{"id":827,"date":"2019-05-14T10:39:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T10:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/?post_type=articles&p=827"},"modified":"2019-05-21T14:49:34","modified_gmt":"2019-05-21T14:49:34","slug":"do-vegans-keep-pets","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/articles\/do-vegans-keep-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Vegans Keep Pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PetWant to know if vegans can keep pets and if having a cat, dog or other animal is okay if you\u2019re a vegan? The answer to the title question Do Vegans Keep Pets?<\/em> is actually really simple. Some vegans do keep pets (though they often don\u2019t use that word), whilst some do not.<\/p>\n

That simple answer is quite instructive because, ultimately, like many things within the vegan world, whether one thinks having a pet is okay or not is a personal issue. Obviously some things, like eating meat or buying a leather jacket are non-negotiable when it comes to veganism; but many other issues vegans face are far more complex and nuanced. The Vegan Society offers vegan accreditation to palm oil but is palm oil<\/a> really vegan when its growth is so destructive to the habitat of animals? Should a vegan use medicines<\/a> that have been tested on animals? And, there\u2019s even an argument to suggest organic veg<\/a> isn\u2019t vegan.<\/p>\n

It is not our style here at Vegan Friendly to speak in moral absolutes or pass judgement on anyone for the way they apply their vegan beliefs. Even a chegan<\/em><\/a> (that\u2019s a \u201ccheating vegan\u201d by the way!) is doing more to help animals and the world in general than someone who eats plenty of meat. Equally, someone trying Veganuary<\/a> for the first time may well be on the road to becoming a fully-fledged vegan, so should be encouraged, not belittled.<\/p>\n

So, if you are a vegan wanting to know whether you are \u201callowed\u201d to keep a pet, we would say do what your heart feels is right. That said, here are the key things to consider and the main arguments for and against vegans keeping pets, so maybe have a good read first and let your heart follow your head\u2019s lead on the issue!<\/p>\n

“Companion Animals”<\/h2>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Before we look at the rights and wrongs and moral arguments of keeping pets, let us first consider the terminology. In vegan circles, what the mainstream world calls pets are almost always referred to as \u201ccompanion animals\u201d. Ultimately, there is no difference between a pet and a companion animal – they are simply different phrases for the same thing.<\/p>\n

By using the phrase \u201ccompanion animals\u201d, those that keep them are trying to emphasise the reciprocal nature of the relationship. The animal is not owned like a piece of property but lives as a companion. The word companion<\/em> comes from the Latin and ancient French for breaking bread, meaning someone with whom you would eat and share.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the specific name we give to something does not alter what that thing actually is, nor does it alter its moral status. Whilst some people may prefer the phrase companion animal, we will use that and the word pet interchangeably within this article.<\/p>\n

Is Keeping Animals Vegan?<\/h2>\n
\"Rescue
Most vegans would agree that rescuing an animal is better than the alternative of leaving it displaced or, worse, euthanized.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As with many of the issues we look at, a good starting point is the widely accepted definition of veganism. This states (sorry, if you\u2019re getting bored of us mentioning this!) that Veganism is:<\/p>\n

A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude\u2014as far as is possible and practicable\u2014all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pets as “Property”<\/h3>\n

There are a number of issues that have to be looked at but let us first consider the words \u201cexploitation\u201d and \u201ccruelty\u201d. The crux of the anti-pet argument is that those humans who keep them are effectively treating these sentient beings as property. A dog, cat or any other pet is bought and sold and is technically enslaved. It is unable to give its consent and is forced to live according to its owner\u2019s whims.<\/p>\n

Such treatment is inherently cruel, even if no direct suffering is caused and, moreover, the animal is exploited, being used for the owner\u2019s pleasure without ever being able agree to the relationship. These are animals and whilst they may be wild no more, the habitat they now live in is very far removed from what their natural surrounds would have been.<\/p>\n

The extent to which this latter point is true will vary from pet to pet and according to the situation. Clearly, a large dog being kept in a small city centre flat is worse off than a cat with a rural home and fields to explore but both are certainly experiencing a very different life to their ancient ancestors.<\/p>\n

Pets as “Family Members”<\/h3>\n

Those vegans and indeed non-vegans who keep pets would disagree with much of this though. Whilst they may technically \u201cown\u201d their pet, many animal lovers view their household pet, or in this case, companion really is perhaps a better word, as a fully-fledged member of the family.<\/p>\n

They treat their companion with compassion, love and dignity and those are three words that are very much associated with the ethos of veganism.<\/p>\n

Pets Cannot Give Consent<\/h3>\n

Of course, a cat, dog or rabbit cannot confirm that they consent to being kept as a companion, nor that they find the relationship agreeable. But what is the alternative? There are millions of animals around the world who would simply not survive in the wild. Is it not better that an animal is kept in a safe, loving environment and provided food and shelter, rather than being \u201cfree\u201d \u2013 but also free to die and suffer in the wild at the hands of predators and other dangers?<\/p>\n

Rescue Animals Versus Purposeful Breeding<\/h3>\n

Most vegans draw a line between keeping pets as the lesser of two evils in a modern reality and the purposeful breeding and proliferation of animals for that purpose. Perhaps strangely, this means that a vegan might simultaneously want an end to people keeping companion animals and yet still keep one themselves.<\/p>\n

The fact is that in our world there are already millions of animals for whom life as a pet is their best hope of a relatively happy, safe and long life. Many vegans feel that given the existence of domesticated cats, dogs and other animals, keeping them as respected and cared for companions is preferable to any other option.<\/p>\n

The Vegan Society state, \u201cAs vegans, we should be working towards a world in which no animal is held in captivity\u201d and this clearly includes pets. However, whilst eliminating animal captivity is the aim, we have to be realistic and practical. Given current attitudes that may never happen and, moreover, even if it one day does, it will take a long time to get to that point.<\/p>\n

The alternatives in the meantime are euthanasia, allowing animals to be set free, keeping them in rescue centres or people keeping pets. The latter of those is seen by most vegans as the best course of action from a group of unsatisfactory options.<\/p>\n

That is why vegans might both keep companions and be opposed to the concept but this means that most vegans will only ever take pets from rescues centres. Pet shops, breeders and \u201cunintentional\u201d breeders who have allowed their animal to reproduce all exacerbate and perpetuate the problem. Giving rescue animals a loving home is, for many vegans, the most compassionate response to an intractable problem.<\/p>\n

Does the Concept of Pets Cause Suffering?<\/h3>\n

Many people who look after animals with compassion and care \u2013 and let\u2019s face it, some humans treat their animals better than they treat their husbands, wives or children! \u2013 may feel they aren\u2019t causing a problem and are giving only love to their pets. But such people cannot be viewed in isolation.<\/p>\n

The fact is that there are millions of animals within the pet \u201cindustry\u201d who experience terrible suffering. Even if we leave aside any more philosophical arguments about keeping pets and an animal\u2019s right to liberty, this suffering means many vegans feel the idea of keeping pets is one that needs to be abandoned.<\/p>\n

Exotic Animal Pet Trade<\/h4>\n

The suffering comes in many, many guises. A report in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science<\/a> showed that 80% of the animals at a major international wildlife wholesaler were either dead, injured or sick (with the rest all being at less than perfect levels of health). Based on further evidence within this report, PETA states that \u201cSeventy-two percent of exotic animals in the ‘pet’ trade die before they even reach stores\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ignorant Owners & Puppy Farming<\/h4>\n

On top of that, pets may suffer from cruel or ignorant owners, with abandonment commonplace. They may be left for long periods in unsuitable conditions in pet shops. So-called \u201cpuppy mills\u201d or puppy farms breed dogs on an industrial scale, usually in a way that is hugely stressful and damaging to the young dogs.<\/p>\n

Profit is the number one consideration and this intensive \u201cfarming\u201d of animals is a direct result of the demand for pets. Having said that, there are moves to crack down on this practice through UK law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unwanted Animals<\/h4>\n

What we are then ultimately left with is a huge excess of unwanted animals. PETA state, \u201cIn US animal shelters alone, up to 4 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are euthanized each year, simply because there aren\u2019t enough homes for them\u201d. Again, this animal death on a war-like scale is the direct result of the human desire to keep pets.<\/p>\n

What the Vegan Society & PETA Say About Pets<\/h2>\n
\"Couple
Sadly, many Beagles are used for animal testing. Here is a happy rescue Beagle with his humans!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Vegan Society and PETA seem to represent the vegan consensus on this issue and we have to agree with them. Whether they have shaped the consensus or simply echo the natural thoughts of many vegans is hard to know. In short, we feel that:<\/p>\n