Animal activist whistle-blowers: why defending them is defending democracy

Posted on by animalandmind

Recently the Australian government has been cracking down on vegan animal activist whistle-blowers. Activists entering farms to capture footage may be able to face up to $200 000 fines as of this year, this is despite the fact that activists have captured countless footage of animal cruelty (both legal and illegal practices) in Aussie farms … Continue reading Animal activist whistle-blowers: why defending them is defending democracy

What’s the issue with ‘hero worshipping’ in activism?

Posted on by animalandmind

We hear the phrase 'hero worshipping' a lot in the animal activist community, especially with the recent rise of public celebrity faces in the movement. Usually it's described as a problem, but I think there's a little more to understand about the rise of celebrities in activism. So I thought I'd break down my thoughts … Continue reading What’s the issue with ‘hero worshipping’ in activism?

How not to debate – a demonstration by the President of the National Farmers Federation about Aussie Farms Map

Posted on by animalandmind

This week Australian animal charity organisation Aussie Farms released an online map detailing the location of over 5000 animal farms and other related animal facilities around Australia. Since its release, it has caused notable reaction among farmers, creating controversy. Following this response was a national televised debate on Australian news talk show The Project about … Continue reading How not to debate – a demonstration by the President of the National Farmers Federation about Aussie Farms Map

Coping after witnessing animal suffering

Posted on by animalandmind

Bearing witness to the suffering of animals can be powerful yet traumatic. Not only are we exposed to violence, but the empathy we feel for the victims can cause us to suffer vicariously. Add to that the vastness of the cruelty, and the knowledge that it is largely unknown or ignored by most of society. … Continue reading Coping after witnessing animal suffering

PTSD and Trauma in Animal Activists

Posted on by animalandmind

  There is a very real risk among animal activists of developing a mental health condition that not many are talking about. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - a mental health condition initially understood predominantly in the context of war veterans, psychology has since come a long way to explain similar experiences in others who have … Continue reading PTSD and Trauma in Animal Activists

A lasting image

Posted on by animalandmind

As an activist, I've seen a lot of animal suffering. From starved dogs during my work in a rehabilitation animal shelter, whose bones protruded from their skin after having been abandoned for weeks by their human adopters; to young cows running bewildered among a crowd of noisy onlookers as they were chased by a stranger with a … Continue reading A lasting image