Catskill Animal Sanctuary
My life was turned upside down in 2013 when I visited the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties, NY. Until that day, I thought I was an animal lover and a person who longed for everyone on earth to have enough food and water to survive. I thought I had been living in harmony with my morals, but I soon discovered I was doing the exact opposite. My omnivore diet and lifestyle were two of the leading actions contributing to the torture and murder of defenseless animals and the hunger of my fellow humans.
A year later, I find it hard to go about my day without thinking of the animals, human and non-human alike, that are suffering at any given moment. In the last fifteen years,very few things have brought me to tears, but the last eight months have been filled with them. After that day at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, I have embarked on a journey to educate myself through YouTube videos, documentaries, articles, and personal investigation. I’ve seen the good and the bad, but it all has shaken my foundation to its core.
Time for Change
Since that fateful day in 2013, I have adopted a vegan lifestyle, educated those around me that wanted to learn more, and started Vegaprocity. Still, I don’t feel I’m doing enough yet. How could I? I live a relatively happy and prosperous life, while at this very moment, hundreds of millions of animals live in squalor. Nothing I do could ever be enough to atone for these tortured souls.
The hardest time of the day for me is usually at night. This is when the despair can be so powerful I can’t see a peaceful way to solve the problem. A good night’s sleep can give me better perspective in the morning, but the nights are difficult. One particular night, I couldn’t fall asleep and made this video instead. It took four hours to make, but by the time it was finished, the anger and sadness had been expressed. It was therapeutic for me.
In an attempt to meet other vegans and find a way to channel some of my emotions, I recently decided to search for meet-ups in my area. Fortunately, I was able to find a candlelight vigil at a local slaughterhouse, a film screening of The Ghosts In Our Machine, and a presentation by Will Tuttle, the author of The World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony, all in the same week! I am hopeful that meeting likeminded people and participating in these events will give me a better sense of how I can help end suffering in this world.
Despite the occasional sadness and despair, I am eternally grateful for that day at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. I feel like I have gotten my soul back and that I finally have a purpose in this life. At times, acceptance can be hard, and anger can take hold of me. I’ve found the key is to remember this is such a small time period in the grand scheme of things, and that as fast as animal agriculture and exploitation started, it can also end.
Never stop fighting for what you believe in and treat others with vegaprocity.
What do you do to resolve this apparent injustice in the world we live in?
zoe morris says
i have no idea if this is going to brian or not, but i just wanted to say (whoever is reading this) that i was so moved by the article i found about his trip to the catskills. i adore you and what you are doing for the animal rights and vegan communities. the brave, brave animals do not have a voice and you are acting as that voice – you are one of their heros.
i wrote an entry to my blog about similar feelings – i hope you (whoever this is) can take the time to read it. my huge wakening was after watching vegucated – i cried, and cried, and cried. i can still easily be brought to tears when those images flash through my mind.
http://thenonsenseofzoe.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html
again, people like you and the family of esther (from the esther effect) are sending such strong, huge messages. i do what i can by educating friends, answering questions when i’m presented with them, posting stuff on my facebook page, sharing yummy recipes, but i wish i could do so much more. i wish i could save all of them. i’ve had some friends cut out some meat and interested in going vegan, but there are some that mock me, and that’s okay – it doesn’t bother me that much.
i just wanted to thank you so very much from the bottom of my little heart for all that you do. thank you for spreading your message and your love.
zoe
Brian Maida says
Thanks for all that you do
Brian
Founder, vegaprocity.com
Carlee Carbone says
Wow, I am not vegan, but I am vegetarian. Besides the whole vegan part, I can 100% relate to this article. I feel the exact same ways as you and I would love to visit an animal sanctuary. I am so glad that someone else shares my exact views and feelings towards the welfare of animals and how they should be treated with the utmost respect and care, if not more, than fellow humans.
This sentence: “I’ve found the key is to remember this is such a small time period in the grand scheme of things, and that as fast as animal agriculture and exploitation started, it can also end” really made me feel a bit better about things, and I really hope that it can be true.
Thanks for the great article!!!
Brian Maida says
There are sanctuaries all over the country.
I am glad that line gave you hope.
Thanks,
Brian
Founder, https://vegaprocity.com
Tami says
I agree with every word! Going vegan was not difficult, but learning to live in a world where I can so clearly see the suffering of such innocent creatures has nearly destroyed me. The issue is too big.. I am only one person… People I used to consider “good moral people” refuse to see this situation as a problem despite abundant evidence. Even “animal lovers” don’t seem to get it. Ever been to a dog rescue event that involved roasting a pig??? It is all so overwhelming. My only solace is knowing that so many people like yourself seem to be suddenly coming to this decision. I believe this movement is taking off. Sadly not fast enough for all the farm animals still living and dying in torturous conditions. Stay strong and thank you for all your efforts to promote this movement. Namaste. <3
Brian Maida says
Keep up the good work. It is all going to pay off if we keep the movement strong and growing.
Thanks,
Brian
Founder, vegaprocity.com