Where does the milk, eggs or meat we eat come from? 

From animals, of course. Although it may seem obvious, it is only relatively recently that people have been thinking about it, and also about the fact that animals used for consumption feel. As a result, many people want to continue to enjoy these products but under the idea of "treating these animals well".

But is it possible to use an animal without making them suffer? Is "animal welfare" viable when we talk about ending their lives for the enjoyment of others? What are we really assessing to analyze this? 

Let's start at the beginning. We must know the animals, know what they are like, to understand their needs.

The Sanctuary Igualdad is a place where we can get to know the real life of animals considered "farm animals", their emotional life, their good days and their bad days. To know when they are hungry, to know the suffering that illness, loneliness or the loss of a loved one causes them. In short, learn what they need to not suffer and be happy.

These issues seem obvious, but rarely do people understand the consequences that should follow. However, experience shows us that when we have the opportunity to meet a cow, a hen or a pig directly, we can better understand the enormous suffering that would cause them to continue living in the farms from which they were rescued, and of course, the enormous damage it would mean for them to lose their lives to satisfy human tastes.

Companies that exploit animals do not want us to know them on an individual level. They try to make us believe that they are all the same, that they all have the same needs, and of course, that "they are made to offer us their products". This loss of individuality of animals favors the vision of them as resources, and helps to perpetuate the speciesist relationship we have with them. We want to continue exploiting them, but with a clear conscience, inventing a "welfare" that we would never accept for ourselves or for animals such as dogs and cats with whom we live.

In addition to animals that are victims of animal exploitation, sanctuaries also sometimes receive animals that used to live in the wild, but had a problem that caused them to need help from humans. Many wild animals are in this situation, but they are not lucky enough to meet someone on their way who can pick them up or help them. This teaches us that any suffering being, whatever their situation, deserves to be helped. Fortunately, there are places like the Sanctuary Igualdad, which are in charge of providing them with a dignified life, where their needs are taken care of.

Helena Rivera (AV editorial team)

Work by Gabriela Penela.

Published in February 2023