Perspective
From Speaking Up for Animals to Becoming an Antiracist
It’s time we own how the vegan movement has supported the systematic racism that robs people in the global majority of their humanity.
Encompass•10 min read
Reflections
Perspective
Protesters, Pigs & the Diversity Problem in Animal Welfare
Allyship between the animal rights community and the Black community is tenuous, but it doesn’t have to be. Activists can organize to support all who are oppressed, regardless of species.
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
More Chickens Finding Backyard Homes During Pandemic
Since the pandemic began, sales of chickens to homeowners have been dramatically increasing. But is raising backyard chickens really any more ethical than supporting factory farming?
Policy•7 min read
Reported
Vigils and Rescues Ramp Up in the Wake of Activist’s Death
Celebrities are joining thousands of others to commemorate the life of animal rights activist Regan Russell, who was fatally struck by a transport truck at a slaughterhouse vigil in Canada…
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
Self-Discovery and the Pursuit of Racial Equity in Animal Advocacy: Introducing “The Encompass Essays”
The forthcoming collection of narratives examine how a cohort of advocates in the farmed animal movement intend to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Encompass•17 min read
Perspective
The Power of the Pitch: Top Journalists and Editors Discuss How to Craft the Perfect Pitch
Watch the first installment of our new speaker series, Sentient Sessions, for tips and tricks on rising to the top of your editor's inbox.
Policy•7 min read
Reported
At Black Lives Matter Protests, Police Horses Become Another Troubling Symbol of Oppression
Interactions between Black people and mounted police at recent protests are a stark reminder of the country's racist past.
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
Encompass Essays: Pursuing Racial Equity in Animal Advocacy
A collection of essays written by farmed animal protection advocates who are committed to creating a more just animal protection movement.
Encompass•3 min read
Reported
Sentient Sessions: New Speaker Series
Monthly speaker series bringing together journalists, investigators, and experts to explore how to report on the issues that matter to all of us: the treatment of all sentient beings and…
Policy•15 min read
Explainer
Black Food Justice Reading List: 25 Articles, Books, and People to Follow
Centering the conversation around the activists, artists, and plant-based pioneers fighting for equality in the food system—and in their everyday lives—is the first step toward justice.
Policy•9 min read
Perspective
Advocating for Food Justice During a Pandemic: Lauren Ornelas Speaks Out
Lauren Ornelas is the founder of the Food Empowerment Project, a vegan food justice organization that shows people how various issues of oppression are connected to the food system.
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
The New York Times Swapped an Image of Animal Carcasses for an Abstract Illustration. But Why?
Mainstream media refuses to document the food system truthfully and accurately. It’s our responsibility to hold them accountable.
Policy•8 min read
Perspective
What Do Humans Owe to Wildlife in Urban Spaces?
Animals in urban areas are surprising us by venturing onto empty city streets. These animals, while largely invisible to human eyes, need our protection.
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
Animal Protection During COVID-19 and Beyond: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
In a new op-ed from Animal Equality UK, Michelle Baxter Wickham calls for more individual and corporate accountability to ensure farmed animals are better protected when we return to "normal."
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
Pandemics, Liberation, and Animal Ag: An Interview With Peter Singer
Philosopher Peter Singer has been highly influential in shaping the ethical foundation for animal protection, in addition to his long career in ethics, especially utilitarianism.
Policy•18 min read
Perspective
Explaining Pandemics and Animal Exploitation to My 3-Year-Old Son
The COVID-19 pandemic raises a lot of questions, especially by children whose worlds were turned upside-down. How should parents address those difficult questions?
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
Cook Vegan at Home to Protest What Got Us Here
Cooking vegan during the coronavirus pandemic is a way to protest the profit- and animal exploitation-driven systems that got us here.
Policy•7 min read
Perspective
The Psychology of Blaming Others During the Time of COVID-19
Humans are emotionally invested in ensuring that, whatever happens, the spotlight of blame never shines directly on us. So we blame wet markets in Asia for the spread of COVID-19…
Health•5 min read
Perspective
Vegan Dystopia—“Vystopia”—on the Rise with Spread of COVID-19
Even during these challenging times, animal advocates must channel their energies in as many ways as possible to create positive change for animals.
Policy•7 min read
Perspective
Book Review: Voices For Animal Liberation by Brittany Michelson
Voices For Animal Liberation explores how personal trauma, depression, dysfunction, and addiction foster insight into the trauma of animals trapped in human systems of abuse.
Policy•9 min read
Perspective
Daughter of Cambodian Genocide Survivor Reflects on Animal Rights
A second-generation Cambodian genocide survivor draws parallels between her mother’s experiences under the Khmer Rouge regime and the modern-day treatment of farmed animals.
Policy•6 min read
Reported
Rabbit Advocates Celebrate “Easter Bunnies” Year ‘Round
Most families abandon their “Easter rabbits” in less than a year, overburdening shelters with new arrivals following the holiday season. Animal advocates recommend Easter celebrations that are cruelty-free.
Policy•3 min read
Perspective
A Feminist Perspective on a Livestock Auction
Livestock auctions reflect the gendered oppression that both humans and nonhumans face. Female bodies are put on display, meant for the objectification and viewing pleasure of men.
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
Should Homeless Shelters Serve Only Vegan Food?
Evidence is growing for the many health benefits of plant-based diets, and organizations like schools and hospitals are already making the switch. Should homeless shelters be next?
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
Beyond #MooToo: Limitations Within Feminist Vegan Slogans
Is popular vegan messaging missing the mark? Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat, explains how the new #MooToo slogan does more to hurt feminist vegan theory…
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
In Response to Harriet Hall: The White Savior Is You, Not Joaquin Phoenix
After his rousing Oscar acceptance speech on Monday, Phoenix received sharp criticism from Harriet Hall for his expansive view of justice for all animals—revealing her own narrow lens.
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
One Woman’s Inspiring Post on Judging Less and Supporting More
It's very easy to judge others. This is especially true when we lack context and information. But does being judgmental help the animals?
Policy•7 min read
Reported
Compassion in World Farming USA: On a Mission to Reform Our Current Food System
Sentient Media spoke with Rachel Dreskin, Compassion in World Farming USA’s Executive Director, about CIWF’s commitment to ending factory farming and improving animal welfare both nationally and globally.
Policy•12 min read
Perspective
The Narrative That Animal Rights Activism Is Extremism Must Stop
The animal rights activist community has had a difficult past with the authorities, but this recent document sends a very damaging message.
Policy•7 min read
Analysis
2019 Year in Review: Informing, Inspiring, and Empowering the Farmed Animal Movement
As we say goodbye to 2019, we’d like to share our successes and thank you for your continued support on our mission to increase the public awareness around farmed animal…
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
“The Best Way to Change the World Is to Understand It”: Faunalytics Is Using Research to Drive Change for Animals
Sentient Media spoke with Faunalytics’ Research Director Jo Anderson and Content Director Karol Orzechowski about how the organization is encouraging societal change through research and education.
Policy•8 min read
Perspective
Encompass: Building a More Inclusive Animal Rights Movement
Encompass works with farmed animal protection organizations and individual advocates to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive movement.
Policy•9 min read
Perspective
The Humane League: Interview with President David Coman-Hidy
The Humane League has been fighting #ForTheAnimals for over a decade, and they won’t stop until every cage is empty and every food corporation adopts meaningful animal welfare standards.
Policy•9 min read
Perspective
Mercy For Animals: Interview with President Leah Garcés
With two decades of experience in reducing animal suffering, Mercy For Animals continues to work for a more compassionate world.
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
Wild Animal Welfare Movement Takes Shape Worldwide
The animal protection movement has traditionally focused on reducing suffering on factory farms and in laboratories. Now, advocates are entering the wild to fight animal suffering in creatures' natural habitats.
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
British Animal Charities Are Missing in Action This General Election
Animal welfare matters to the U.K. public. But for the first time in more than 40 years, animal advocate and researcher Kim Stallwood says Britain’s top charities are letting the…
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
We Are All Animal Lovers
Philip McKibbin and Kim Stallwood challenge animal lovers and animal advocates to think differently about their relationship with animals from the perspective of the Politics of Love.
Policy•11 min read
Reported
Do Calls For Animal Rights Interfere With Religious Freedoms?
Animals play a role in religious ceremonies, meals, and sacrifices. Activists pursuing change to these roles face challenges regarding religious freedoms.
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
The Animal Rights Revolution: Coming to a Grocery Near You
Most people are opposed to animal suffering, and yet they condone the suffering of trillions by choosing to eat animal products. That's why activists are taking the fight for animal…
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
Don’t Bully My Breed
Pit bulls are misunderstood by humans as too aggressive, too big, or even too muscular. Should superficial assumptions lead to these dogs being passed over in shelters and disliked by…
Policy•6 min read
Perspective
Animal Rights Isn’t Getting More Extreme. It’s Getting More Personal.
Why do activists risk so much for the animals they love? Sentient Media's Matthew Zampa visited a microsanctuary in the Berkeley Hills to find out.
Policy•11 min read
Perspective
Our Companions: Princess Pixel the Pit Bull
In the series Our Companions, Sentient Media’s Ana Bradley shares how Princess Pixel leapt into her family in an unexpected and playful manner.
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
Our Companions: Mimi The Cat
In the series Our Companions, Sentient Media's Mikko Jarvenpaa reflects on living with Mimi, a black rescue cat with a special personality.
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
Our Companions: Lance and Lilly, Two Little Dogs Brought Together by Fate
A rescued Italian Greyhound mix and a scruffy neighborhood chihuahua have taught Sentient Media’s Social Media Coordinator, Taylor Meek, just how funny fate can be.
Policy•9 min read
Perspective
Our Companions: Snow the Bunny, Queen of the Yard
Every night, Sentient Media’s Managing Editor Allie Grace Garnett chases her lop-eared rabbit, Snow, around her yard. But Snow is fast – and far more clever than you’d expect.
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
Book Review: Our Symphony with Animals by Aysha Akhtar
The first book by a physician to show how deeply the well-beings of humans and animals are intertwined, Our Symphony with Animals is a must read.
Policy•5 min read
Perspective
Our Companions: Molly and Sadie, the Cur Sisters
Two black-mouth cur puppies who were rescued from a life in the shelter now bring joy to the family of Sentient Media writer and social media coordinator Krista Kihlander.
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
To Love and Mourn an Animal
Companion animals affect us in unique ways. They don’t judge us. They don’t compete with us like other humans. They provide us with emotional support, and in return, we love…
Policy•5 min read
Reported
VeganEvan Becomes Youngest Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach And Educator in the World
9-year-old VeganEvan just graduated from the Main Street Vegan Academy in New York, and is now the youngest person to ever become a vegan lifestyle coach.
Policy•4 min read
Perspective
From Human Rights to Sentient Rights: The Next Generation of Rights Thinking
If we grant rights in order to reduce suffering, should we grant rights to everything that can suffer? Jamie Woodhouse unpacks animal sentience and the benefits of broadening our moral…
Policy•7 min read
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