We need to stop thinking animals are here for us and start thinking what we can do for them. Thank you Ed for your never ending passion. I and so many others are right behind you. A Vegan world for all kind 💚
I have a genuine question. Even if people adopt pets, when they buy pet food, pet medicine, veterinary care, etc. doesn't their money go to support the longevity of the pet industry? Does anybody working in the pet industry imagine a future world where there are no pets whatsoever?
@@mistahkurtz2351 I adopted my first ever pet (dog) 5 years ago. I was 56 and he was 3 and abandoned by his owner after falling off the back of his truck and dragged along by the lead. His injuries healed and hopefully the mental scars. I am pleased that we have given him a loving home these last 5 years. So many dogs and cats get a very good deal out of their relationship with humans despite some horror stories. But there is no comparison between them and the treatment we mete out to chickens, pigs etc.
People go small in our day and age, "I am going to rescue a dog when I'm older", while I am over here like, "I am going to rescue tens of thousands of chickens when I'm older"
Great video Ed. Sad thing is, people do buy them, and sell them as ethically bred animals(which is rarely true). You make videos of topics few think about, this is great to bring awareness of such important topics. ❤️ Your work is great. I’m hoping on rescuing animals including farm animals. I can’t wait ❤️🌱
Foster parents are truly amazing people, I have a great deal of respect for them. I'd get too attached and want to keep all the babies in my care. I have photos of my little girl in her foster mum's arms before I adopted her and she looks so happy. She was in care a long time being an older dog but she was in great hands, the pics show her smooching her foster mum, so cute 😋
No matter how many that you rescue, the breeders will just make more. If you rescue them with greater intensity, they will produce them with greater intensity.
when will the day finally come where will stop treating animals as objects. I never understood why people would want to interfere a natural process , but oh here we are, and just as always it is causing more harm then good. I am so happy with my two kitten that I adopted. It is much more fulfilling knowing I have given two beautiful souls a loving warm home.
This has been made easier for anyone who wants to rescue a dog or cat. We now have meatless alternatives which are nutritionally complete and human grade - that is vitally important. I rescued my little dog 6 yrs ago and gradually transitioned her to a plant based diet. She's now a senior and our vet is very happy with her health. For anyone who disagrees, Earthling Ed did a podcast exposing the pet food industry which isn't regulated. Knowing the ingredients it's no wonder cancers in pets is on the rise. They also make dogs and cats cannibals. Euthenased pets end up in pet food. For non-vegans, this is important information for your pets too. www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-disclosure/ep-20-can-vegans-have-pets-nedBvVUNIYa/
I literally rescued a 3-year-old little doggo 7 days ago from a local shelter 🐶 The previous owner pretended he found him attached to a tree in the woods just so he wouldn’t pay for abandonment costs (60€). I had so many questions ... Thanks for all the answers!
@@thumbwiz this hypothesis is possible. That’s why Belgian law leaves owners 10 days to ask for their pets back. Since this is the biggest shelter in town there is no way he could miss it. If you don’t ask for your dog back in that time, you’re probably not the best pick. Also, the guy is known for mistreatment, frequent abandonments and is actually blacklisted from the shelter.
I only have wild pets - In my english garden the pigeons know me because I rescued one from a cat - the seagulls know me because I took one of their young to the vet - I have frogs that spawn each year blue tits that nest and black birds that sing - when you stop eating creatures they will start talking to you
I am so glad you did a video on this issue. It is so difficult to get people to understand or care, (Just as it is with all areas of animal cruelty). I cry on a daily basis for all the suffering animals endure at our hands. I feel like I'm going to die of a broken heart one day.
Unfortunately on the subject of shelters. I myself got in touch with the CPL about a year ago because I saw a 'tortie' who was looking for a home. Even though I live in a ground floor flat, with a large communal garden and my cats live on a average 15 to 18 years, I'm at home all day, have lived with cats for my entire 66 years and already had 5 cats I was not deemed good enough for the CPL because I happen to live near a High Street - they did not even bother to do a 'home check' nothing. Would add that I have heard similar stories from other people. Many of the shelters in the UK make it so difficult that most folks just give up. One of my neighbours, a young woman has been looking to foster for the past 2 years - she's still waiting. I love what you do and thank you for doing it.
I have adopted a cat I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a pet to rescue them form a cat and dog rescue place every animal deserves to feel happy and loved
@@thumbwiz but by not buying breeder animals it will stop or reduce breeding of animals I definitely think that those breeded animals deserve just as much love as any other animals but the sad truth is most of them end up in rescue centres and not in loving homes And also no animals have messed up.
do you know of any ways to buy exotic animals (aka red pandas raccoons ferrets and things like that as i really would like to purchase one in the future)
Hey Ed! I’m vegetarian but want to be vegan so much! How can I persuade my dad to let me (im only 14) Update: today my family had pizza for dinner and when he asked which ones we wanted I chose a vegan pizza!!
As the manager of an animal shelter and a vegan - thank you so very much for this video. I hope many people watch it and decide to rather adopt than to buy from a breeder!
I fully agree adopt don't shop. One challenge is that shelters can be very strict about who can adopt (e.g. show you will never have to leave the dog alone), whereas shoppers face no such barriers. My parents had to really struggle to adopt their staffies- some would give up!
My cat showed up on an exterior wall during a rainstorm. He was attracted to the light. I searched for his siblings and found none. He was about five weeks old, soaked and shivering. I stayed up with him all night and took him to the vet the next day. He was an abandoned feral cat. I took him home and did my best to pull him through his tough start in life. Four years later, he wrestles with my senior citizen cat and considers my shepherd cross dog his sister. Adopt, don’t shop and if someone chooses you, give them a great and neutered life.
I adopted my pup Molly 5 years ago. She came up to New England from North Carolina. The first time our family looked into her eyes we knew she was the one. She’s a crazy girl. She’s a boxer black lab and pit bull mix. I vividly remember getting into heated argument with some asshole at my hs, that “shelter dogs are gross” and refused to believe that full bred animals are usually produced from incest or forcibly bred. I highly recommend everyone adopt, AND DONT SHOP! I guarantee you, you will not regret it.
I get my rescue pet soon. During the lockdown a few shelters in my city (Paris, France) asked the public to come into the shelters and rescue a pet. I thought his was very cool! 😊
You should make a video about small animals! The horrible abuse of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles and other small pets from the pet industry is really terrible, and many people have absolutely no idea
Rodents? You have to be f*cking kidding me. So if there´s a rodent infestation in your home, you´re gonna adopt the rats and love them? Lmafo what´s next, cockroaches?
I agree with you. No one is saying breeders don’t care about their animals and no one is saying they just do it for the money; I certainly am not saying that. I 100% believe many if not most of them do care a lot. The point is that breeding is why so many cats and dogs die in shelters and why people who breed and buy bred dogs and cats should watch this and it would benefit all the stray and shelter animals if they redirected that care for the animals who are already alive and suffering, versus the ones who are not suffering and who haven’t been bred or born yet.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 Indeed the title is a loaded question that includes the annoying assumption "vegans don't buy pets". But I think it doesn't matter for now that you say "buy pets", and Fabio Fang pointed the part "vegans" out from the underlying whole assumption. That aggressive title makes this video stop being open and receptive to meat eaters.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 As someone who runs a cat shelter, i assure you that an adoption fee is not the same as buying a pet. You can offer me whatever amount of money you want, if you don't make a process or don't qualify, I'm not giving you a cat. In a petshop you give money for a pet, and they don't get to ask questions or express concerns.
@@fangfabio In my country, it's illegal to sell a pet like that. Only breeders and shelters can give pets. And then most breeders have a license so they have to ask about the conditions the animal is going to.
I bought my rabbit Rosie just over a year ago from a small breeder (which is something I no longer believe in) and I adopted my other rabbit Derek from the rspca (they are both spayed and neutered). I love them both so much and wouldn’t give them up for the world. From now on I will only ever adopt animals, it’s sad how people don’t realise how cruel breeding industries are.
Thank you for addressing this issue! I try to talk people out of buying pets, but they always insist it's a "reputable breeder!" I really think people would change their ways on this issue if they knew these were facts about breeders, and not just my opinion. I will definitely share this video
The saddest thing is knowing people who just haven’t desexed their animal companions and each year they willingly send the offspring to shelters! Adopt, don’t shop!
Ed, please make a video about the moral implications of buying animal based food for your pets and what options there are for both dogs and cats. I may adopt a dog later on but want to know if there are affordable and viable food options. If there’s already a video like this please someone let me know. Thanks
There's another aspect that I haven't seen many vegans consider. All pet-related expenses (e.g. food, medicine, veterinary care, etc.) all goes to the pet industry.. Do you think the pet industry want to become obsolete in the future? Of course not.. so the industry at large will still support breeders.
@@lor7780 agreed. I’m vegan all the way, but it fills me with so much sadness when I see vegan activists feeding their carnivorous animals plants. Ah, ok, all of a sudden facts and logic don’t matter when they want them to fit their personal agenda?
What about feeding your pet? Cats are natural carnivores. Why would I own a cat, to feed it meat? Is it appropriate to own a pet, just to make more animals be born and die in slaughterhouses in order to feed your beloved one? These are the thoughts that keep me away from owning a pet, despite really wanting one.
Vegans who are too stupid to feed an animal what it needs shouldn't have an animal. You probably shouldn't have kids either, wouldn't want to spread those genes.
There are vegan cat foods and supplements around for decades. While controversial it's possible to feed cats food with a complete vegan formula. I use vegan cat and dog food for over ten years.
I adopted a cat from a shelter in July this year. He hadn't had a great time so he avoided us for a time. Now he has as much love for us as we him I feel. I was in foster care as a child so I felt you have to adopt. Give these animals the chance like I should of had. They deserve the same love
@@shohanwilks I agree, it's embarrassing to be vegan and nobody takes you seriously. Especially when you're trying to force your opinion on them and they couldn't care less about it.
I just found your channel! I honestly love watching your videos and I like the ethics that are involved and it really gets me thinking. I never knew that cat and dogs mills existed and this kind of practice is absolutely horrifying.
Just remember that not every country has the same problems as USA and UK, etc. In Norway, for example, when a dog needs rehoming, it usually gets a good home. There are basically no unwanted dogs suffering here.
@Raven • google "Bramble dog world record". You might be surprised that a dog on a plant-based diet held the Guinness World Record for being the world's oldest dog at the time.
Important video that people should watch. One thing I would say, sometimes I feel like some own a pet for the wrong reasons. Which I think is part of the problem which is people seeing them as just pets.. I'm also concerned with the various lockdowns increasing these issues especially when they return to a normal day in their life. What will happen then? I've had 2 rescue dogs and would definitely recommend it. You may come across some troubled dogs but they deserve happiness to. They aren't a cool collection to have, they are family. If you are looking into getting an animal please do your research first! Its a commitment!
I absolutely love the breadth of this footage selection. If you are doing all this editing by your lonesome, Ed, that makes me respect you even more than the huge amount I already do. Thank you for your persistence in speaking about the lives of our fellow cohabitants, domestic or otherwise!
Yay! So glad you made this. They talk a lot these days about how covid has impacted friendships when it comes to positions on mask use and distancing. This has become true for me in recent years regarding friends and even my favorite sibling buying bred pets instead of adopting. I just don't see the person in the same light if they've paid money for a specially created animal rather than saving one that already lives and breathes and needs a home.
@@thumbwiz no, the stores should stop buying animals from puppy mill type places. If the stores can't sell the animals, they'll probably end up dumped in shelters anyway. That's on the stores, not on vegans.
@o o Animals cannot comprehend pain to the same extent to that of a human. A human has a far greater emotional capability than any other animal and therefore it is worse to keep a human in that kind of environment than an animal
Unfortunately the world would be a less than stellar place as pets often bring about someone's best behavior and allow people to live less selfishly because they gain compassion and companionship.
Grain free is best, then know you're giving a pet a good life and making yours a bit brighter in exchange for buying the healthiest pet food possible, animal products sourced from thoughtful companies who put health over quantity. Then you feed them. Vegan since 2012 but we never got RID of our Cat. That would be insanely mean. She is 16 now. We also got a cat for our son who was lonely during homeschool. No shame. Just try to change the world with the majority of your shopping choices. Same thing but now you have a carnivore to keep fed...
There are vegan dog and cat food available, if you have the income to afford them. They provide all the nutrients they need . Remember, just like us, animals needs specific nutrients, not specific foods. It doesn’t matter where the nutrients come from.
Awesome spotlight on dog breeders & the pet trade. TYSM for showing misinformed or uneducated people the reality of how animals suffer due to greed. Take care, Stay safe & Best wishes Ed ❤
I disagree with the "owning" of pets. "Rescuing" pets still contributes to the market for pets. No matter how many that you "rescue," the mills will just make more. Let's be honest. Most pet "rescues" are still paid for so there is an actual market for rescue pets. What we need is an 80%tax on all pet sales and to use that revenue for free spay and neuter for all pets. Ideally, we just need to make pet mills illegal, but that would be harder to do. While I'm on the subject, carnivorous pets need to eat other animals which then enters another level of animal abuse. What do you feed your carnivorous pet???? Dig deeper. Why do you need to "own" a pet? Is it because you need a distraction? Is it because you don't feel complete in your life? Is it because you need to prove to other people that you are a good person? Is it to prove to yourself that you are worthy of love? Is it because you are insecure and need a creature to give you unconditional love? Are any of those selfish reasons worthy to contribute to the suffering of millions of pets?
@@alphaess1 I had a dog. I love the idea of having (owning) (rescuing) (being the hero) (getting unconditional love) Pets. It is just that I am mature enough to recognize the difference between my immediate short term desires and what is objectively right (good) (unselfish).
@@lioness2000how so? I've had pets for most of my life (guinea pigs & rabbits, so vegan pets if you will). I feed them, I clean after them, I take them to the vet when they're sick and I make sure all their needs are met. I don't see how this is abusing them or any of their fellow animals. I don't feel like I'm owning them, either. They're my best friends and from an objective standpoint, I get the short end of the stick in our relationship. In this year alone I had vet bills over 2,000 euros. Just atm one of my guinea pigs is sick and I have to look after them 24/7, which led to me not sleeping 3 nights in a row. I spend 2 hours a day just cleaning after them, another hour to get and prepare food for them. I'd do everything for them and yeah, they make me happy and maybe I'm selfish for having them but they're happy here & i doubt they'd be better off not being alive in the first place. I genuinely don't see any problems with having pets. As long as you don't support breeders. I never contributed to the suffering of millions of pets, that's just utter nonsense. I'm wondering, are you against having your own kids as well? Cause that, too, causes a lot of suffering (climate change etc), is selfish in the same way as getting pets & there are so many children in the foster care system wanting a home. But I figure you're against having children of youre own cause you're saying "we're not supposed to get any kind of animal"?? That's a bizarre kind of world view, and I don't even want kids.
@@feemuller7107 You are still imprisoning those animals in your home. I don´t care how much you spend time or money, it´s still wrong. The animals don´t care how much you spent money on them. Would you like to live in closed space, had someone else to choose for you what you eat and when, choose for you what activities you had and if you get to roam free for some time? Didn´t think so. If your pet is sick it´s suffering, and your selfish needs to own animals causes that suffering. Just imagine what you could have spent that 2000 euros for, what a waste to use it to useless animal. Having kids is completely different discussion, but yes adopting a child is better than having your own. You can´t however compare having kids to having pets, it´s an insult to children. Pets are like hobby, while we all have been kids at some point, we need kids so that the society will keep rolling and at some point kids grow up and start to take care of themselves. Yes, having kids is selfish from some point of view, but without kids, our world would fall apart. Who would do all the work and take care of old people when we grow too old to do anything? Answer to that, if you think having kids is selfish. Besides, many other things cause pollution (For example dog poop and cat litter, and pets are not even essentials!) Having kids is not for everyone, including me. But to say that no one should have kids, proves you are narrow-minded and naive. Pets are waste of resources, money and energy. Pets do nothing for the society and they will never grow up and start to look after themselves. Pets will live their lives just because people want to own something cute and alive. But you don´t own kids, and parent want to see their kids grow up, become their own person and build a life they want.
My dog Milli is a rescue from spain where she lived in the streets, was regularly beaten by the ppl there, lost all her puppies and would have been gotten killed some day. When she arrived she had super thin fur and her tail was super thin. Now she is living with us since 12 years and is a fluffy fur ball. Also you can really feel how thankful she is. She is always so happy and so patient and calm and cuddly ❤️ i love her like sister and am terrified of the day she'll pass away but till then i embrace every moment with her.
Any arguments against absolute egoism? My brother says he just always does what's the best for him...basically everyone does. Vegans are only vegan because they'd have a guilty conscience if they ate meat, so by being vegan they just feel better. Well my brother doesn't. Is there anything that could prove him wrong?
Just wanted to say that I have watched a lot of your videos, and am so inspired. By exposing the cruel truths of the world you are changing people's lives, and the world in general little by little. The world needs more people with your compassion and understanding. I never leave UA-cam comments, even after watching easily over 10,000 videos. But I just had to thank you for doing what you do. You are nothing short of a true hero for planet Earth and all of it's beautiful creatures.
This is the first video that I’m uploading on the pet trade, and I hope that you find it useful! :)
Make my work possible by becoming a supporter of my activism here (thank you!): www.earthlinged.org/support
Make the switch to vegan & get all of the support you need: switchtovegan.co.uk
FREE 122 page e-book: www.earthlinged.org/ebook
Earthling Ed I’m a Brit running a dog rescue in the US, excellent film, sharing it to our Facebook page now. Thank you, your dedication is outstanding 🌱
Thanks💚 from Italy. I share on fb
😭😭you are one of my heroes Ed .. you never give up.. your light shines brightly.. truly the Spirit of the Universe is reflected in you..🙏🙏🙏I would never and have never gotten a pet from a pet shop.. all rescue.. thank you for this
Yes ED!!! smashed it again with another amazing video xxx
Question for you Ed, wouldn't it not be vegan to own obligate carnivores as pets? For the pleasure of owning one, aren't you paying for the suffering of other animals in order to feed them?
It's sad to think that, in our society, "I love animals" actually means "I love pets", and most often only those who are purebreds.
💯
Even "I love pets" is bad. It is using animals for emotional gratification.
@albert fish What do you mean "get rid of them"? Are you telling me to murder the animals, whom I rescued? There are not enough homes. That is why millions of cats and dogs are killed.
This is why animal breeding must be banned.
vegans hate animals. you kill them through plant farming and u chop up innocent plants. I wouldn't be talking!!
The more I learn about humans, I realise words like "love" "kindness" "compassion" "care" are so ambiguous!
You realise that the word “humane” is ironic
if you look closely, humans are made of greed :'(
we take everything from nature just to feed our insatiable hunger.
No, they are masks for selfishness.
Let the hate flow through you.
@@rezt3797 We usually say that nature is bad and cruel but it looks it's vice versa
Found my dog in front of my house. She has never left my side ever since.
Me too i found my cat in front of my house years ago when i was going home with my family late at night, he was literaly glowing in the dark because of his white fur and when he saw us he ran to us and went to our apartment so we decided to keep him. It felt as if he was the one who chose us haha
Because you feed her.
:) I found my cat companion just to the left of my door. She has been here for six years plus and counting.
@@zoliver9304 Oh so instead they should have left her on the street to die of starvation. Because that is much more humane. You are a genius.
@@astroknight8832 Lol well it’s true. You’re missing the point. Because people are delusional and lonely, this is why we have a over population of pets problem. Pets aren’t here to be our “buddies”.
PETA themselves are FOR euthanasia and against no-kill shelters. Euthanasia = humane in these situations. This is where we are at.
I've been Vegan for 15 months, I'm 53yrs old and have always only ever adopted dogs and cats, there's a real sense of doing something worthwhile in giving a needing animal a new permanent loving home.
That's amazing! I wish my dad was as open minded as you. Even though me and my brother both are vegan and have been for a long time, well my brother at least, he still refuses to even eat the vegan food we cook and only wants to eat dairy/meat foods.
@@lilsaam thats a shame, unfortunately a lot of people refuse to change, hopefully one day he'll see the light.
@Amy Leigh Yeah he is in good health though probably better than me tbh, he works out a lot and "need meat for protein" and all that. Refuses to watch documentaries I recommend to him or won't engage in discussion because he thinks I've been brainwashed by the "vegan propaganda". I wish he would but I don't think it'll happen, some people just refuse to change sadly.
@@lilsaam My hobby is bodybuilding and I eat 200g of protein a day as a vegan. :/
Well done! I am vegan for 6 months now after being vegetarian. I am the only vegan in my family. My kids are not and my parents think I am insane 😂. Btw I am already 52 so I thought too old for discussions concerning what I eat. I had a lot of pets and my cats were all rescues and so is my dog. We also had Guinea Pigs when my kids were small and they were from a family that wanted to get rid of them. I love animals
I will never buy an animal. Adoption is the ONLY way to go.
But, you have to buy the animal to adopt them? That's how our shelter works. You have to pay to cover some of the costs of jabs, healthcare, labour ect.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 are you serious????? 🙄🙄🙄 Don't act stupid, you know exactly what I mean.
And adoption doesn't only mean having to go to a shelter and paying a fee to take the animal. I have found animals out, alone, and I have kept them myself or found homes for them for free.
Your response makes you sound really stupid or proves you're being a rude condescending jerk
@@stacyflood8764 what about adoption of a omnivorous or carnivorous animal? By doing that you're still having to buy animal products to feed them, which vegans avoid doing to feed themselves.
amen!! I always adopt from rescue shelters where I can save them
@@michaelcolbourn6719 Seriously though, they're trying to feed cats a vegetable only diet which, to them, is not sustainable.
Adoption always, even if they are on their last legs every animal deserve a chance to be happy!
Yup, I prefer to give a home to elderly animals, especially rabbits, who need it.
@@melissatranfield4054 rabbits are food and very tasty
@The pigeon Weirdo bruh look it up
@The pigeon Weirdo that was made by peta their not going to tell the truth
@@justanormaldefaultpfp9309 another brainwashed toxic meat eater, great
this is why i'm hoping to adopt a few animals in need from shelters when i move out
I hope you are planning on a forever home, with years of commitment involved.
Same
@albert fish I think you may be misinformed when it comes to PETA. While many find their approach to certain social issues controversial, PETA specifically euthanizes sick/dying animals that are rejected by other shelters and would alternatively die a slow, more agonizing death. The truth is we do not enough resources to care for every sick animal that we come into contact with. Until we are able to reduce the amount of breeding and over populating of dogs and cats, this is the most viably ethical option. Also in regards to adopting, most vegans view it as giving these animals a second chance at life. Considering the other option would be euthanization most people would view this as the more ethical option.
@@andrewm1019 Well said Andrew, why wouldn't us vegans adopt knowing that the end game for that animal is otherwise euthenazies. This should not be a debate but rather a logical solution to a very big problem that's root cause has not yet been stopped. This is currently our best solution for helping the animals in this industry. 👍🏻🌱
Many shelters offer medical service and even special food if you take a really run down fellow...
just wanted to add that everything in this video (except for rates of overpopulation and euthanasia) also apply to small pets such as ferrets, hamsters, rats, rabbits who are all also produced in animal mills with very similar treatment. many of these pets also need homes and are up for adoption
Amanda Masucci facts!!!!!
I hate animal breeders, importers and pet shops that sell animals.
I agree! They are far more mistreated than dogs and cats imo cause they are brought for kids, stuffed into unsuitable cages and neglected. I have a free roam rescue rabbit and its been so nice to see her come out of her shell after years of improper care
@@WildWhispr Is your rabbit litter trained?
@@whosaidthat4299 Yes she is :) She was litter trained when we rescued her, but from what I hear rabbits naturally want to have a separate space to do their business in so its pretty easy
Everybody just wants a kitten/puppy to... there’s plenty of cats/dogs of all ages who need a home. Adopt don’t shop!
BS. Adopting in many cases is shopping.
@@RyanGBanister ¬ Adopting is most often done without money-for-profit, and is absent of unethical breeding.
Absolutely wrong.
@@RyanGBanister ¬ Great counter-argument. You have me completely convinced now.
You didn't make an argument, so no counter-argument was necessary. You are simply shitting on the animals with your lies.
I adopted a puppy from a shelter who didn’t have that good of a life before and now he is happy with me.
♥️♥️
I'm planning on getting black cats when I'm older because of how awful people can be to them
I got a black cat about six-seven years ago from a shelter, he was pretty shy and independent, my mom thought we should go to a different shelter. So glad I told my mom he was perfect.
Black cats are absolutely stunning
Black cats struggle in shelters
I've got black cat (amongst my 6) and she is a doll and the most enormous fun and needless to say I love her to bits.
🙌🏻
Animals shouldn't have price tags, they are not products. Period!
Yea exept if its cattle
@@justanormaldefaultpfp9309 Non-human animals shouldn't be properties at all, only companions with whom we live together in our homes. Cattle doesn't exist but in the minds of farmers and necrovores.
@@Harriemes bruh
Animals shouldn't be pets, either. That's the cause of all of this in the first place.
Aren't people who spend money on something more likely to care for it properly?
Here are a few areas of life in which we need to remove the profit motive: healthcare, prisons, the military, animal breeding
Education
true .
Animal breeding should never be an 'area of life' at all. The whole system of money, trade and profit is wrong anyway and should disappear too.
@@Harriemes the problem is that if you use capitalism this happens and you get screwed, and it you use communism you get instant tyranny and also get screwed,
Pick your Poison.
@@lor7780 No animal can consent to being bred for profit. There's no such thing as a "good" or "responsible" breeder because the act of breeding the animal at all is what's wrong. There's no right way to do it because it should not be done, period. Animals should either breed amongst themselves naturally in the wild OR in some rare cases of conservation, conservationists can help species conceive who are having issues. Dogs and cats CANNOT be morally bred because there are thousands and thousands of dogs and cats already alive that need homes and if they don't get one they'll be euthanized. Each new dog or cat that is bred to be sold is one more animal stopping a potential adoption.
There's nothing moral about profiting off of exploiting animals. No matter how nicely you exploit them, it's by definition exploitation. They do not have a choice in the matter. Just put yourself in the shoes of those dogs and cats for a moment. Would you like it if someone forced you to have sex and then took your children away from you to sell them? Would that be ok to do to a person? If not, what makes it ok to do it to an animal?
So sad 😔 I know far too many people that bought their pets. It’s so hard to see everyone talking about how cute they are. I just think of all the poor animals in the shelters left behind 😔
I can just see you sitting there moping like a baby when your friend is talking about how cute their kitten is. I'll bet you're a real fun likable person.
@@thumbwiz ¬ The dumbest people are often the loudest . . . Keep being loud & proud there Les!
@@Corvid_Moon will do.
Just because someone bought a dog instead of adopting doesn’t mean they’re bad people for leaving the animals in shelters behind... Are people who choose to have babies leaving children behind in adoption agencies?
@@mollyoxy people who want children should look into fostering and adoption too. Why make someone when there are kids who you can love and care for right now?
What's always bothered me even before I knew what veganism was is how our breeding of dogs basically make them deformed and decrease their quality of life dramatically... The english bulldog comes to mind, it can't even breath properly anymore, and somehow this is desirable?... Reminds me of the chickens in factory farming, very sad.
and pugs too, so sad
Yeah, and they say eugenics is bad but they're using on dogs because they think it "cute".
Agreed, it is abhorrent and is nothing but aesthetics for our satisfaction. A truly disgusting practice.
Nowadays dogs and cats especially the exotic ones are just a sign of STATUS SYMBOL. Just a few mnths ago I talked with my batchmate who then recently "bought(according to her)" a German Shepherd, I tried telling her the truth of the pet industry but she wasn't ready to understand, I tried telling her that YOU CAN "OWN THINGS", BUT YOU "CANNOT OWN LIVES". And the logic of 'Adopt don't shop' as India have plenty of streeties roaming and asking for a good life, but she got super angry at me and told that pls don't spoil the mood coz they were happy. Thnx ed that now I can send her this video, and try to tell her again. Thnx for the awesome content.
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Love from India🇮🇳💌
@Jonah Whale totally right. Indian pariahs are known to adjust in extreme climates, and we don't even have to pay ("buy")to adopt them from shelter homes unlike other foreign countries, we have them at every single doorsteps and they differ SOO much from dog to dog. I just love them, that's all I can say.
"Don't spoil this for me"
-carnists
This is a greatly important topic that needs to be discussed more frequently within vegan circles. Our (justified) focus in the welfare of farm animals should not cast a shadow onto other issues, like the welfare of pets or non-domesticated animals.
I think it’s a bit of a controversial topic in the vegan community. I watch a lot of vegan UA-cam and I’ve seen multiple vegan channels argue that it’s more ethical to euthanize cats than to adopt cats due to their need for a carnivorous diet or the need for intensive vet monitoring on a vegan diet with the option of switching to a carnivorous diet depending on test results. I’m on the pro cat side of things, but I don’t know that I could justify my position with logic and reasoning.
@@laurap8529 I’ve wondered what the “right” decision is. I’m vegan, but I have 2 cats and a leopard gecko that I got before I became vegan. I obviously feed them what they need to be healthy (a carnivorous diet), but I often wonder if this is the “right” decision.
I love them, and I always end up justifying it to myself by remembering that I value them as members of my family, and I would go to great lengths to care for my family.
Anyone have any thoughts? It’s a hard question IMO
Even most pet owners rarely love their animals genuinely. Most often it's more that people like how pets make them feel, rather than they have the pets best interest at heart (or we'd have way less pets in the first place). And honestly, I personally do not think it is vegan to have pets, adopted or not. Especially not carnivores or exotics. There is something quite sinister to breed animals so we can feed other animals we have bred in masses just so we don't feel lonely. Obviously this is a bit of a controversial issue - and I'd never make anyone give up their pets or whatever, of course not. But the whole 'pet business' needs to reconsidered.
In the end, if you are consequently with adopt - don't shop - you will eventually end up with a petless society
@@heelercs It's not a hard question IMO. Don't force your lifestyle on others.
@@laurap8529 Yes, I would definitely agree with you on the fact that it is a topic that demands us to be openminded and willing to fall into controversy. I do think that its controversy stems from very similar reasons to that of animal agriculture (tradition, culture, etc.), even if the reasons are not as clear to the naked eye (due to most pets not being treated in such detrimental ways as farmed animals are, and their meaningful contributions to our lives).
I've read a bit about cats in relation with veganism too, as well as the ethics of owning them. I don't think the euthanasia argument would work unless you consider yourself an antinatalist or a pro-mortalist, due to the fact that if the euthanization of one species is seen as a reduction of suffering, then the euthanization of all species would be the ultimate solution to all suffering. I take it that you reject this argument because you continue owning cats, so that's out of the question. Knowing this, then it would seem that the best way in which you could reduce animal suffering is to not partake in the breeding of cats personally, either adopting or rescuing them. If you already do this, I'd argue that you're maximally reducing harm in accordance to your beliefs.
In any other video I'd try to present to you the arguments for antinatalism and why I take it to be the most moral course of action, but I don't want to depart from the topic at hand or sound pretentious.
I would love a video from Ed eventually on pet foods. That one is highly controversial and infected subject among pet-owners.
i’ve been wondering about that as well
Me too.
X2
Me too! My cats love tuna and raw chicken but I feel so guilty buying it because I know those products came from factory farms. Same with the ingredients in their cat food too. But I know they can’t live off plant food :/
@@penguinshearts86 well they have to accept plant food then.
My cat is a rescue. Her previous owners who live in my town got dogs that barked at her constantly. She was so scared that she would stay on top of the kitchen cupboards and even started doing the toilet there. I went and got her and now she's my spoilt flatmate. I wish I could rescue all animals.
I adopted my cat when he was eight year old. Nobody wanted him I guess, wasn't even vegan back then. He is almost sixteen now and happier than ever 🥰
I regret not telling my friends in the past that they shouldn’t breed their animals. Thanks for speaking up Ed. I will too!
I got my cat from a cat home that takes in strays, abused and cats who’s owners died. I would never buy from a breeder
this is heartbreaking. even the animals people “love” are abused, neglected, and killed because of their actions :(
My cat was rescued and she is the best part of my life. She was found on the streets before being rescued which means someone got her as a kitten and quickly abandoned her as she was 1.5 when she came into my life. There are so many pets in need of good homes already.
She might have wondered away from home on her own.
I have five rescue dogs. I never thought that they would be “normal” you can tell they have experienced emotional trauma but with a lot of love we have made each other better. They are the reason I am vegan and plant based.
Then you also have to care and be aware of what you feed your dogs. If they eat meat your carbon footprint is way higher than of a household full of humans eating meat.
I also turned vegan for my late dog. I looked at him a said I can do better. Been plant based ever since, 7 years later.
Great video Ed, just a couple of suggestions.
1. The title "Why it's not ethical to buy pets", maybe more suitable as most people still see the vegan label representing something too fringe and hence something to avoid.
2. Using the term selfish alone to explain why people buy pets doesn't go far enough. It needs to be stated also that in a system where people have to use any means necessary to survive hence profit from, this industry is to be expected. So it's not just selfishness, it's how the system of capitalism operates. If people's needs were met, the propensity to exploit for personal gain would barely be nonexistent.
But by definition it is selfish. They do not ever have to do it but they choose to, at the expensive of others only to benefit themselves. There are lot of things people do for money but that does not mean they are ethical
@@kinkydaddy3147 Regarding the breeders, I agree, it is selfish but that’s not the only thing at play here. Don’t get me wrong, I do think people should be called out and made to see the error of their ways. But it must be realised that the mechanism of money has a built-in propensity to forgo the well-being of others. This has been demonstrated in a number of studies.
“Higher social class predicts increased unethical behaviour” 2012
“Having less giving more the influence of social class on pro-social behaviour” 2012
“How wealth reduces compassion” 2012
@@kinkydaddy3147 As for the people buying the animals, I think a lot of it is down to ignorance which is good that this video was made. Most people are stuck in a short-term localised view of reality and they see violence as a singular act, not a process. I can imagine people trying to justify saying “if I don’t buy them, then they will live miserable lives”. It reminds me when I heard someone say “if I choose not to fly, that plane was going to fly without me anyway”. It’s the short-term localised view that paralyses society and we need to recognise this and put a stop to the cycle of violence.
@@David_Dann yes but it's selfish without a doubt and it seems you agree that much. Now you can figure out how to find a good job or attempt to change capitalism but there is no justification for hurting or killing animals or humans along the way. Anyway there are far worse things that can happen than to be called selfish, if we can't even use extremely mild language to describe unjust actions then what can we do. Names never killed anyone
@@kinkydaddy3147 I agree, there is no real justification for breeding but their need to survive and do well in this type of society overrides their ethics, which is more often subconscious. This is a major point that should be in the video.
I work in the pet grooming industry and the amount of sheer neglect I see forced on the puppy that someone spent thousands of dollars on is overwhelming. People are proud that they own a American Kennel Club certified dog but can’t even do something as simple as basic grooming. We need to stop thinking animals are here for us and start thinking what we can do for them. Thank you Ed for your never ending passion. I and so many others are right behind you. A Vegan world for all kind 💚
I have a genuine question. Even if people adopt pets, when they buy pet food, pet medicine, veterinary care, etc. doesn't their money go to support the longevity of the pet industry? Does anybody working in the pet industry imagine a future world where there are no pets whatsoever?
WORD! Animals are here with us, not for us.
@@mistahkurtz2351 I adopted my first ever pet (dog) 5 years ago. I was 56 and he was 3 and abandoned by his owner after falling off the back of his truck and dragged along by the lead. His injuries healed and hopefully the mental scars. I am pleased that we have given him a loving home these last 5 years. So many dogs and cats get a very good deal out of their relationship with humans despite some horror stories. But there is no comparison between them and the treatment we mete out to chickens, pigs etc.
People go small in our day and age, "I am going to rescue a dog when I'm older", while I am over here like, "I am going to rescue tens of thousands of chickens when I'm older"
Just like slavery, child labour and other messed up things I hope these too do come to an end
This video comes on point! Just rescued a 3-year-old French bulluahua and this answers a lot of my questions! Thanks Ed.
The fellow dog in my family adopted us! We always keep our garden gate open. One day she came in and never left. The gate is still always open.
@Tiago Salema i just lost a couple of brain cells reading ur comment
@@haltestelle793 that would mean you had at least 2 brain cells before reading it
Did you have dog for dinner? 😁
Great video Ed.
Sad thing is, people do buy them, and sell them as ethically bred animals(which is rarely true).
You make videos of topics few think about, this is great to bring awareness of such important topics. ❤️
Your work is great.
I’m hoping on rescuing animals including farm animals. I can’t wait ❤️🌱
Adopt and foster! (fostering stops shelters from getting full leading to needing to make space aka kill dogs that people don't want)
Foster parents are truly amazing people, I have a great deal of respect for them. I'd get too attached and want to keep all the babies in my care.
I have photos of my little girl in her foster mum's arms before I adopted her and she looks so happy. She was in care a long time being an older dog but she was in great hands, the pics show her smooching her foster mum, so cute 😋
No matter how many that you rescue, the breeders will just make more. If you rescue them with greater intensity, they will produce them with greater intensity.
Thank you so much for this video Ed! It is such an important topic that so many people know nothing about! Will definitely share.
Found my best friend on the side of the highway, over 5 years ago.
when will the day finally come where will stop treating animals as objects.
I never understood why people would want to interfere a natural process , but oh here we are, and just as always it is causing more harm then good.
I am so happy with my two kitten that I adopted. It is much more fulfilling knowing I have given two beautiful souls a loving warm home.
👍 #BoycottMeat and all other animal products, cruelty and exploitation in any way possible!
This has been made easier for anyone who wants to rescue a dog or cat. We now have meatless alternatives which are nutritionally complete and human grade - that is vitally important.
I rescued my little dog 6 yrs ago and gradually transitioned her to a plant based diet. She's now a senior and our vet is very happy with her health.
For anyone who disagrees, Earthling Ed did a podcast exposing the pet food industry which isn't regulated. Knowing the ingredients it's no wonder cancers in pets is on the rise.
They also make dogs and cats cannibals. Euthenased pets end up in pet food.
For non-vegans, this is important information for your pets too.
www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-disclosure/ep-20-can-vegans-have-pets-nedBvVUNIYa/
Careful what you say. there are animal byproducts in many things you use every day.
@@thumbwiz Careful what you consume!
@@missym7245 @Missy M I totally agree! 🖖
@@thumbwiz Did you listen to the podcast?
I don't call cancerous tissue and euthenased pets as byproducts.
I literally rescued a 3-year-old little doggo 7 days ago from a local shelter 🐶 The previous owner pretended he found him attached to a tree in the woods just so he wouldn’t pay for abandonment costs (60€).
I had so many questions ... Thanks for all the answers!
Why wouldn't you give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the person who dropped the dog off at the shelter wasn't the "previous owner".
@@thumbwiz this hypothesis is possible.
That’s why Belgian law leaves owners 10 days to ask for their pets back. Since this is the biggest shelter in town there is no way he could miss it. If you don’t ask for your dog back in that time, you’re probably not the best pick.
Also, the guy is known for mistreatment, frequent abandonments and is actually blacklisted from the shelter.
My dog is a rescue and is the favorite among the extended family, despite their dogs all being bought from breeders. Rescues are special.
I only have wild pets - In my english garden the pigeons know me because I rescued one from a cat - the seagulls know me because I took one of their young to the vet - I have frogs that spawn each year blue tits that nest and black birds that sing - when you stop eating creatures they will start talking to you
I am so glad you did a video on this issue. It is so difficult to get people to understand or care, (Just as it is with all areas of animal cruelty). I cry on a daily basis for all the suffering animals endure at our hands. I feel like I'm going to die of a broken heart one day.
Great video as always!
Unfortunately on the subject of shelters. I myself got in touch with the CPL about a year ago because I saw a 'tortie' who was looking for a home. Even though I live in a ground floor flat, with a large communal garden and my cats live on a average 15 to 18 years, I'm at home all day, have lived with cats for my entire 66 years and already had 5 cats I was not deemed good enough for the CPL because I happen to live near a High Street - they did not even bother to do a 'home check' nothing. Would add that I have heard similar stories from other people. Many of the shelters in the UK make it so difficult that most folks just give up. One of my neighbours, a young woman has been looking to foster for the past 2 years - she's still waiting.
I love what you do and thank you for doing it.
I have adopted a cat I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a pet to rescue them form a cat and dog rescue place every animal deserves to feel happy and loved
"Every animal" includes those in the pet store as well. Shelter animals had their chance, and messed it up.
@@thumbwiz but by not buying breeder animals it will stop or reduce breeding of animals I definitely think that those breeded animals deserve just as much love as any other animals but the sad truth is most of them end up in rescue centres and not in loving homes
And also no animals have messed up.
@@rachaelz5480 It was a sarcastic joke. ALL animals deserve love, not just shelter animals.
@@thumbwiz yeah completely agree I love animals so much pigs and cats are my favourite animals what about u ?(but all are amazing)
do you know of any ways to buy exotic animals (aka red pandas raccoons ferrets and things like that as i really would like to purchase one in the future)
Hey Ed! I’m vegetarian but want to be vegan so much! How can I persuade my dad to let me (im only 14)
Update: today my family had pizza for dinner and when he asked which ones we wanted I chose a vegan pizza!!
Erin Ha Good luck. Hope you get there.
Just say that your vegan and hes gonna have to deal with it it's your life he'll come around
Learn to cook
Dont eat until he gives you vegan food
Just tell him he´s an evil psychopath murderer, and then ask him to buy you some salad
So much respect for you. You're doing an amazing job for our whole planet, and all of us earthlings. How can we help you?
My cat brought me on the right path! Rip Big Tiger!
As the manager of an animal shelter and a vegan - thank you so very much for this video. I hope many people watch it and decide to rather adopt than to buy from a breeder!
I fully agree adopt don't shop. One challenge is that shelters can be very strict about who can adopt (e.g. show you will never have to leave the dog alone), whereas shoppers face no such barriers. My parents had to really struggle to adopt their staffies- some would give up!
Very true Ed. Thank you for this wonderful content.
My cat showed up on an exterior wall during a rainstorm. He was attracted to the light. I searched for his siblings and found none. He was about five weeks old, soaked and shivering. I stayed up with him all night and took him to the vet the next day. He was an abandoned feral cat. I took him home and did my best to pull him through his tough start in life. Four years later, he wrestles with my senior citizen cat and considers my shepherd cross dog his sister. Adopt, don’t shop and if someone chooses you, give them a great and neutered life.
I have to thank you for revealing the dark truth everytime
I adopted my pup Molly 5 years ago. She came up to New England from North Carolina. The first time our family looked into her eyes we knew she was the one. She’s a crazy girl. She’s a boxer black lab and pit bull mix. I vividly remember getting into heated argument with some asshole at my hs, that “shelter dogs are gross” and refused to believe that full bred animals are usually produced from incest or forcibly bred. I highly recommend everyone adopt, AND DONT SHOP! I guarantee you, you will not regret it.
jeez we have so far to go if this is still legal...
I get my rescue pet soon. During the lockdown a few shelters in my city (Paris, France) asked the public to come into the shelters and rescue a pet. I thought his was very cool! 😊
Thank you!
You should make a video about small animals! The horrible abuse of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles and other small pets from the pet industry is really terrible, and many people have absolutely no idea
Yes!
Rodents? You have to be f*cking kidding me. So if there´s a rodent infestation in your home, you´re gonna adopt the rats and love them? Lmafo what´s next, cockroaches?
@@johnbenson4927 My good sir... Have you ever heard of a hamster or guinea pig? Lmfao
@@jaded161 You didn´t answer the question
Great video. Broke my heart. Any who breeds or thinks of "shopping" should watch this.
I agree with you. No one is saying breeders don’t care about their animals and no one is saying they just do it for the money; I certainly am not saying that.
I 100% believe many if not most of them do care a lot. The point is that breeding is why so many cats and dogs die in shelters and why people who breed and buy bred dogs and cats should watch this and it would benefit all the stray and shelter animals if they redirected that care for the animals who are already alive and suffering, versus the ones who are not suffering and who haven’t been bred or born yet.
This should be titled "why no one should buy a pet"...
He wanted to show his combative attitude against meat eaters, you know.
You do have to buy pets from the shelter. There's an adoption charge in order to pay for the cost of housing the pet.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 Indeed the title is a loaded question that includes the annoying assumption "vegans don't buy pets".
But I think it doesn't matter for now that you say "buy pets", and Fabio Fang pointed the part "vegans" out from the underlying whole assumption. That aggressive title makes this video stop being open and receptive to meat eaters.
@@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 As someone who runs a cat shelter, i assure you that an adoption fee is not the same as buying a pet. You can offer me whatever amount of money you want, if you don't make a process or don't qualify, I'm not giving you a cat. In a petshop you give money for a pet, and they don't get to ask questions or express concerns.
@@fangfabio In my country, it's illegal to sell a pet like that. Only breeders and shelters can give pets. And then most breeders have a license so they have to ask about the conditions the animal is going to.
Thank you for this Ed! I always adopt my animals from a shelter, I always get the animals that look like they need severe care, love and a home.
Thank you for what you do ed :)
Thank you so much!! This is so desperately needed and often least considered!
If you don’t have time for a rescue pet, YOU DON’T HAVE TIME FOR ANY PET.
I bought my rabbit Rosie just over a year ago from a small breeder (which is something I no longer believe in) and I adopted my other rabbit Derek from the rspca (they are both spayed and neutered). I love them both so much and wouldn’t give them up for the world. From now on I will only ever adopt animals, it’s sad how people don’t realise how cruel breeding industries are.
My dog became blind a few years ago. No way I’d give him up though. He needs me and I need him.
We had a blind dog too. Although it happened gradually. Just don't move your furniture around! Hehe
Thanks for this great video!!! Hopefully this will bring awareness to "pet lovers" and stop buying...
I've always seen buying pets as slavery, claiming the entirety of a life and using them as entertainment
Thank you for addressing this issue! I try to talk people out of buying pets, but they always insist it's a "reputable breeder!" I really think people would change their ways on this issue if they knew these were facts about breeders, and not just my opinion. I will definitely share this video
The saddest thing is knowing people who just haven’t desexed their animal companions and each year they willingly send the offspring to shelters! Adopt, don’t shop!
16 rescued cats with very sad stories....Recently one of our first rescue passed away from breast cancer.
Ed, please make a video about the moral implications of buying animal based food for your pets and what options there are for both dogs and cats. I may adopt a dog later on but want to know if there are affordable and viable food options. If there’s already a video like this please someone let me know. Thanks
There's another aspect that I haven't seen many vegans consider. All pet-related expenses (e.g. food, medicine, veterinary care, etc.) all goes to the pet industry.. Do you think the pet industry want to become obsolete in the future? Of course not.. so the industry at large will still support breeders.
@@lor7780 agreed. I’m vegan all the way, but it fills me with so much sadness when I see vegan activists feeding their carnivorous animals plants. Ah, ok, all of a sudden facts and logic don’t matter when they want them to fit their personal agenda?
I love my rescued adopted 1 1/2 year old Labrador Retriever Shadow. He brings so much joy to me and my husband.
What about feeding your pet? Cats are natural carnivores. Why would I own a cat, to feed it meat? Is it appropriate to own a pet, just to make more animals be born and die in slaughterhouses in order to feed your beloved one? These are the thoughts that keep me away from owning a pet, despite really wanting one.
We feed our Dog Vegan protein (Lentils, Soya mince, ect), She's Healthy and Happy. As for Cats, I'm not sure.
Vegans who are too stupid to feed an animal what it needs shouldn't have an animal. You probably shouldn't have kids either, wouldn't want to spread those genes.
There are vegan cat foods and supplements around for decades. While controversial it's possible to feed cats food with a complete vegan formula. I use vegan cat and dog food for over ten years.
I adopted a cat from a shelter in July this year. He hadn't had a great time so he avoided us for a time. Now he has as much love for us as we him I feel. I was in foster care as a child so I felt you have to adopt. Give these animals the chance like I should of had. They deserve the same love
Great video, but the title seems a bit odd? Maybe a better title would be: "Why you should adopt a pet" or "Why you shouldn't support pet breeders"
yeah, i feel like if i share this most people will ignore it purely based on the fact it says vegan in the title 🙃
@@shohanwilks yeah exactly
@@shohanwilks the perception of veganism isnt really eds fault though so
@@shohanwilks I agree, it's embarrassing to be vegan and nobody takes you seriously. Especially when you're trying to force your opinion on them and they couldn't care less about it.
@@dazey8706 You're right. It's the fault of vegans who think they're better than ordinary likable people, and try to force their lifestyle on them.
I just found your channel! I honestly love watching your videos and I like the ethics that are involved and it really gets me thinking. I never knew that cat and dogs mills existed and this kind of practice is absolutely horrifying.
Just remember that not every country has the same problems as USA and UK, etc. In Norway, for example, when a dog needs rehoming, it usually gets a good home. There are basically no unwanted dogs suffering here.
[X] DOUBT
@@katakis1 There are rehoming centers, but I have never heard of a kill shelter here.
You are killing it!!!
Thank you, Ed 🙂
So sad, always rescue 💓 always have always will x
How can you feed them meat if you're a vegan?
@@ster2600 some animals can live a happy healthy life without meat. Cats cannot, cats require meat to survive unlike us.
@Raven • google "Bramble dog world record". You might be surprised that a dog on a plant-based diet held the Guinness World Record for being the world's oldest dog at the time.
@@hannahlowe6454 Don't dogs also require meat to be healthy?
@@lilsaam nope, see above comment ^
Important video that people should watch. One thing I would say, sometimes I feel like some own a pet for the wrong reasons. Which I think is part of the problem which is people seeing them as just pets.. I'm also concerned with the various lockdowns increasing these issues especially when they return to a normal day in their life. What will happen then? I've had 2 rescue dogs and would definitely recommend it. You may come across some troubled dogs but they deserve happiness to. They aren't a cool collection to have, they are family. If you are looking into getting an animal please do your research first! Its a commitment!
If my wife and I could afford the $300/month charge for housing animal companions in our condo we would adopt yesterday.
That's crazy. Can you change apartment?
@@d.6832 We're holding out until we can buy a home which should be this year.
I absolutely love the breadth of this footage selection. If you are doing all this editing by your lonesome, Ed, that makes me respect you even more than the huge amount I already do. Thank you for your persistence in speaking about the lives of our fellow cohabitants, domestic or otherwise!
Just want to highlight something real quick:
"between 4000 and 8000 dogs and cats are euthanised in the US each day"
Thank you for great the video, Ed
Even more babys get aborted every year but I dont hear you folks cry about that. Either all life is sacred or none.
@@calistafalcontail until all rape, miscarriages, and ectopic preganancies stop... you are making a false equivelant comparison
Yay! So glad you made this.
They talk a lot these days about how covid has impacted friendships when it comes to positions on mask use and distancing. This has become true for me in recent years regarding friends and even my favorite sibling buying bred pets instead of adopting. I just don't see the person in the same light if they've paid money for a specially created animal rather than saving one that already lives and breathes and needs a home.
Adopt dont shop!
Should we just slaughter all the animals in the shops, since it's not ethical to buy them?
@@thumbwiz no, the stores should stop buying animals from puppy mill type places. If the stores can't sell the animals, they'll probably end up dumped in shelters anyway. That's on the stores, not on vegans.
@@thumbwiz of course not 🤦♀️ but by showing that less people are interested in shopping animals, there won't be as much animals bread into existence
@@thumbwiz we shuld bann breeding
Love this video Ed!! It’s so wonderful! I just wish you talked about the other pets that get abused also like Bettas, Hamsters and Budgies
Like the vid
I’m so thankful we have a person like you to represent our movement. Thanks, Ed
Breeding animals of any kind for profit should be illegal. It's morally no less atrocious than "breeding humans" for profit.
lol no, human breeding is so much worse than animal breeding :')
@o o Animals cannot comprehend pain to the same extent to that of a human. A human has a far greater emotional capability than any other animal and therefore it is worse to keep a human in that kind of environment than an animal
I’ve got a rescue Saluki/greyhound mix puppy and I love him to bits♥️ adopt don’t shop🙏🏼🙏🏼
People shouldn't own pets.
What´s wrong with having your own property? That´s what animals are, after all.
@@johnbenson4927 Like lions, seals and honey badgers?
Or people?
Unfortunately the world would be a less than stellar place as pets often bring about someone's best behavior and allow people to live less selfishly because they gain compassion and companionship.
@@angela_somanythings5670 An utterly unprovable assertion. Very easy to provide counter-examples.
I fucking love how informative Ed's videos are and because they're so eloquent its so easy to learn from it.
How do you feed a cat or a dog if you are a vegan?
Exactly, that's what I'd like to know to.
@@VicVinegar666 You give them broccoli because if you buy meat you´re going to Hell
Grain free is best, then know you're giving a pet a good life and making yours a bit brighter in exchange for buying the healthiest pet food possible, animal products sourced from thoughtful companies who put health over quantity. Then you feed them. Vegan since 2012 but we never got RID of our Cat. That would be insanely mean. She is 16 now. We also got a cat for our son who was lonely during homeschool. No shame. Just try to change the world with the majority of your shopping choices. Same thing but now you have a carnivore to keep fed...
@@johnbenson4927 was a vegan mean to you once? You seem to be commenting everywhere here, spreading misinformation..
There are vegan dog and cat food available, if you have the income to afford them. They provide all the nutrients they need . Remember, just like us, animals needs specific nutrients, not specific foods. It doesn’t matter where the nutrients come from.
Awesome spotlight on dog breeders & the pet trade. TYSM for showing misinformed or uneducated people the reality of how animals suffer due to greed. Take care, Stay safe & Best wishes Ed ❤
I disagree with the "owning" of pets. "Rescuing" pets still contributes to the market for pets. No matter how many that you "rescue," the mills will just make more. Let's be honest. Most pet "rescues" are still paid for so there is an actual market for rescue pets. What we need is an 80%tax on all pet sales and to use that revenue for free spay and neuter for all pets. Ideally, we just need to make pet mills illegal, but that would be harder to do. While I'm on the subject, carnivorous pets need to eat other animals which then enters another level of animal abuse. What do you feed your carnivorous pet???? Dig deeper. Why do you need to "own" a pet? Is it because you need a distraction? Is it because you don't feel complete in your life? Is it because you need to prove to other people that you are a good person? Is it to prove to yourself that you are worthy of love? Is it because you are insecure and need a creature to give you unconditional love? Are any of those selfish reasons worthy to contribute to the suffering of millions of pets?
I take it from your comment you never had a pet?
@@alphaess1 I had a dog. I love the idea of having (owning) (rescuing) (being the hero) (getting unconditional love) Pets. It is just that I am mature enough to recognize the difference between my immediate short term desires and what is objectively right (good) (unselfish).
Exactly. The real way to stop animal abuse and street animals is TO NOT GET ANY KIND OF ANIMAL!
@@lioness2000how so? I've had pets for most of my life (guinea pigs & rabbits, so vegan pets if you will). I feed them, I clean after them, I take them to the vet when they're sick and I make sure all their needs are met. I don't see how this is abusing them or any of their fellow animals. I don't feel like I'm owning them, either. They're my best friends and from an objective standpoint, I get the short end of the stick in our relationship. In this year alone I had vet bills over 2,000 euros. Just atm one of my guinea pigs is sick and I have to look after them 24/7, which led to me not sleeping 3 nights in a row. I spend 2 hours a day just cleaning after them, another hour to get and prepare food for them. I'd do everything for them and yeah, they make me happy and maybe I'm selfish for having them but they're happy here & i doubt they'd be better off not being alive in the first place.
I genuinely don't see any problems with having pets. As long as you don't support breeders.
I never contributed to the suffering of millions of pets, that's just utter nonsense.
I'm wondering, are you against having your own kids as well? Cause that, too, causes a lot of suffering (climate change etc), is selfish in the same way as getting pets & there are so many children in the foster care system wanting a home.
But I figure you're against having children of youre own cause you're saying "we're not supposed to get any kind of animal"?? That's a bizarre kind of world view, and I don't even want kids.
@@feemuller7107 You are still imprisoning those animals in your home. I don´t care how much you spend time or money, it´s still wrong. The animals don´t care how much you spent money on them. Would you like to live in closed space, had someone else to choose for you what you eat and when, choose for you what activities you had and if you get to roam free for some time? Didn´t think so. If your pet is sick it´s suffering, and your selfish needs to own animals causes that suffering. Just imagine what you could have spent that 2000 euros for, what a waste to use it to useless animal.
Having kids is completely different discussion, but yes adopting a child is better than having your own. You can´t however compare having kids to having pets, it´s an insult to children. Pets are like hobby, while we all have been kids at some point, we need kids so that the society will keep rolling and at some point kids grow up and start to take care of themselves. Yes, having kids is selfish from some point of view, but without kids, our world would fall apart. Who would do all the work and take care of old people when we grow too old to do anything? Answer to that, if you think having kids is selfish. Besides, many other things cause pollution (For example dog poop and cat litter, and pets are not even essentials!)
Having kids is not for everyone, including me. But to say that no one should have kids, proves you are narrow-minded and naive. Pets are waste of resources, money and energy. Pets do nothing for the society and they will never grow up and start to look after themselves. Pets will live their lives just because people want to own something cute and alive. But you don´t own kids, and parent want to see their kids grow up, become their own person and build a life they want.
Great insight, thanks!
Adopt, don’t shop!!!
That's right, lets just have all the shop animals slaughtered, since we're not supposed to buy them.
@@thumbwiz if we demand less of them, those businesses will go out of business.
@@AmandaConover It's nice to dream.
My dog Milli is a rescue from spain where she lived in the streets, was regularly beaten by the ppl there, lost all her puppies and would have been gotten killed some day. When she arrived she had super thin fur and her tail was super thin. Now she is living with us since 12 years and is a fluffy fur ball. Also you can really feel how thankful she is. She is always so happy and so patient and calm and cuddly ❤️ i love her like sister and am terrified of the day she'll pass away but till then i embrace every moment with her.
Any arguments against absolute egoism? My brother says he just always does what's the best for him...basically everyone does. Vegans are only vegan because they'd have a guilty conscience if they ate meat, so by being vegan they just feel better. Well my brother doesn't. Is there anything that could prove him wrong?
Punch him in the face
Vegans are vegan because they do all they can to avoid animal cruelty and exploitation. Veganism is not a diet.
😂😂you cant 😭I died
@@jonjonwp But why should we decrease the amount of suffering? As long as you don't feel bad about it?
@@carlottaschmitz3441 I expect wife beaters say the same. Hopefully there are not too many people with psychopathic traits.
Just wanted to say that I have watched a lot of your videos, and am so inspired. By exposing the cruel truths of the world you are changing people's lives, and the world in general little by little. The world needs more people with your compassion and understanding. I never leave UA-cam comments, even after watching easily over 10,000 videos. But I just had to thank you for doing what you do. You are nothing short of a true hero for planet Earth and all of it's beautiful creatures.