Rich Hardy's work took him across the globe to film more than 100 assignments. Infiltrating factory farms and the fur industry, and trailing the people that trap primates for laboratories.
RACHEL GRAHAM: ‘With stints in fur trapping, factory farming and manning slaughterhouses, Rich Hardy’s CV is not what you might expect from a man who’s been vegan for the past 34 years. He also counts academy-level football and lifelong activism on that lengthy resume. Oh, and surfing as a hobby. Now he’s adding author to that long list of professions.
Not as Nature Intended is a deep dive into Rich’s time as an undercover investigator with big name animal welfare charities including Compassion In World Farming. It’s gained pre-release praise from high profile celebrities, including Moby, Joanna Lumley and even a foreword by Chris Packham. “For twenty years, I lived a bit of a double life,” he says. “I’ve been vegan but I’ve been working undercover for animal rights groups since 1999″…
The ultimate vegan for the animals, Hardy has also been an investigative journalist. His work took him across the globe, through the Americas to film in 28 countries over more than 100 assignments. “Mostly factory farming, slaughterhouse work and infiltrating the fur industry, working with fur trappers, circuses, zoos, trailing the people that trap primates for laboratories.”
Speaking that list aloud seems laborious for him… He points to trapping foxes in the wilderness of North America is one of his most harrowing experiences. Especially given that he was tasked with documenting the animals’ suffering… Departing Compassion, he decided to shift focus from problems to solutions.
In 2018, he became head of campaigns at charity Veganuary, which created the much-hyped 31-day meat and dairy-free challenge… Following just one season though, Hardy moved on from Veganuary as the charity took its cause to a more international audience. It gives Rich more time in Cornwall… where he lives with his partner Pru – also an animal rights activist with the Humane League – and their pets’. SOURCE…
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