Monday, December 27, 2010

Cornucopia promotes “really organic” eggs; brushes off animal-rights discussion

Last Friday I received an email from the Cornucopia Institute advocating organic egg production, and criticizing factory farm eggs for the spread of salmonella and arsenic. You can read it here: http://www.cornucopia.org/2010/09/organic-egg-report-and-scorecard/

The Cornucopia Institute has published some helpful and revealing reports, such as the use of hexane in many soy foods (commonly consumed by vegans), as well as exposing non-organic soy use. They recently did a good job of blasting the “free range” eggs sold by Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and other pious grocery chains, showing that these and many more “humane” eggs are actually derived from high-volume operations. They showed that some companies, like Silk, had moved away from using organic (to cut costs) and pressed them back onto the organic track.

But the group seems unable to admit that consumption of eggs is ecologically unsound and entirely unnecessary. Organic farming emits quite a lot of CO2 equivalent, and requires ample space, usurping habitat from free-living animal communities. Follow the money: several Cornucopia board members own organic animal farms.

I opted to respond to Mark Kastel, co-founder of Cornucopia. Below is our exchange.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Shishkoff
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 1:44 PM
To: kastel@cornucopia.org
Subject: Re: How do you want your eggs? Over easy, with salmonella, arsenic . are yours really organic?

Hi Mark,

I'm not interested in consuming eggs or exploiting animals at all.  What's worse, eggs are completely unnecessary for human health. We can get all the nutrition we need from plant-based foods, and completely avoid plunging into these moral dilemmas.

Also, consider the impact of more organic farms verses 'factory' farms:
significantly more land is required for these organic animal farms.  This takes yet MORE space from other free-living animals.

Haven't we taken up way too much land as it is?  If everyone were to switch to organic eggs, as an example, the destruction to habitat would be astounding. Do we really need to take up even more land, just to eat eggs?

The only meaningful choice is to move away from animal-based foods, and promote a vegan diet.  Salmonella is rarely a concern (in cases like sprouts or lettuce, it is contaminated from animal manure), nor is arsenic ever an issue. And were significantly more people to adopt a vegan philosophy, the amount of land freed and allowed to return to nature would be truly incredible and inspiring.

Why not help promote this vision?

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
http://FriendsofAnimals.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Mark A. Kastel - The Cornucopia Institute
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 12:24 PM
To: 'Dave Shishkoff'
Subject: RE: How do you want your eggs? Over easy, with salmonella, arsenic . are yours really organic?

Hi Dave,

First, let me say that we support and respect everyone's dietary choices.
We have done extensive research not only in livestock agriculture but also comparing brands of soy food and protecting the availability of raw almonds (untreated by chemical fumigants or heat).

We have members who are omnivores, vegetarians and vegans.  Everyone deserves the healthiest possible food.

But if you don't want to eat food from farms, family-scale farms, where are you buying the food you eat?  Do you eat organic vegetables and other protein sources?

Mark


Mark A. Kastel
The Cornucopia Institute
kastel@cornucopia.org
608-625-2042 Voice
866-861-2214 Fax


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Shishkoff
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 1:52 PM
To: kastel@cornucopia.org
Subject: RE: How do you want your eggs? Over easy, with salmonella, arsenic . are yours really organic?

Hi Mark, thanks for writing back.

While it’s clear that you support ‘everyone’s dietary choices’, that doesn’t mean everyone’s dietary choices deserve support.

Clearly, some are more harmful than others. The UN FAO has made it abundantly clear that animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse emissions than any other category. The choice to eat meat and other animal products is making it impossible for others to even live. “There is no right way to do a wrong thing.”

And the fact remains: eggs are entirely unnecessary for human health -- but they do seem a useful financial gain for some board members of the Cornucopia Institute, who have invested interests in livestock. Is that not a bit of a conflict of interest?

Organic food practices are essential, and yes, the vast majority of the food I eat is organic. Organic is a very valuable and worthwhile principle.
However, it seems to get lost when other animals are introduced. Instead of working to benefit the land and planet in a sound and peaceful ethic, we claim their flesh and other excretions and try to sanitize this insensitive and uncaring behavior with particular ‘rules’ on their handling, but the heart of the matter remains: it’s still hurting animals, and it’s treating them like they’re commodities instead of sensitive, feeling individuals.

And once more – unlike plant foods, their consumption is completely unnecessary for human health, and nothing more than a luxury - which is harming and compromising all life on the planet.

I hope you will give this more thought, and begin to promote a vegan and organic ethic. (Check out ‘veganic’ farming if you’re not already familiar.)

Sincerely,

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals 


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark A. Kastel - The Cornucopia Institute
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 1:06 PM
To: Dave@FriendsofAnimals.org
Subject: RE: How do you want your eggs? Over easy, with salmonella, arsenic . are yours really organic?

Dear Dave,

Once again we are just going to have to agree to disagree.  We fully understand and respect your position, and that of other ethical vegans.

We will continue to support farmers and consumers in the dietary choices they make and not take a position.

Best regards,

Mark

Mark A. Kastel
The Cornucopia Institute
kastel@cornucopia.org
608-625-2042 Voice
866-861-2214 Fax


Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Monday Letter to the Editor re: Nose to Tail

A Friends of Animals letter was published this week in Monday Magazine, in response to this rather disturbing-to-read piece:

http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/letters-december-9/

The heart of the matter

Re: “From Nose to Tail,” Nov. 25-Dec. 1

This article deserves more discussion. There is talk of honor and ethics, yet an honest discussion on these matters reveal there is no room for either when it comes to supporting the exploitation and killing of a sensitive, sentient being because “we like the taste.” Given this, it is a decidedly unethical act.

Honouring an animal (human or non-human), were we to apply meaningful usage to the phrase, would mean not killing them. It would mean not exploiting them. It would mean allowing them to live on their own terms, in their own communities. It’s a perversion to claim that eating the entire corpse of an enslaved creature is “more honourable” than only eating select parts. Further, animals can’t be understood as containers of pain, as Lee Hall writes in On Their Own Terms; they need to be respected as individuals.

The discussion of ethical eating needs to shift away from greenwashing the ways in we manage livestock to the eating of foods which are truly ethical—that being plant-based foods. The vegan philosophy is the logical conclusion, and where “ethics” and “food” are concerned, the ethical choices are clearly to consume foods which do not harm others. And in thinking ahead, to quote Hall once more, “Committing to vegan living today will play an important role in the making of fair ways to produce, and equitable ways to distribute, what we need tomorrow.”

Dave Shishkoff,

Friends of Animals, Victoria

===============================================

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

World Vegan Month Activity Report

Being World Vegan Month, Friends of Animals in Victoria organized several activities to celebrate and promote veganism, and we got busy with it!

First off was a vegan feed-out, in downtown Victoria in front of Bastion Square. A feed-out is a fun event where you give out vegan food and info, demonstrating on the spot that you can have tasty food, and not hurt animals.

From 2010 - World Vegan Day

Mary and I gave out dozens of cupcakes, brownies, and pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies (thanks to Diana for the latter!) and had some good conversations with people, who were genuinely interested in finding out more about veganism.

Next up was a screening of Peaceable Kingdom at Green Cuisine on Sunday. A dozen people turned up, half of whom I haven't met before, so nice to get some new faces out. As expected, the film was well received, and during the discussion period afterward one person commented they would be now committing to being 100% vegan. Declarations we like to hear!

Afterward most people stuck around to enjoy dinner with the group. Green Cuisine kindly offered a discounted special, and people took advantage of this, filling up on delicious vegan food. We also had a small draw, and further thanks to Green Cuisine for donating a couple $15 gift certificates and their cookbook, and Friends of Animals also chipped in a tote bag, and copies of Dining With Friends and Capers in the Churchyard.

From 2010 - World Vegan Day

On Monday, the UVic Friends of Animals club got busy on campus with a fundraiser vegan bakesale for Primarily Primates, an amazing sanctuary for chimpanzees and other animal refugees. Lots of amazing goodies were prepared, and a big thank you goes out to Mary, Meghan and Jenn for baking and helping with the table, and to Katrina, Diana, Kyla and Jess for filling out the rest of the table with vegan goodness. (And more brownies from me of course. ;)

Despite it being a slower reading break crowd, we still managed to raise nearly $200 - thanks, UVic FoA Club, perhaps there's another watermelon party in the near future for the residents of Primarily Primates.

From 2010 - World Vegan Day

An extra-special thank-you goes out to Mary, who's been an amazing, inspiring and dedicated volunteer. Sadly for us, she'll be moving away in a week, first to travel South America for six months, and then moving permanently to Australia. There, I'm sure the vegan community will benefit from her exceptional out-going and engaging activism. We'll miss you Mary!

A few more photos from the day can be found here; it's up to you to continue to celebrating the rest of World Vegan Month! =)

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Friday, November 5, 2010

World Vegan Month Activities in Victoria

November 1st was World Vegan Day, happy belated World Vegan Day! =)

It's been 66 years now since the term 'vegan' was coined, and the Vegan Society founded, and we've progress fairly well! Let's try and encourage more to go vegan for the rest of 2010, and into 2011.

To accomplish this, Friends of Animals has a few events planned in the immediate future. On Sunday, November 7th, we'll be organizing a Feed-Out (giving out yummy vegan food to prove you can have tasty food and not hurt animals), as well as a screening of Peaceable Kingdom, followed by a Dine-Out at Green Cuisine.

On Monday, November 8th, we'll be up at UVic to have a vegan bakesale fundraiser for Primarily Primates, the FoA sanctuary in Texas.

For all the details, visit The Victoria Vegan's World Vegan Day page. Hope to see you there, and have a wonderful World Vegan Month!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Open, joint letter from Friends of Animals and LIDA re proposed Victoria pet limit rules

Below is a joint letter from FoA and Lawyers in Defense of Animals, Inc. (LIDA) commenting on pet restrictions in Victoria, which was featured in the Times Colonist a few months ago (see this blog entry.) I've sent repeated letters requesting more information on the issue to Mayor Fortin and Councillor Thornton-Joe, with no response, hopefully this gets their attention.
To: Mayor Dean Fortin; Charlayne Thornton-Joe (Councillor)
Cc: Dave Shishkoff [mailto:dave@friendsofanimals.org]


Date: 28 Oct. 2010
Re: Proposed pet-limit laws, Victoria, BC.

Greetings to Mayor Dean Fortin and Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe, and the Members of the Victoria, BC Council:

We wish to inform you that Friends of Animals, Inc. (FoA) and Lawyers in Defense of Animals, Inc. (LIDA) share concerns over a proposed law that would be problematic and difficult to change once its unintended consequences are felt.

Each of our organizations has a strong record of advocating for animals raised as pets, and their abandoned offspring.

Since its inception in 1957, Friends of Animals, Inc. has facilitated more than 2.5 million sterilization procedures for cats and dogs. The mission of the group is to challenge and end cruelty to animals and their exploitation.

Having litigated animal-related cases in New Jersey for more than 20 years, LIDA has a thorough familiarity with pet-limit laws.

Both of our groups view pet-limit laws as creating distrust (and thus non-compliance) among law-abiding people who are driven underground in an effort to protect their animals.

We understand from media reports that the Council Members for Victoria, BC, Canada are proposing to legislate per-household cat and rabbit limits. Household limits have proved detrimental for cats and cat rescue or foster advocates – people who do our communities a service, and who should be encouraged.

In various locations in North America it’s become clear that pet limit laws do not effect the aims for which they are enacted. Existing health code laws and animal-cruelty laws are already aimed at the problems that limit laws attempt to address. Local ordinances can be enacted to cover situations such as breeding of animals. Limit laws, however, are typically enacted in reaction to some incident, and fail to ensure good general policy.

We’ve seen household limits declared unconstitutional in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Challenges are currently being mounted against them throughout the United States. More significantly, they are they ineffective in solving the problems they are enacted to address.

Relinquishment of cats, rabbits, and other pet animals attributable to the economic climate has already overburdened shelters. A limit law will increase that burden while simultaneously depriving these shelters of the foster homes on which they rely to help ease the space constraints.

Ultimately, enacting pet limits would mean Victoria will be viewed as an authority to be avoided, thus diminishing the likelihood that help will be sought in those situations where it is genuinely necessary.

Please take the time to confer with us before deliberating further on household limits. We recommend you to Dave Shishkoff, Canadian Correspondent for Friends of Animals, who lives in Victoria and can keep the animal-advocacy community and the Council in a beneficial communication loop. We also plan to reach out to the press so that the people of Victoria – including rescue advocates – can take part in discussion of issues surrounding enlightened policies for animal care.

Very truly yours,

Marie Ansari, Rescue Liaison for Lawyers in Defense of Animals
Website: www.njlida.org
E-mail: info@njlida.org
Headquarters: 98 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 U.S.

Lee Hall, Vice President - Legal Affairs
Friends of Animals
Website: friendsofanimals.org
E-mail: leehall@friendsofanimals.org
Headquarters: 777 Post Road, Suite 205, Darien CT 06820 U.S.
Please send in your own letters as well to mayor@victoria.ca and cthornton-joe@victoria.ca asking them to make more info on this issue available, to discuss and consult with the public and animal rescue organizations, and to ensure that these limits don't hinder those who work to rescue animal refugees.

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Victoria Vegan Buddy Program!

Friends of Animals is proud to offer a Vegan Buddy program for Victoria.


If you're a new vegan and are looking for advice and tips, be it on nutritional info, where to find vegan foods, cooking replacements (ie, how to replace eggs when baking), what new veggies to try out, questions about environmental or animal rights topics and more, look no further! We'll pair you up with an experienced vegan mentor who's keen to help you out and share their experiences.

Conversely, if you're an experienced vegan and interested in helping out a new vegan by email or phone, we're also looking for vegan mentors. You don't need to know everything about veganism of course, Friends of Animals is here to help you out in return as well, if faced with any questions you're unfamiliar with. All we need from you is the desire to help out.

To sign up, visit our Victoria Vegan Buddy page, fill out the appropriate form, and we'll get you started on the Vegan Buddy program. Thanks so much for being a part of this inspiring project!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Save-A-Turkey Trot 2010 Report

The first annual Save-A-Turkey Trot was a success, and fun had by all!

Last Sunday was a bit of a cloudy and overcast day, but regardless OrganicAthlete Victoria and Friends of Animals welcomed 23 people and two dogs to join us for this fun run/jog/walk/whatever. Victoria is infamous for holding 1st-time sporting events with hardly any participants, so this was actually a pleasant surprise.

The goal of the event is to encourage a more peaceful Thanksgiving (and every meal!) by promoting veganism. It’s healthy, better for the environment, and certainly eliminates an unimaginable amount of suffering and killing in the world.

We welcomed a wide range of people, young and old, sporty and casual. According to the sign-up poll, fully 12 of the participants were vegans, three vegetarians, and the rest selected ‘curious to find out more’ or left it unmarked.

Most of the participants were keen on enjoying a walk along the scenic waterfront, but some opted to push themselves for the 5k run.

Top finisher was long-time OA Victoria member and vegan Kevin Park, with a time of 20:33, which is doubly-impressive given he took a wrong turn and ran a bit further! Adam Moss, a member of the UVic Triathlon club and vegetarian, was close behind finishing at 20:57. Top female and 3rd overall was long-time OA friend and supporter Lysanne Lavigne with a speedy 21:24, and a minute behind her was vegan and new FoA and UVic Tri member Jenn Marr.


The tail end of the walkers strolled in at about 55 minutes, where they were cheered and welcomed with delicious vegan sweets donated by the vegan restaurant Green Cuisine. A draw followed, and over $600 in prizes and goodies were given out. A big thank-you to our generous event and OA Team sponsors Purica (for loaning the tent as well), Vega (free samples were given to everyone as well), Eatmore Sprouts & Greens, Oak Bay Bikes, Tattoo Zoo and of course Green Cuisine.

A big thank-you also needs to go out to OA and FoA volunteers Scott, Mary, Kevin, Alissa and Jess for helping out and making this come together.

For more info on why to consider a vegan Thanksgiving (including recipes) check out the Friends of Animals ‘Victoria Vegan’ site: http://thevictoriavegan.com/foa/ and the FoA Vegan Starter Guide: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Have a happy, vegan Thanksgiving!

 Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Monday, September 13, 2010

UVic Rabbits: Help Needed - Carriers, Garage or Shed?

Thankfully, the ordeal with the UVic rabbits has been peacefully resolved, and at this very moment rabbits are being spayed and neutered, and moved to sanctuaries.

A little more help is needed. First, if anyone has an unused, small dog or cat carrier, the organizers need more for transporting the rabbits.

Also, a shed or garage is needed to temporarily house a number of the rabbits after their operations. This requires no effort on the part of the home-owner, rabbit volunteers will take care of everything, but a spot is needed to keep the rabbits for a few days after their surgery. Do you have such a spot?

If you can help with either of these, please email Bill: sedgewick@shaw.ca, who’s been a tremendous help in organizing these aspects. For more info on the UVic rabbit situation, visit UVicBunnies.org

Thanks so much!

UPDATE, 9/14:

Thanks to those who have offered carriers and space, please keep them coming! Note that they don't have to be brand new, used carriers are fine as well. Help with transport, like a minivan or covered truck, would also be useful.

Also, a story in the Tuesday Times Colonist: http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Antibiotics+mess+your+stomach+study+finds/3522275/story.html

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Recent Noteworth Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are great way for communicating ideas and messages, here are two recent ones.

The first comments on the recent demonstration from PETA here in Victoria:
Sexist and sexy are not the same
By Laura Filipovic,
Times Colonist
August 21, 2010
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/Sexist+sexy+same/3426796/story.html

I was dismayed to see the Times Colonist giving credence to the nearly naked female PETA activists on display Monday by publishing their picture.

Replicating the same image that Pamela Anderson did with her controversial PETA ad a month or so back, these women once again proved that PETA seems to only stoop to sexist ploys in order to gain attention.

By reducing women to animals and body parts, the nudity of these women becomes reductive; meant to titillate as opposed to educate. If the point is that animals should not be thought of as a product to be consumed, then why try to say that by comparing animals to women who are nearly naked and posing in a way that implies objectification?

I do not question these women's individual agency to use their bodies for a purpose they see fit; I call into question why we as a society give PETA as much credibility as we do when their approach does not liberate animals, but serves to offend and objectify already marginalized groups.

Laura Filipovic
Victoria
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

The next letter is in response to a comment/grade given by Monday Magazine the previous week, where they 'fail' UVic because they're allowing rabbits to be sent to a shelter in Texas instead of dealing with (read: kill) them as any other 'pests' such as rats. I would argue we humans much more accurately fit the description of 'pest' than any rabbits.

Screw the U
Re: “Report Card,” August 25-September 1
http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/letters-september-2/

Giving an F to the University of Victoria for sending their pest problem to other areas is another example of the ignorance of Victoria’s media. Would they ship rats or termites? Are rats or termites the third most popular house pet in North America as are rabbits? Are rabbits disease carriers or vermin? Nope, not even rodents.

The rabbits at UVic are descendants of domestic rabbits that were thoughtlessly abandoned by uncaring owners. And many of these rabbits will not be lucky enough to be moved out as a cull is still in the works. Frankly giving UVic an F is probably the right thing. An F for not neutering these creatures years ago when suggested and an F for trying to blame the rabbits for UVic’s mistakes.

William Jesse, Oak Bay
Thanks to these authors for expressing their thoughts and concerns, and I hope these letters inspire you to speak up on an issue important to you as well!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Monday, August 16, 2010

Dine-Out: Pizza Pi

You're invited to join other Victoria Vegan readers for another of our fun Dine-Outs, this time at Pizza Pi (1412 Douglas Street, www.pizzapi.ca) this coming Friday, August 20th at 7pm.  They make their own cashew cheese, and I, for one, am eager to try it out.

As a group, we'll be getting 25% off, and apparently that works out to around $2 per slice.

If you're on Facebook, feel free to RSVP here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139985222703861

Otherwise, please send us a note by noon on Thursday to let us know to expect you! We'll want to reserve seats.

Hope you can join us!

Also, on Wednesday night is our monthly meeting/discussion group, where we talk about various animal rights and vegan issues, please do join us! It's at Green Cuisine (in the 'side' room) at 6:30pm. Come at 6pm if you're getting a bite to eat first, there's usually several of us having dinner beforehand.

Hope to see you there!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Restaurant Review: Kissako Green Tea Cafe

 As mentioned earlier, the Victoria Vegan blog is accepting submissions from readers, here's the first of hopefully many pieces from "Chris-the-Vegan-Fifty-Something"! Send us a note if you'd like to contribute something. =)
KISSAKO GREEN TEA CAFE
2027 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC
Tel: 250.370.5195
Web: http://www.kissakogreenteacafe.com/
Superb.  One word to describe the delicious vegan delights that the scrupulous owners of this Oak Bay cafe painstakingly and consistently prepare every day, Monday through Saturday. 
While this cafe is not vegan, the owners, Hiroshi Shibata and Tamae Yoshizawa, have specialised knowledge of macrobiotic cooking.  Hiroshi is a sushi master, and his fresh vegan sushi selections all feature brown rice.  I have taken several Europeans and well-travelled visiting guests to this place, and each one remarks:  "this is the best sushi place to which I've ever been, in all of my world travels!"  Echoing that, I have never visited a sushi place that offers more superb vegan sushi, miso soups, gobi salads, exquisite green teas, tofu and veggie dishes, vegan udon noodle soups, and vegan deserts. 
Even if you're not a vegan, you will enjoy their vegan offerings, and they are all easily digested.  A vegan meal at the Kissako Green Tea Cafe just leaves you feeling wonderful, and Victoria is lucky to have this delightful little gem.
Reviewer: Chris-the-Vegan-Fifty-Something

Thanks Chris!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Follow-up On The Carriage Accident

It was a busy week on the carriage front, on Thursday we saw some more media, and coverage included this great clip from A Channel:



Long-time supporter Heather Steel also had her excellent letter published.

As well, there was a story from the Interior of 30 horses from a thoroughbred breeder's ranch who were destined for slaughter because he couldn't afford to keep them.

This exemplifies a core issue: the keeping, collecting and breeding of horses. Not unlike cats and dogs, horses are treated much the same, and the same over-population issues arise. Similarly, if the breeding were to stop, we'd see an end to all horse exploitation, including the carriages; as well as an end to these unfortunate situations where a horse is sent to a slaughterhouse (or a cat or dog 'put down'). Further, is this really just an ultimatum? Isn't the message here 'buy my horses or I'll send them to slaughter?' Feel free to discuss this, or post any of your thoughts in the comments section.

Also, Friends of Animals has started a Facebook page called Carriage-Free Victoria on this issue, join us here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carriage-Free-Victoria/142240729127464

Concluding last week's activities, our volunteers were out on Thursday and Friday, collecting signatures for our petition, handing out leaflets, and speaking to people who are concerned with our city's treatment of animals. Thanks to Sarah Kramer for joining us on Friday and bringing delicious cookies no less! Here's her report on the action including some photos.

Further, on Friday in the Times Colonist there was a piece on City Council reviewing animal bylaws, but there was no mention of the carriages, so we sent the following letter to Mayor Fortin and Councillor Thornton-Joe.

ACTION: please do take a moment to write them as well: mayor@victoria.ca and cthornton-joe@victoria.ca

Dear Mayor Dean Fortin and Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe,

Thank you for bringing animal bylaws to the forefront. Friends of Animals will support several of the proposed measures described by Bill Cleverley in the recent Times Colonist  piece, “Victoria to rein in animal care with review of control bylaw.” Notably, we see no mention of the horse-drawn carriages in the article, although they necessitate immediate action from the council. Horse-drawn vehicles should be banned from the streets of Victoria, as an accident last Monday shows: there is inherent danger, as well as an ethical problem, in having horses in Victoria’s streets. It was dumb luck that no people were injured. In a stunning show of insensitivity, the carriage owner said Wes the horse would be back on the street working in a day or two -- after being dragged along Dallas Road by another horse attached to the carriage. What a horror show for visitors of Victoria to have to endure, and what terrible news for the international media to report about our city.

Nor are such scenes unusual when horses and traffic mingle.  A few weeks ago in Iowa, two carriage horses broke free, killed one person, and injured dozens, including children. In New York City last year a horse was killed after being startled and breaking into traffic, and several more horses were injured over the summer. Right now they’re forced to pull tourists around in the heat wave, apparently oblivious to temperature regulations and basic standards of decent treatment.

Victoria would not be the first city to ban the carriages, and could be an example of enlightenment by ensuring the horses are places safely in sanctuaries. Effecting these changes would raise the status of Victoria, and ensure that neither horses nor people can be injured or killed in this ridiculous and antiquated shtick.

On behalf of the international advocacy group Friends of Animals, I request that you address this in your proceedings, and I would also like to know if there’s any way I or the public can participate.

Very truly yours,
Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Monday, July 26, 2010

Discussing Animal Group Fundraisers That Serve Animals

James LaVeck, from Tribe of Heart (producers of the wonderful films The Witness and Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home) was approached by someone concerned about an animal advocacy group hosting a fundraiser event that was serving animal products.

This is not an uncommon dilemma, I have personally withdrawn support from the BC-SPCA because of this, as has Sarah Kramer (open letter from Sarah, and a follow-up.) They continue to host these types of events, and will have vegan 'options'.

James is very eloquent in how he approaches this dilemma, and I encourage all to watch:


Silencing the Lambs from Tribe of Heart on Vimeo.

Hopefully these other groups will begin to listen, and we can all work towards real, meaningful animal advocacy together.

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Monday Night Carriage Accident on Dallas Road

On the evening of Monday, July 19th, there was an accident with the horse-drawn carriages down on Dallas Rd., highlighting the public safety risk inherent when horses are forced to pull carriages in urban environments.

I've been campaigning specifically on this issue for four years now, and spoken with hundreds of people from James Bay, and one thing is clear: these are not rare events - and occur nearly every month, although they’re rarely covered or reported on. Check out our campaign page with lots more info on the subject. 1/3rd of the people I surveyed in James Bay had personally witnessed some kind of incident, or a horse in distress. Have you?

Back to Monday's accident: you can read a very short (and rare) Times Colonist report here (another report here) and the TC also features a couple photos from the crash:

Photo credit: Bradley Pompu
I'm told that Chester, one of the two horses pulling this carriage, was spooked and started running, dragging Wes (pictured). There's a CHEK TV video report on as well, visit www.cheknews.ca - see 'Carriage Horse Crash'. (I'm disappointed they left out my name and credentials in the report.)

This is an awful event to hear about, and will reoccur so long as there are horses on the street - which is no place for them!

I can certainly imagine a much better life for them than this, and Friends of Animals is calling on the carriage companies and City of Victoria to see these horses retired to sanctuaries, where they can live out their lives in peace. You can read the inspiring story of one such horse, Bobby, who was rescued from a slaughterhouse, and is now assured a safe and happy life.

Please help out by making this a topic of conversation! Take some time to talk to people about the issue; one common remark I hear repeatedly is 'oh, I've never thought about this...'

City Hall needs to hear from you as well. Send an email to councillors@victoria.ca and tell them what you think. They have been very lax in responding, so be sure to tell them you want to hear back on this. Keep writing them until they do. These horses need your voices. Tell your friends as well, feel free to send them this link, and post this (and your own thoughts) on Facebook and Twitter. Write Letters to the Editor to the Times Colonist, Victoria News and Monday Magazine.

Finally, we distribute leaflets and collect signatures for our petition nearly every week down on Belleville, across from the carriages. If any of our activists have a spare hour during the week between 11am and 2pm, we'll meet up and give out info. Email me if you'd like to join us! I can provide signs and literature:


Also check out Horses Without Carriages International for lots more info on this subject, and thank you for helping us to achieve a carriage-free Victoria!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals
Web Site: http://FriendsofAnimals.org
Victoria: http://TheVictoriaVegan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2496490922
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FoA_Victoria
FoA Vegan Starter Guide PDF: http://bit.ly/foa-vsg

First Post!

Greetings, and welcome to the new blog edition of The Victoria Vegan!

We hope to offer the same great stories, reviews and updates, all from the convenience of your browser! And with the Comments section, readers are welcome to post their comments and interact.

Be sure to 'follow' us on the right, new items should begin to appear soon.

Peas out!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent
Friends of Animals