Animal Rights & Conservation

It may not seem like a spiritual exercise, but every time you do something to help animals, or for that matter any part of our environment, you are engaging in a spiritual action.  Just as important as rituals and personal studies is the hands-on work we do in caring for Mother Nature in all her forms.  I've created an artificial separation between animal rights and environmental issues only because they are such large topics.  The interdependent web of life is so complex that working in one area, whether it be spiritual, political, environmental, or otherwise, will impact Gaia in one way or another. 

The topics on this page begin with personal issues, moving to local and then to global topics.  This is a deliberate ordering -- after all, what good is a religion if it doesn't speak to your daily living habits?

Cruelty-Free Living

Let's start with your diet.  Some Pagans choose to maintain a vegetarian diet as a way to show their respect for animals, while others are omnivores.  It is important consider your devotion to Mother Earth and all her creatures (both plant and animal) when considering your diet.  No matter whether you choose to include meat in your diet or not, please consider these questions in planning your meals:

• Are you purchasing meat products from companies that treat their animals well?

• Are you purchasing plant foods from companies that are concerned about pesticides, chemicals, and caring for the soil?

• Are you purchasing food items from companies that treat their employees well?

• Are you just as mindful of practices by restaurants as you are with practices of commercial farms or local growers?

• Are you truly thankful for the food you eat?

• Do you take more food than you need?

• Do you waste food?  (Can you compost or share your scraps with other animals?)

In addition to food, there are questions to consider regarding the chemicals you use to clean your house and the fabrics used to make your clothes.  Don't know where to start with such topics?  To learn more about cruelty-free living check out these sites:

Vegan and Alternatives - The Animal Spirit

All household needs - Maine Animal Coalition

Lifestyle Issues -  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Local Animal Rights & Conservation

Because the readers of Solitary-Pagan.net may be anywhere in the world, it is difficult to make specific statements about local situations.  Here is a chance to reflect on your personal habitat.  Do you do anything in your daily life to sustain or support domestic or wild animals in your area?    

• What animals are native to your area?

• Are the rivers and creeks in your area clean enough to sustain wildlife?

• What are the hunting laws in your area?

• Where is the closest animal shelter for small animals? Large animals?

• Where do these shelters get operating funds? 

• Are there any "no kill" animal shelters in your area?

• Do the local shelters need volunteers? Donations of food, litter, or money?

• Is there a zoo in your area?  Are the animals treated well?

Have you considered donating money, food, and/or time to your local animal shelter, chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), or HSUS (Humane Society of the United States)?

Global Animal Rights & Conservation

This domain is huge and multifaceted.  Whether you are drawn to help animals used and abused in research and industry or endangered habitats and endangered species, I believe that as citizens of the Earth we have an obligation to be informed and involved as much as we can. 

You can find directories for Animal Rights websites at Yahoo! Animal Rights and Google Animal Welfare.

There are also many organizations with websites you can explore for specific information.  Some of the more popular ones are:

Monetary Donations

Give.org, service of the Better Business Bureau, and Charity Navigator can help you choose charities with sound financial practices.  You might want to check those before you donate money to any nonprofit organization.