Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Connecting the Dots

As a former animal control officer, I was thrilled to read Linda Huebner’s article about farmed animals (“Why Dog and Cat People Should Care About Farm Animal Welfare,” May/June 2007, p. 46). More than 98% of the animals killed in the U.S. each year are killed for human consumption. To make matters worse, animals raised for food often have nearly no laws protecting them, and most are routinely subjected to practices so cruel, it would result in legal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon cats or dogs.

If we’re serious about reducing animal suffering and making this world a kinder place, one of the most effective steps we, as individuals and as humane organizations, can take is to simply leave animals off our plates. A growing number of shelters nationwide are expressing their compassion for all animals by choosing to serve only vegetarian meals at their outreach and fundraising events.

Sincerely,

Erica Meier
Executive Director
Compassion Over Killing
Washington, DC 20016