Learn and Celebrate with the Bite Size Vegan at the Central Florida VegFest

What a great time to be in Florida! Yeah... Not only has the weather been gorgeous but in just a few days on Saturday Oct. 25th I'll be attending the 9th Annual Central Florida VegFest. As in every year I have attended there will be lots of incredible booths filled with goodies, useful vegan information, delicious food and outstanding speakers.

I am thrilled that this year's speakers will include Emily Moran Barwick who is the sharp mind behind Bite Size Vegan. Her 3:00 PM talk will be on Veganizing Via Video: Effective Digital Activism & The Bite Size Vegan Story.

In this day in age people connect the most through digital means and social media. We are a visual culture with a waning attention span and it's important that those working to spread the message of veganism find ways to educate within this paradigm. Emily will share with you her personal journey with video activism, including her inconvenient tech-phobia and missteps, as well as speak to the key components of developing your own digital activism. She will also share some of the Bite Size Vegan videos and save time for questions.

Emily says "my hope is to help people really look at our reasoning behind what we do to animals; to examine our justifications more deeply than 'that’s the way it’s always been'.

I'm taking notes! ;)

In the meantime if you can't attend this fabulous VegFest celebration --- Check out her awesome videos that pack so much useful information in an easy to swallow little nugget... Below are two of my favorites - The first is from the Vegan Ethics and Morality Playlist:



And this 3 minute gem is jam-packed with cleverness, talent and truth!



For me hearing Emily speak in person will be the highlight of this VegFest... I'm certain her humor, enthusiasm and well-reasoned communication will make its due impact here in Florida... I know her high energy is just the jump start I need! 

Thank you Bite Size Vegan for all you do and for coming down to the Sunshine State! :D

A Snap-Shot of the Cruelest Food in the World... Say Cheese!

I am born of French descent. I was raised with the daily taste of countless varieties of "formage". Hardly a meal was had without a slice, a wedge or chunk. My first job was at Hickory Farms where I sampled dozens of "gourmet" cheeses from around the globe... But this is why it's all repulsive to me now... This is why it's so very easy to say NO! to dairy:



Honestly... If I can do it - Anyone can! Ditch dairy. Find your ethical core. Live kindly. Go vegan.

Rejoice In Closing The Last Slaughterhouse!

This vastly improved headline comes from a story listed here.

Let the brutal act of killing the last pig, cow or chicken be relegated to the dust bins of a perverted, ugly history. You can help close all the slaughterhouses down by opting to be vegan. 

"In all the round world of utopia there is no meat. There used to be. But now we cannot stand the thought of slaughterhouses. And in a population that is all educated and at about the same level of physical refinement, it is practically impossible to find anyone who will hew a dead ox or pig. We never settled the hygienic aspect of meat-eating at all. This other aspect decided us. I can still remember as a boy the rejoicings over the closing of the last slaughterhouse."  ~H.G. Wells

The last slaughterhouse/battle field has closed. Now we can all have peace.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary - On Mothers, Cows and Milk

• The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook: Delicious Dairy-Free Cheeses.
• Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your Mouth Will Love.
• The Gentle Chef - The Non-Dairy Formulary

Easter Celebrates Fertility - The Cruelest Fate For Rabbits

The pagan celebration of Easter is rooted in the fertility and renewal of spring. Tragically this gift of life is the cruelest curse to the rabbits who are a symbol of this holiday.

Gentle readers, if you eat cows, pigs or birds you have absolutely no call to condemn the rabbit industry. But I can and will: 

Rabbits suffer from the same hardships every other farm animal suffers from such as: space deprivation, poor ventilation, manipulated lighting, and etc. Consequently they exhibit a range of neurotic behaviors such as fur-plucking, ear-biting and self-mutilation. They become obese, get inflamed feet, have poor bone density, develop gastrointestinal and urinary dysfunction.

Caged rabbits can suffer from ulcerative pododermatitis (also called "sore hocks") consisting of scab-covered ulcers on the hind legs. This is caused by the pressure of heavy body weight on a wire floor, or by excessive stamping of the feet by nervous rabbits.

In some cases the feces underneath the cages are never cleaned out. Prolonged exposure to fumes (particularly ammonia) from urine and feces, irritate the rabbits' eyes and respiratory tracts and predisposes them to disease.

In nature, rabbits’ way of dealing with dangers is by running and hiding in holes. The fact they can’t do it in the cages leaves them panicked with every change in the surrounding. When they are taken out of the cage or someone else is getting in or even to the slightest noise, rabbits often respond with digestive problems, in some cases hurting themselves or their babies, sometimes killing them.

Just to understand how hard the conditions in the rabbits farms are, 1 in 4 rabbits will die due to the intensive conditions before the age of 12 weeks (rabbit’s slaughter age) even though they can reach up to 12 years.

The industry’s way to reproduce more “meat bunnies” is by caging does and bucks (female and male rabbits) in a single cell cage and use them as a breeding stock. In the wild, rabbits form social colonies that usually consists of one to three males and one to five females. Domestic rabbits retain the full range of behaviors of their wild ancestors, so housing rabbits singly in barren cages causes physiological and behavioral problems. Young does are mated for the first time at the age of 16 weeks. Then they start their endless cycle of overlapping impregnation, gestation, birth, and nursing.

A typical litter consists of 8-10 bunnies which are taken away from their mother at 4 weeks of age.

The does are fertile 24 hours after giving birth and being re-mated before each litter is weaned.

Does have an average 'use-life' of about 18 months. During this period, they will produce 8-15 litters. The gestation lasts for 32 days. An average litter reproduces 6-8 successfully fattened rabbits (out of 8-10 born bunnies). The production targets are at least 50 rabbits per doe, per year. Bucks are usually kept until they are three to four years old.

When the breeding does' and bucks' productivity begins to fall, they are sold for low-quality meat production..

You may read the end of these bunnies miserable journey here.

You can remove your participation in the suffering of so many by simply making other choices. Whether it's rabbits, chickens, pigs, cows or any other exploited being... Please do so. 

Love Life sticker available at Herbivore Clothing

Vegan Seeds are Plant Positive

The majority of my online advocacy is spent either on other blogs, forums, Pinterest or Youtube where animals are the topic. I admit I deliberately look for opposing views. When I find suitable opportunity, I gladly volunteer to speak on behalf of the victims. It's what I do.

Although I've been called everything you could imagine, every now and then there's a positive end... Not all confrontations are met with offensive cussing: 

Atrociously ugly video of bird "processing" plant

I guess this post is just to illustrate we never know who we're going to influence and in what way. It's also meant as a reminder that there are reasonable people who just need a bit more information to do what they know is right in the first place.

I hope everyone continues to sow seeds in their own unique way. And may our plantings thrive well beyond the last negative, life-stealing, "processing" plant. 

Your garden starts here

It's Spring - I'm Turning Over a New Leaf

I'm turning over a new leaf. Actually, a thousand-million of them (again)...

It's not the tropical image of Florida that sells vacation packages, but many of the palm trees here compete for that sunshine right next to immense and majestic live oaks. This time of year those trees turn a brilliant gold and shed every one of it's leaves... After that, the water oaks follow suit. And then comes what I call tree sperm, but technically they are "catkins". And they're everywhere! 

a mix of leaves, catkins, Spanish moss, and spent azalea petals

The many pounds of pollen-rich catkins cling to the shingles on your roof and to the bottoms of your shoes...  If you're lucky the March winds will blow some of them away. But most likely you'll have to rake, sweep, hose and bag to be shed of the bulk of them along with the leaves. This is not the casual orchid and hibiscus gardening hobby that I bargained for. It's a thankless job. But I love the shade these oaks provide... And I love the many birds, squirrels and lizards that call these trees home. So no matter how many leaves I'll have to continue to turn... The trees aren't going anywhere.

I suppose that's where I'm going with this post -

I started this blog about six years ago shortly after I re-examined my relationship with my fellow Earthlings. I wanted to share information and ideas. I wanted to document, record and report the atrocities I had been made aware of. I wanted to support and be part of an online community of fellow advocates. But most of all I wanted to have an outlet to express my feelings. My rage. My sorrow. My despair and my hopes...  And in those years (and posts) the leaves kept falling.

So many in fact that it's been impossible for me to gather them all. All those thoughts I wanted to give meaning to in the way of selectively chosen words got lost in the drifts of dead things called "drafts". If you're a blogger - I bet you've got a few dozen too... They are in a way, unraked leaves aren't they?
But if you're like me though, some of these thoughts, discoveries and sentiments aren't really "dead" at all - They're still alive enough in your head to prevent you from clicking the final "delete" button.

And so it is that I'm sorting through the good "leaves", the ugly ones, the ones that still make me cry or laugh... Or grimace.

Just like raking though, you wonder where to begin. For me, since my house is on a corner it presents a challenge of marking the start-spot. The front? The side? The other side? The back? I'm tired just deciding! But here's the solution I'm intending regarding the future of this blog as I continue sharing my un-killed thoughts... Rather than struggle with profound, exotic and/or complex posts that include endless links (that most wouldn't follow anyway) I'm opting for quantity rather than exceptional quality. I'll try for both, but mostly what I want to say will be brief and done. And as in the past the mix will be with/without comment... As I post more frequently, I certainly can't expect the few loyal readers I have to dedicate time to acknowledge/approve my daily views. 

I'm not trying to convince any vegan that their choice is valid. That point is made countless times by those with much more authority than I. But rather I'd just like to get back to my original intent:  To have an outlet to express my feelings. My rage. My sorrow. My despair and my hopes. As I do this with more frequency, I hope I'll tackle the pile of uncomposted leaves that's still in my mind. Perhaps too more of this tactic might reach a nonvegan, and that would be a good thing also.

To close - there are some ways that leaves are not like vegan advocacy: With fallen leaves, more is not usually better. And unlike raking, spreading a compassionate message is never a thankless job.

With all the hopes of a new beginning - Happy Spring!

Through These Vegan Eyes... I See Someone

From the Science Daily
Note that the photo credit was not error checked. This is a Bearded seaL. 

A photo like this is difficult to look at. In just the moments it takes to focus on the all the details and issues, my brain is in a cascade of revelations:

I see someone.

He's cautious... Afraid.

He's been captured.

He's been manhandled.

Weighed and measured.

He's been confined... And isolated.

He's be prodded and documented.

Labeled and numbered.

Used and abused.

...Then put to work. For us. To record patterns of the eco-climate-destruction of our own making.  And to be food... For us. 

What a job we've given him. 

Tasked by us. By force.
Utilized. 

Snuffed. 

Purposed and consumed.
Discarded and destroyed. 

I see someone. Cautious and afraid as he should be.

I see someone who's been used enough and for too long. 

This is his home too. And he has a right to live in it. Free.

He needs protection not for us but from us.  

For the sake of all others who have had machines strapped to them... Or attached into them - Please make it stop by living an aware and a caring vegan life.  It's the just thing to do.

Recall of Five Species Donkey Meat -

Happy 2014! Health and Happiness is Wished to All!

Apparently though my best hopes have gone off track rather quickly. I'm afraid to start this new year off with such ridiculous and remorseful news. It confirms the lingering stupidity of carnists, the greed of corporations and the tragic murders of yet more of our fellow creatures.

At first I read this headline as "Wal-Mart recalls "Five-Species" donkey meat in China after tests reveal fox", so I'm going with it. 

On behalf of all the donkeys, foxes, fishes and chickens, rabbits, dolphins, ducks, squirrels, cows, pigs, rats and cats, and muskrats, spiders, snakes, loons, and raccoon, horses, oxen, elk, deer, moose and goose, whales and quails and the like... Pretty, Pretty PLEASE! Don't eat any one! 

A better wish might be for wisdom and compassion to all. :/

Happy Vegan Holidays - To You!

All the fur, feathered and scaled creatures think your kindness is the best gift of all!

(To You!)

A Tradition Of Compassion - A Vegan Heritage

There's this tradition:

Heritage Turkey Processing

Or you can make a new ones:

In Thanksgiving For the Birds, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau eloquently debunks the myths around the "traditional" foods surrounding Thanksgiving.

"Most people don't know that our contemporary customs at Thanksgiving, namely the serving of turkeys, were shaped and popularized by a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, in the mid-1800s. Whatever meaning we attribute to this Thanksgiving holiday is most certainly not lost (in fact, it is enhanced) by creating food-based rituals that affirm rather than take life, that demonstrate compassion and empathy rather than selfishness and gluttony, that celebrate the fact that no one need be sacrificed in order that we should eat."

And in Talking Turkey she speaks truth to power: "If you've never met them, turkeys are magnificent animals, full of spunk and spark and affection. I've introduced many people to the critters at farmed animal sanctuaries, and the animals with whom people have the most transformative experience are the turkeys. Every time. Never fails. Join me as I tell some stories of special turkeys I've had the privilege of meeting and as I explain why I'm still making amends to the animals, whose breasts, legs, and wings used to darken my dinner plate." 

*****

“A farmer gave his son a hatchet and a turkey saying, "Take this bird out behind the barn where no one can see you and kill him.”  Being an obedient son, the boy vanished behind the barn only to return several minutes later with the still very much alive turkey.  “What is the matter?” asked the farmer. “Did you not understand my instructions?”  The son looked his father in the eye and said, “But Father, everywhere I went the turkey could see me!” The son in this story has made the shift in awareness that we feel the people of this world need to understand. Just because a sentient being cannot talk does not mean they don’t have a point of view on whether they live or die.”

Seth Tibbott

President and Founder

Turtle Island Foods and Tofurky

You can read about Seth Tibbott, who has literally saved the lives of millions of birds, here, here, and here.

photo courtesy Leilani Münter for The Ghost In Our Machine

Thanks to all who have made compassion 

part of the vegan heritage. :)

A Disturbed Turkey Party

The captured image below is from a video titled The Turkey Party. The creator of this video also hosted the beheading of this bird by a very young, inexperienced executioner. No need to watch the gore... Suffice it to say that the crowd of guests got to witness this creature endure a series of brutal, inaccurate swings.

People excuse the habit of eating animals by saying that the victim doesn’t know, doesn’t feel, doesn’t care, is complicit, or isn’t even there. This one turkey certainly knew. Felt fear. Was terrorized. Resisted. And was definitely present in all of his desperate being until his exhausted end.

*****

And just like this video and the people who made killing a festive event, centuries ago people won lotteries for the opportunity to witness these acts of slaughter and relished seeing the final moments of expiring life.  

Entertainment for the mob

And just like this video too, these public and legal murders weren't without their incidents of ineptness either:

In Britain, beheadings were carried out by the “common hangman”, who had very little practice or experience, which often led to unfortunate consequences. These axemen would often show up in a drunken state, no doubt to numb themselves from the task at hand. And just like the Turkey-Party-butchers the positions of headsman were often passed down from father to son.

In 1587 it took four blows to remove Mary Queen of Scot's head.

Robert Devereux Earl of Essex was executed at the Tower of London in 1601. Over 100 people witnessed the execution - three strokes of the axe were needed to sever his head.

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury was dragged to the scaffold but refused to lay her head on the block. She struggled and was forced down. The inexperienced executioner made a gash in her shoulder rather than her neck. She leapt from the block and was chased by the executioner, with his axe in full swing. She was struck eleven times before she died. There were 150 witnesses to her execution.

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1834) Paul Delaroche

Anne Boleyn, Queen of England was terrified at the prospect of being beheaded by an axe. She was therefore granted some clemency and a swordsman was called from France to undertake the execution.

Queen Catherine Howard, pleaded with her husband King Henry VIII to supply her executioner with a block so that he could practice her execution.

In 1890 Anna Månsdotter of Sweden was executed. In her case, the blade of the axe passed through her lower jaw which was left attached to her neck afterwards.

The Execution of Sir Walter Raleigh by Severino Baraldi

The victims would pay the headsman large sums in hopes that he'd complete his job with swift precision. The victim was also expected to forgive the executioner.


                "Please don't hurt me. I don't want to die!"

I realize that even today in the most primitive cultures such depraved violations of life and the sanctity of one's body still occur to humans, and most of us recognize it as barbaric and unjust. But these executions take place in "turkey parties" in hundreds of slaughterhouses every second. Likewise, the crowds huddle around the meat cases and tell the same lies, that the victims didn’t know, didn’t feel, didn’t care, didn't resist, or are made invisible. These deceptions let mobs make self-serving exceptions that trivialize butchery, under the guise-of-a-leap of "humane" faith.  

"Anyone who says that life matters less to animals than it does to us has not held in his hands an animal fighting for its life. The whole of the being of the animal is thrown into that fight, without reserve." 
(Elizabeth Costello, in J. M. Coetzee's book The Lives of Animals)

If you intend to have one of these sacrificed turkeys as a holiday celebration - Please don't fool yourself that this being didn't have a violent and painful death. Or that they didn't struggle and plead for their lives. No one consents to be killed. And we know their life was full of misery as well. 

This is just one suggestion in thousands of options that will allow you to avoid the un-festive consequences of botched slaughters and the gloom that comes with all killing. On holidays and always, please consider kind, abundant, life-affirming vegan options instead. Thank you.

United Poultry Concerns

sources:

Execution by beheading

Executions at the Tower of London

What's Love Got To Do With Meat?

In the recent winter storm named Atlas up to 70,000 cows, sheep and horses were left stranded, soaked with rain, and then were smothered or frozen in snow. Many of these cows were found in piles around the barbed wire meant to keep them "safe". Often buried in the drifts were young calves huddled by their mothers. 

On any site that reported this event, or in other instances where the "care" of "livestock" is scrutinized, animal users will defend their practices and habits with endless comments meant to illustrate how much they "love" their stock:

"We tenderly nurture and care for these production animals."

"Farm families love and care for each one."

"We do our best to keep our livestock comfortable; warm in the winter, cool in the summer, well fed, because we care."

"Although they may have death in the end, you can try to give them good care until then." 

"We love the animals we raise to feed the world."

At the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance you can see they "care" seventeen times on one page. Maybe they figure the more you say it... The more you mean it right? 

And Bonnie, a member of the National Turkey Federation, enters a grow-out barn singing Kumbia to the thousands of birds she claims to "love".

The pig pork people are just the same. They want you to know how much they "care" in one convincing logo. 

Dairymen are animal lovers too! You can read it seven times on one page, amid the photos of barren plastic hutches where the infant calves are "cared for" in isolation.

Or you could see the same line in a Dairy Farmers Care video where they "care" nine times in three minutes.

You can see the pattern over and over. Ranchers and "producers" "care" and "love" these animals so very much --- All the way to the kill floor.

But getting back to Atlas... The industry posted a series of photos that illustrate the impact this storm had. In one, the caption reads "Identifying and cutting ear tags from the animals we found deceased helped in keeping an accurate count of the lost." And other missing cows are being identified by their "brands" on left or right hip or rib, or elsewhere I guess...

Can't you feel the love?

And of course they have to keep track of the loss in order to be reimbursed via the Livestock Indemnity Program. Heck of a way to count the tears, through tags, brands, carcass disposal and cash. 

Any reasonable person can see right through this "love" and loss. It's not about the heartbreak of losing a friend and family member... It's about finances and lost profits. We should feel sorry for these ranchers we're told, for they'll never get to capitalize on flesh that's buried. Instead I and many others, weep for the cows, horses and sheep. I never knew a single one of them... But I know I love them more than those who "owned" them ever could.

I know what it means to genuinely care. It's someone who rearranges their whole day to rescue orphaned possums. It's someone who sets the alarm every 2 hours to insure that baby mice or rabbits are kept hydrated. It's someone who takes in a rejected calf from the dairy industry and loves him his entire life without a "lost milk tally". It's folks who pool their resources to rescue hundreds of "spent hens" . And they do it over, and over, and over and over again without the reward of one single egg as a "payment". 

It's finding a way to rescue one pig who then gives birth to sixteen others. It's rejoicing that all are healthy, without the calculated plan as to when they reach a market weight. Their value is priceless.

I could go on with how much authentic concern is given to these beings who have been rescued from the industries that profess to "care" while benefiting financially. And it's true, for some it is about the money... But not the making of it - But the sharing of it... Down to their last penny. That's a real love beyond counting ear tags and making meat.

Whether you are a consumer or a rancher - Words are hollow if they're not followed through with sincere action. Using others for your profit or personal benefit has nothing to do with love. Please if you don't do so already, live and Eat Like You Care.

Trivial Humor & Serious Inspiration = Animal Ag & UnMuted Advocates

In case you missed the bit of humor around the web last week - It comes to you courtesy of the animal ag industry that went into a tizzy when the Country Music Television channel  sent out a twitter acknowledging World Vegetarian Day, and suggested a "meatfree" Monday as well. It played out like a similar panic that occurred last year, when a "meatfree Monday" was proposed by the U.S.D.A. It's evident that these carnists suffer from extreme vegophobia:




But don't let the farcical antics by the flesh-peddlers gag your voice. These three advocates and others, certainly aren't letting that happen! And they depend on their hands and sign language as a way to get their message heard:
ZimmySpiritual
amandamac3
DeafNutritionist Sandria Graham hosts the 2013 ASL Vegan Documentary Film

No matter how you're talking about justice and kindness... Please don't let the ridiculous, phobic and fearful, life-snuffers silence you. Speaking up for the world's most mistreated inhabitants is seriously needed. Thank you for doing so! ;)

Using My Imagination For a Vegan Chipotle

By now I'm sure every one's seen or heard of Chipotle's Scarecrow video. When it first came online, there was a shout-out from fellow activists and youtubers to keep the dialogue open and to make attempts to keep our thoughtful voices and views heard. 



If you scan the discussions that took place in the last few days, it's evident that ranchers, and those in the industry feel this video is a betrayal to the "responsible" way they "raise food". The GMO issues weren't debated half as passionately as the ones regarding "humane" animal use. This is encouraging.

A lot of viewers also had their hearts shattered at the image of cow #53281. I think these sad few frames in particular made people question not only the harms done in meat consumption... But those very dark ones, hidden by the "happy-cow" dairy industries.

Now there's a lot of people wondering what Chipotle's angle is in this campaign... I don't assume for a moment to know the inner workings and figurings of any large corporation. Of course their end is to drive more business into their doors... But aren't the future customers they're appealing to plant eaters? The beginning is ugly and shows miserable animals being used and the story ends in a meal served that could very well have been vegan. 

For as beautifully arranged as the music is... As picturesque as the fresh pepper on the vine appears... As magical as all these visually artistic scenes are - There's no chance that a vision of a better tomorrow could ever, ever include snuffing the life from our beautiful fellow Earthlings. That's simply beyond any one's imagination of paradise. I'm hoping for the real deal... There's nothing to it! 

Cultivate kindness. Go vegan. ;)

A Look At Portentous and Pretentious Holy Meat

I've been told a time or two that I have an unconventional sense of humor and that's nothing that I can argue with. And so when I read about the pope meeting with Jewish religious leaders, to discuss which method of animal slaughter is the "god-approved" way, I couldn't help but see the twist of a joke that needed to be teased out.

So here's my look at the conversation:

And should anyone find my opinion irreverent, so be it. I can only add my dismay that others can't see the absurd vulgarity in even speculating the "right" way to do such an evil deed as snuffing the life of an innocent! 

Look at the photo that shows them with smiles and exchanging pleasantries, while they determine the merciless fate of countless victims. Shame on anyone who professes to be enlightened while fabricating methods to make blood-shed sacred! No matter how it's done, the deliberate act of animal murder and meat eating lacks compassionate wisdom, and is void of dignity. It appeases the most base, mindless gluttony while presenting a sham of virtue. It's not hallowed. It's hollow! It's not divine! It's depraved! It's not sacred. It's sinister! Needless killing is not a magnificent ideal! It's a morally bankrupt impoverishment!

Venerate life. Live Vegan!

Animals Who Labor - The Irony Of A Holiday

Labor Day was created in 1884. The first Monday in September was selected as the day to honor the "working man".  This holiday celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

Lots of people take this opportunity to spend a day relaxing under a quiet hammock at home.  Or some go to the beach for a day of playing in the water.

And some take in the boardwalk attractions.

I think it's great to kick back and enjoy the fruits of one's work and toil... Everyone needs that. Just wondering though... The animal ag people make all sorts of inferences that animals must be "productive", and that their "contributions" are vital to us all carnists... 

So when do these "essential" animals get a day off? When do they have a 24 hour reprieve from their "duties" and their "job" of supplying dairy, eggs and meat to the blood-hungry masses? We know that the slaughterhouse lines never stop, not for any holiday... So I think it's really ironic that those humans who profess to "benefit" most from the horrific use of these animals don't at least give them

one miserable day off!!! EVER!!!

No one was put here to eat, to wear, to be entertained by, or to be used as a test-subject. Not any day of the year! 

Please... Give all animals a holiday everyday. 

Go vegan!