“Hi, I’m Kate and i’m a vegan.”
Every day, I say this statement with clarity and pride, knowing I make choices that saves animals lives and protects our planet. It’s not just about what I eat, it’s a stand I take for compassion, sustainability, and a better future for all beings. But why? Well, I’ll tell you.
Sustainability
(Wexler, Josie. “Climate Impact of Meat, Vegetarian and Vegan Diets.” Ethical Consumer, 2020)
Many studies show a vegan diet is better for the environment because it uses fewer natural resources and produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces deforestation and biodiversity loss caused by animal agriculture.
Following a vegan diet has vastly reduced my carbon footprint, something I am proud of.
Animal welfare – focusing on the dairy industry.
Most adults seem to follow the same assumption – dairy cows simply make milk? Well this is incorrect. In order to make milk a cow first need to be “forcefully impregnated.” Then, for the next 9 months – like any mother she awaits her baby’s arrival. Her instincts prepare her to be a mother, that she is going to be able to care for her little one. This seldom is aloud to be the case – as her baby will be taken away from her before she’s had any chance to comfort it, and her milk is stolen to make produce for human consumption.
This shocking video shows the all too common treatments the new mothers have to endure, whilst their confused and frightened new born baby is ripped away from them.
(PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,2022)
A mother’s primal instinct is to nurture the calf she has carried for nine months — to protect, feed, and love the life she created.
“Despite many misconceptions, cows are sentient beings that experience a wide range of emotions and can feel pain.”(WorldAnimalProtection,25)
In this video we see the visceral release of pain and instinct to stay with their baby’s that these mothers exude.
We don’t accept this treatment of cats or dogs, why do we allow it for another species clearly capable of grief?
(SAFE for Animals New Zealand,PETA,20)
What happens to Dairy babies?
(PETA, “Why You Should Ditch Dairy”, 21 )
Female calves are often slaughtered soon after removal, or raised and put back into the Dairy industry and suffer the same fate as their mothers. Male calves however, are often taken away to be used for veal.
Target Audience.
I believe that for animation my ideal target audience would be anyone who is compassionate and willing to learn about the dairy & meat industries, but specifically people ages 18-34 as they are groups that are most active on digital media platforms, with “Young adults (18–29) spending the most time daily on digital platforms compared to older demographics.” (Guttmann,22) making them more likely to see my animation.
In alignment, 70% of Gen Z said they feel anxious about climate change and are emotionally moved by content about animal welfare or environmental damage. (CGF Global Summit,19)
Tone and Style.
When dealing with this subject, I think tone and style is an incredibly important factor. Having been a vegan for 10 years I have learnt it is my goal to share information – not make people feel guilty.
In my animation, I’ll aim to avoid graphic content and use symbolism – like a lonely calf behind a fence, or a mother feeling sad, to create emotional impact. My protagonist will be gentle and relatable. Aiming to empower viewers, not guilt them.
Bibliography.
Guttmann, A. “Time Spent with Digital Media in the U.S. 2022.” Statista, 29 Aug. 2023, www.statista.com/statistics/262340/daily-time-spent-with-digital-media-according-to-us-consumsers/.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). “Distressed Cow Who Just Gave Birth Tries to Save Baby from Dairy Worker.” YouTube, 11 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfvopRLAr6E. Accessed 2 May 2025.
—. “Why You Should Ditch Dairy.” YouTube, 4 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhAhvoT7EdQ.
SAFE for Animals New Zealand. “New Zealand Dairy Cruelty — Cows Cry out for Their Babies.” YouTube, 22 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcSbTqEscvg. Accessed 2 May 2025.
The Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit. “Are You Ready for the Honest Generation?” The Consumer Goods Forum, June 2019, www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/press_releases/are-you-ready-for-the-honest-generation/.
“What Is Veal?” RSPCA Assured, www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/beef-cattle/what-is-veal/.
WorldAnimalProtection. “Cow Facts: Social, Friendly and More than Milk Machines.” World Animal Protection, 5 Feb. 2025, www.worldanimalprotection.org/latest/blogs/19-facts-about-cows/.
Wexler, Josie. “Climate Impact of Meat, Vegetarian and Vegan Diets.” Ethical Consumer, 14 Feb. 2020, www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/climate-impact-meat-vegetarian-vegan-diets.