Veegan -

Trust me, I know what it feels like to have an unpopular opinion on PetTalk. The Doghouse is a good example of me being in the minority. So, I'm sorry if you feel picked on or attacked. I know how it feels.

I am pretty in line with a lot of what you have to say. I've had this discussion before with Kater (also another educated and level headed vegan on PT) and I was a vegetarian for years and I did attempt veganism at one point. Simply put, it was not for me.

Almost all of my friends are vegetarians and some of them are vegans. An even smaller number of them are kosher vegans. So, I understand where you're coming from and I respect your decision. But I've never heard a truly compelling and practical argument for veganism, and even more so for vegan pets.

I guess some of my frustration with veganism is that most vegans have a certain lifestyle that affords them the priviledge of being one. To me, it seems like quite an elitist lifestyle that is impractical for your average person.

However, I am a HUGE believer and advocate for animal welfare. I am disgusted with the American meat industry. The way they treat their animals, from the way the pump them full of antibiotics and hormones to the way they crowd them in filthy conditions completely incongrious with their natural habitat and behaviours, is disgusting and needs to be fixed ASAP. Not just for the animals, but for our health.

I do think we should be eating less meat, looking at the way we farm and care for our land and be more concerned/aware/conscientous of where our food comes from. I'm just not convinced that veganism is the way.