Resources

You too can be an activist for the animals!

Spread awareness to friends, family, and the public with these outreach cards. We can send you some in the mail for a very modest fee (or free), or we’re happy to send you the design so you can print and/or customize for your own use.

To request cards please email us at animalrightstoronto@gmail.com

Support Resources for Activists

Feeling burned out? Need someone to talk to? Check out the activist support resources.

Connect with other activists at events and Wishbone Animal Rights Lab.

Why Vegan?

There are many reasons to go vegan, including:

Vegans also campaign against the use of animals, including for:

  • Fur
  • Vivisection
  • Bull Fighting

Animals

Ninety-two billion land animals are bred and killed for human food consumption every year.

Most people would be shocked to learn of the cruelty that animals raised for food endure in their short lifespan. Many animal protection groups, have documented the conditions animals face in farms, in transport, and in slaughterhouses.

There are several excellent documentaries which educate, inform and help us to see the animals used, abused, and hidden from our view and our consciousness, including:

In this 10 minute clip from Philip Wollen’s very moving and articulate speech he tells us why “Animals Should Be Off The Menu.”

You can learn more about farmed animals, their unique personalities, and the horrific “standard practices” and documented abuses that they are subjected to on an daily basis by visiting the links below:

Free From Harm

Dairy-Truth

Dairy-Truth.com educates the public about the true nature of dairy production, from farm to fridge.

Egg-Truth

Egg-Truth.com educates the public about the true nature of egg production from hatchery to plate.

The Humane Myth

Many people will pay more money for animal products if they believe that the animals have been treated humanely before they are killed. Learn the truth about the “humane myth.”

Health

The consumption of animal products (meat, dairy and eggs) has been linked to heart disease, some forms of cancer, and type II diabetes. The feature film Forks Over Knivesexamines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.”

The following sites provide information on the benefits of a plant-based diet and resources to help you transition to a healthier lifestyle.

  • Challenge22 (Challenge 22 offers participants a free, supportive online framework for trying veganism for 22 days)
  • Physicians for Responsible Medicine (Health & Nutrition information, recipes, and the Vegan Kickstart program)
  • NutritionFacts (Science-based articles and videos by Michael Greger M.D., author of the book “How Not To Die“)
  • VegTO (“Toronto’s go to resource for all things veg.” including the VegTO Fest
  • ChooseVeg (MFA site with recipes, meal plans, and tips to help you switch and ditch)
  • One Green Planet (Meal plans and mouth-watering vegan recipes for every meal and occasion)

What the Health is a 2017 documentary film which critiques the health impact of meat and dairy products consumption, and questions the practices of the leading health and pharmaceutical organizations.

Eating You Alive is a documentary that takes a scientific look at the reasons we’re so sick, who’s responsible for feeding us the wrong information and how we can use whole-food, plant-based nutrition to take control of our health—one bite at a time.

H.O.P.E. What You Eat Matters is a life-changing documentary uncovering and revealing the effects of our typical Western diet on our health, the environment, and animals. It has a clear message: By changing our eating habits, we can change the world!

Environment

There is growing awareness of the widespread environmental devastation caused by animal agriculture.

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to the climate crisis.

There is a climate, ocean and biodiversity crisis. Fossil fuels and animal agriculture are the driving force behind runaway global warming as well as extensive biodiversity loss, large-scale deforestation, species extinction, water depletion, soil degradation and ocean dead zones.

Addressing fossil fuels alone is not enough — we need action on food systems too…. animal agriculture … is the main driver of methane and nitrous oxide emissions globally….

The overwhelming scientific evidence lays bare the calamitous impact of animal agriculture on our planetary boundaries and points to a plant-based food revolution as an essential solution.”

Source: PlantBasedTreaty.org


“Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet it goes on, almost entirely unchallenged.”

Source: Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret

Support Resources

Animal Rights Activists can suffer from stress, fatigue, and PTSD. We often push ourselves to do more and more, because it seems that whatever we do is never enough. However, it is very important to take care of ourselves first. We need to give ourselves permission to take a break, to step back if we are starting to feel burned out, and to seek help and support if we are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed.

Below are some resources for Animal Rights activists. We will be adding to this list. If you are aware of any useful resources please email animalrightstoronto@gmail.com

In Defense of Animals – Sustainable Activism Campaign

IDA provides free and confidential support to animal advocacates. You can contact them by phone, text, email, or chat.

24 Hour Support Line

Call/Text: 1-800-705-0425

Email: activistsupport@idausa.org

Their Sustainable Activism campaignhelps people who help animals deal with compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma caused by the tragedy-filled nature of their noble work. We support animal activists by providing emotional and spiritual resources including a support line, a monthly online support group, activist resource list, sustainable activism webinars, activist healing retreats, vegan spirituality online gatherings…”


Books

Aftershock is about the real war against terror—the struggle for a world in which nobody lives in fear of atrocities perpetrated by human beings. Every day, people who push against violence and injustice or pull for peace and freedom must face their own fears. Many activists also must struggle with “aftershock,” the physical and emotional reverberations of frightening, horrifying, or otherwise traumatizing experiences endured in the course of their activism.

This book is for aftershocked activists and their allies, as well as for people and organizations that practice high-risk activism. It includes practical tips for individuals, organizations, and communities, as well as information about how traumatic events affect our bodies and abilities.”