{"id":767657,"date":"2022-04-02T07:39:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-02T11:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=767657"},"modified":"2022-04-02T08:20:07","modified_gmt":"2022-04-02T12:20:07","slug":"the-gift-of-death-how-ethical-is-animal-gifting-through-charities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=767657","title":{"rendered":"DEADLY GIFTS: How ethical is farm animal ‘gifting’ through food aid charities?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

World Vision\u2019s animals and agriculture gifts include sheep, alpacas, and rabbits. The Oxfam\u2019s \u2018super goat\u2019 is priced at \u00a325. Christian Aid\u2019s charity gifts catalog mentions a cow, with a minimum cost of \u00a3187.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\n

CHRISTINE RO:<\/strong> It seems like a ‘fun’, yet ‘concrete’, kind of donation: giving a sum of money that a charity will use to buy a goat, a cow, chickens, or other livestock that could improve the nutrition and finances of someone living in poverty in a lower-income country…<\/em><\/p>\n

A number of international development charities have started such gifting programs. The description of Oxfam\u2019s \u2018super goat\u2019, priced at \u00a325, gives the example of a Kenyan farmer whose livelihood has been ravaged by climate change and needs a little help to recover. World Vision\u2019s animals & agriculture gifts include sheep, alpacas, and rabbits. Christian Aid\u2019s charity gifts catalog mentions a cow, with a minimum cost of \u00a3187, that could help Bangladeshi families…<\/em><\/p>\n

But not everyone is on board. The Animal Save Movement, a network of animal rights activists, has started a campaign called\u00a0Stop Animal Gifting<\/a>, seeking to end these charity donation programs. They\u2019re arguing that development organizations should be supporting plant-based agriculture, in light of the climate, animal welfare, and health issues associated with animal agriculture…<\/em><\/p>\n

Anita Krajnc, the executive director of Animal Save, argues that “For charities to be involved in this is absolutely reprehensible”… Stop Animal Gifting has had a raft of activities. They\u2019ve protested at Oxfam offices. They\u2019ve collected video testimonials from countries including Kenya and Mexico, and enlisted a powerful ambassador in primatologist Jane Goodall. As well, supporters of the campaign have sent over 1,200 emails to development charities, according to Krajnc…<\/em><\/p>\n

In response to the criticisms, an Oxfam spokesperson noted: \u201cOxfam only provides livestock to communities where keeping animals is a traditional or essential part of their way of life and where conditions are suitable at the time”… Elsewhere, the charity Send A Cow has argued that gifted animals can be important sources of protein for malnourished people…<\/em><\/p>\n

It seems unlikely that this campaign will lead to a change of course in the short term. Krajnc reports that only one charity has responded to their campaigning. And in general, \u201cSo far they have not shown any interest in meeting with us”… The controversy raises questions over what counts as appropriate aid… Yet Krajnc insists, \u201cFor me it\u2019s pretty clear that all development aid charities need to stop animal gifting and be part of the solution and promote plant-based food”. <\/em>SOURCE…<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED VIDEOS:<\/strong><\/p>\n