Sadly, it's not the case at all... According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the first of principle for developing and evaluating animal welfare policies is: The responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as companionship, food, fiber, recreation, work, education, exhibition, and research conducted for the benefit of both humans and animals...
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So the primary duty a vet has is to insure the "use of animals for human purposes"... As tasty sausages, burgers and nuggets, as furs, leather and woolen mittens, as circus amusements, rodeo toys, as greyhound racers, as zoo specimens, as Triple Crown contenders, as carriage pullers, as 4H spectacles, as hunting things, as dog, cat and pony show personalities... Oh yeah, and as guinea pigs -
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And you know... That got me to thinking about my recent visit to the vet. Imagine how uncomfortable I was when my vegan dog Backus was being treated by a leather wearing, meat eating vet??? It just doesn't make sense that I should be supporting someone who's in a profession to help animals... Yet condones and patronizes the institutions that needlessly kills them! Nope. No sense at all.
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That's why I'm firing my vet... It may take some time... But I really don't want an animal "doctor" who eats and wears animals too! I'll be searching my area - I know there must be vegan vets around. And I really think it's the consistent thing to do if I am to advocate for animal rights... I certainly want a vet that does the same! 
Fire your omnivore vet! Hire a vet who really respects and values the lives of their patients --- Employ a vegan instead!
Fire your omnivore vet! Hire a vet who really respects and values the lives of their patients --- Employ a vegan instead! 
55 comments:
Hope you don't find one, we don't need any more idiots like the vegans.
Ah... But obviously I disagree! And being that it's my blog and my money --- I get to "vote" on what ever I choose!
Thanks for dropping by. And you're welcome anytime to unload some of your frustrations. Goodness knows it's poisonous to carry around this kind of hateful baggage!
good day ;)
I'd never even thought about that before, Bea! Excellent idea and I'm on it for my kitties :)
My vet is a HUNTER but he 100% behind me feeding my dogs a vegan diet. Weird.
Hi RocketQueen! I'm at an advantage here... All vet visits are up to date. It might be a little challenging to find a vegan vet, but I am determined! I wish you luck on your efforts as well! ;)
Amanda - That is an odd story... A vet whose a hunter - Glad he approves of your vegan diet for your dogs. Who knows - maybe he'll catch on that it might actually be a better way? :)
Probably Amanda's vet didn't want to even attempt to disagree with her and lose her business because he knows how they "are".
You know Anonymous my EX-vet must have felt the same, cause there was never any disapproval of my dog's vegan diet either... The way a vet looses "business" is to loose patients - Obviously this isn't a concern for "vegan dogs".
see ya!
Yeah right whatever you say, lol
How about --- Whatever ANYONE says that is reasonable and truthful - This way we are all valued for the sense we make... ;)
I haven't heard anything reasonable on this blog yet, all a bunch of "don't eat meat, dairy or any animals products" there isn't anything reasonable about that and antibiotics in milk is a total lie.
You know what??? Then don't read my blog! Go somewhere else!
Please... If you ever thought you were obligated to visit here - Consider yourself released (again).
Get your own blog... I promise not to troll --- ta, ta!
ha ha, ta ta what grade are you in, beginners??
Wow, I never really thought about this (probably because I don't have any pets). But, this is an excellent point. And I LOVE that t-shirt!!
Good vets do eat their patients because they are animals not humans, there is nothing wrong with eating animal.
Hello Powered by Produce! I like the shirt too - Thinking maybe I should order one for my next vet-to-be...
I thought this idea might work too on nearly all my future professional contracts. I'm sure there are "vegan" electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc. If they are doing the work as good as or better - I surely would rather support someone whose values are in line with mine...
Anyway - something to think on! :)
Oh, and please forgive "Anonymous" - This person has been trolling my blog for over a month... I'm hoping if I leave their inane comments up it might discredit irrationality that much quicker! ;)
Yeah leave all your irrational comments up, good idea, but leave the truth up too, thank you
The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men." ~Emile Zola
It’s a matter of taking the side of the weak against the strong, something the best people have always done.
~Harriet Beecher Stowe
Compassion is ethical intelligence: it is the capacity to make connections and the consequent urge to act to relieve the suffering of others. Like cognitive intelligence. it is suppressed by the practice of eating animals. ~Dr.Will Tuttle
Dr. Will Tuttle is an animal rights person, enough said
Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.
— Thomas A. Edison
Schopenhauer was certainly a lifelong pessimist: “[Our] existence is certainly to be regarded as an error or mistake, to return from which is salvation” (Schopenhauer [1819], volume II, p. 605]. Schopenhauer believed that it would have been better if the earth were "as lifeless as the moon". He was "a lonely, violent and unbefriended man, who shared his bachelor's existence with a poodle. ... [He was of the view that the world was simply an idea in his head] a mere phantasmagoria of my brain, that therefore in itself is nothing." (Chambers
"We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of
animals. In a world older and more complete than ours they move
finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have
lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."
~Henry Beston
Henry Beston was a naturalist, not a vegan
thomas Edison was refering to people, human slavery.
Also Harrriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, was refering to not only slaves but also women.
Harriet Beecher Stowe was refering to slavery and womens rights, not pig or cow, or sheep rights. She wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin.
So what if Beston wasn't vegan --- It has NOTHING to do with what his quote implies!
And regarding the rest... Anonymous is your life that narrow? Are you bound in such a box that you can't engage in any abstract thought?
Liberate and extend yourself! Look beyond the concrete wall you have confined yourself to! The fundamental wrong of exploiting others is the same - to ALL who can suffer from domination. It doesn't matter ones age, race, color, religion, sex or species ---We ALL value our lives EQUALLY - None has the right to frivolously steal that life! It's called JUSTICE - And it applies to ALL who may benefit from it.
We've been round and round on this principle for the longest time... You've given me absolutely no valid response except that "cows, pigs, etc. aren't human". (blah, blah)... But you've done nothing to rationally "prove" why we should harm others - needlessly... Absolutely ZIP!
Once again I ask:
Where is your justification to harm an other (whether black, red, white, young, old, man, woman, child, cow, deer, rabbit or bird)without "cause"??? Where is your justification to harm without need"???
But there is no "need" for "food" that requires bloodshed. None at all! Else how would I be alive? Or millions of others who eat a plant based diet?
Unless you are stranded somewhere -without other choices... "Food" - is not a justification to kill... Sorry.
This continues to be one of the most thought provoking posts ever. I am amazed that there is so little controversy about whether veterinarians should be vegan or not. I wonder if the lack of notice has to do with the blanket of disconnect that our culture so effectively induces regarding other animals and our relations with them? Excellent post, thank you.
If you stop arguing, it's no longer an argument. It's an idiot ranting to themself ;) Just a tip for your blogging future. Some people have closed minds and hearts (and sometimes no brains).
Well thanks Anonymous - I sure will keep that in mind. Although it's often difficult to "let things go" when the truth begs to be told. :/
veganelder - From what I know HSUS has formed an alternative institution composed of (vegan) animal health care providers "HSVMA" Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.
One of the main contention points is the disagreement between them and the AVMA on the welfare of animals on factory farms.
Because of issues of intense confinement it has created a "divide" amongst vet professionals.
I think as the movement grows this obvious hypocrisy will become more apparent to ethical vets... I wish though, that in the meantime more advocates presented vegan philosophy to their animal's doctors.
I haven't had much luck finding a vegan vet yet... But I have much hope of being able to "create one" - My vet's two daughters are both vegan, so she's being encouraged at all fronts to make the leap as well! Pretty neat huh? :)
Hmm, very interesting, I was going to ask on yahoo answers how many animal rescue workers eat meat because it does sound conflicting, but... then I realized thay the animals they rescue are facing long term abuse or suffering. However, the pain animals endure while being slaughtered is very brief by comparison.
Anyways, I do find this blog filled with idiots ranting to themselves (although who the idiot is is in the eye of the reader). Someone who has a closed mind is someone who rejects facts and evidence, and refuses to change (no matter which side they're on), and who should be the one changing is a matter of question... Perhaps we should go with the side in favor of freedom and rights, maybe? Closed hearts? Oh Bea, when you open your heart to your food, I'll open up mine to my food.
Maybe your "critical thinking" should involve what humans are by nature, and there is evidence (historical, biological, etc.) of this.
Aaron, I will only warn you once about hurling insults to visitors on my blog.
And I believe I will start taking the advice of one who left some wise words: "If you stop arguing, it's no longer an argument."
bye.
nice t-shirt I want one of those, I am a vegetarian and I'm actually studying to be veterinarian and I totally understand your point of you. really nice blog!
Well hey Viagra Online - If you like the concept... What a great opportunity to become a truly "animal friendly" vet! Good luck to you on that - I'm sure you'd have a huge amount of support in your customer base who feel likewise about animal people. :)
Hy, viagra! I was a vegetarian when I got into vet college and now I'm on my 3.year and vegan :) Good luck and don't give up no matter what everybody (especially other vets) tell you!
I am proud to be a veterinarian who is vegan. I did not start out that way as I was fed the propaganda on livestock early on also. It was my patients who made me realize the hypocrisy in crying over a dog or cat while being part of the torture of livestock. I know the horrors of the livestock industry firsthand and will never use animals again for tastes, convenience, or fashion. In fact, I will do everything within my power to persuade people from participating in this machine of torture.
Thanks Vegan Vet! Thanks rcannon509! I'm so happy to hear that the message is reaching enlightened minds! And that the truth will be revealed ever more! :)
Hey Bea, thanks for posting this blog. I agree with you completely: "Good doctors don't eat their patients," and anyone who can't grasp the simple logic of that statement should probably go finish kindergarten.
I was wondering if anyone could post a site that lists vegan or even vegetarian vets in the USA. I recently learned that my current vet spends his holidays killing animals in Africa, and it made me seriously doubt his dedication to saving my pets' lives.
If there are any veg vets in the USA east of the Mississippi, I'm willing to make the drive. I rescue dogs so there will be repeat business. Please post your web link or email here & I'll keep checking back til I find someone! Thanks ~Scooby
I'm sorry Scooby --- I only know of one vegan vet... All the way in California, Armati May, DVM http://www.veganvet.net/
I'm east of the Mississippi too... But I'm making valiant efforts to win my very compassionate vet over --- I'm quite hopeful. I just read recently that about 25% of the students registered in animal-care classes are all vegetarian or vegan. It really is the most consistent choice for them to make. Glad to hear it is so!
Good luck in your search. :)
Hi Bea, what a coincidence; I emailed that same vet. She told me, unfortunately, she doesn't know of any vegan vets on the east coast. What's worse is that my dog requires special surgical treatment which narrows the pool even more.
That's really great to hear about 25% of students being veg. Perhaps the next generation of veterinary specialists will be more consistent with their occupational mission.
Another thing worth noting. I did some research on this 5 years ago when I considered going into veterinary medicine myself: most, if not all accredited American veterinary colleges require educational practice on live animals. In other words, vivisection. I communicated with a vet in Europe who earned her degree without operating on/killing any living animals, but from what I understand, she's a rare one.
This is a problem which not only relates to the doctor's personal ethics but to how veterinary medicine is taught globally--which is weird because at last check they don't teach human surgeons by practicing on living humans.
Anyway, I'll keep up the search, and I hope your blog reaches inquiring minds. I'm confident that we'll eventually come out of the veterinary dark ages but it could take a few decades :s
Anonymous could not be more wrong about antibiotics not being in dairy. There must be a thousand mainstream news reports about Monsanto's bovine growth hormone. Even the dairy industry doesn't deny its use.
There are plenty of quotes by notable people throughout history - such as Plutarch, Da Vinci, the Buddha, Albert Einstein, and Albert Schweitzer - calling upon us to extend compassion and respect to all beings - human and nonhuman.
But the main point of all quotes about extending compassion is the "extending" part. People are often bounded by the era in which they live, and when open-minded, kind people have called upon others to extend compassion and respect to blacks, women, and other classes of humans, they got fierce but unconvincing pushback and defense of the staus quo just like anonymous is doing now.
The basic principle of veganism is not nutty; it is simple kindness and respect: refrain from inflicting avoidable harm on others. One way to do this every day is to choose vegan meals. Of course there are other things we can and should do.
Anonymous can waste time calling vegans all sorts of names, but I persume that deep down, s/he knows that there is no moral justification for inflicting easily avoidable harm on others. There is certainly no excuse for making animals suffer horribly, as they do in factory farms, long-distance livestock transport, and slaughterhouses, just because one likes the taste of the flesh or their secretions. www.meatvideo.com shows some of the suffering that we cause when eating animals, and that we can prevent by not eating them. vegweb.com has 13,000 vegan recipes - something for everyone, even die-hard meat-eaters.
In the long run, it is far easier to live a compassionate life then to try to defend cruelty. When you give peace, you get peace.
Hi scooby - A coincidence, yes. But also a sad truth that maybe there are so few "veg-vets" that it was inevitable we'd contact the same one. :(
You have some great points and information about European animal care. Everything about Europe regarding humans and nonhumans is beginning to look much more mindful than here in America. I'm looking at this country I once loved so much and seeing we're very far behind in ethical progress and justice issues... But I digress...
You might be intersted in seeing this post at veganelder. If you read the comments I'm sure you'll come away with even more (positive) information as to the trends in animal care...
http://veganelder.blogspot.com/2010/12/oath-for-veterinarians.html
I agree it's only a matter of time - Things are changing for the better every day. ;)
Hi Gary - You're right about the antibiotics in dairy. I signed up for notices from the USDA regarding drug residue in slaughtered animals, (disgusting I know). But the point is that the major violators are always the dairy industry. The calves specifically...
And I agree with your whole summation that most people do understand that what we do to animals for the mere taste of their flesh is reprehensible and does not reflect the values that most people have.
It seems that this effort to deny what we truly know is what is draining us... We could be so much more - If we only had the courage to stop fighting our compassionate selves. As a good friend of mine says: Stop fighting your conscience - Let it win! ;)
Thanks for your visit.
Bea , I'm in western North Carolina and would be willing to drive a little further if I knew of a vegan vet. It makes sense to me . I want a tee shirt like that too.
Google brought me to your website. Well done! I am looking for a vegan (if needed, vegetarian) vet in Ohio. As a physician, I am not making it a habbit to eat my patients. If a vet is a doctor, he/she clearly should not do so either. Is there a list for veg vets in Ohio? I will address this question also to Dr. Katz at IDA, as he is a vegan.
Hi Linda! Hope you find/make your vegan vet in North Carolina! Things are changing all the time...
The tee shirt however might be easier found... Maybe try Zazzles and design your own? ;)
Thanks for dropping by!
Hello Anonymous - Good luck to you too in finding your "animal-friendly" vet! Got a feeling in Ohio you might be very challenged indeed! But you never know - Fingers crossed!
How do you find a Vegan Vet?
I really liked the article, and the very cool blog
Do you know they created the first veterinary school in the US?
Allow me to tell you - to increase production and prevent disease of food animals. Interesting no?
It had nothing to do with animal welfare, rights or anything else of the sort. Those are just little added bonuses.
So appreciate the amount of knowledge your vet has acquired and let them enjoy their burger.
Hi Anonymous #1 --- I haven't been all that lucky yet... I've called around to several vets and I guess the best I've done is present them with the idea that they might (are) inconsistent with their line of work...
Next best thing is to keep working on your own vet... Providing information and a rational argument why she/he should consider vegan choices. It's just like advocating to anyone else - Except you have a slight advantage because they are hired by you! Good luck!
Hello Anonymous #2 - That is a fascinating bit of information. Interesting - YES! And of course it makes total sense - Then just like now, the organization is (mostly) swayed by the money/profitability first.
I appreciate this bit of knowledge - It affirms my notion to begin with that vets are NOT on their patients side! :/
I know! It's so frustrating! How can they say they love animals and yet eat them at the same time? I'm actually in veterinary school and I'm vegan too :) I was actually advised NOT to tell people I was vegan when I was applying to veterinary school. I guess some people just aren't comfortable or familiar with veganism.
Hi Grace! I'm glad to hear there's a future vegan vet on the horizon! I have good news too: http://beaelliottvegan.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-one-fanged-feline-helps-tell-vegan.html My vet *IS* vegan now and I'm thrilled about it!
The only thing I can suggest to help speed this process along to those who absolutely should be receptive to our vegan message is to discuss it with them... To ask to leave vegan brochures and outreach materials in their lobby/waiting room. I suspect that if they are against that small effort then one surely would want to find another vet who is more receptive.
You're right that often many people don't even think about the moral implications... That's how embedded the meat-agenda is. But it's our job to undo it - I say vets are the best place to start!
Thanks for your visit and comment. And good luck on your future career! ;)
Thanks for the article. The logic is sound. Now, where do we find vets who don't eat the flesh of animals?
I am a vegan veterinarian...and I don't understand why there aren't more of us around. I can count on one hand the number that I know...sad.
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