Blue Cross, the British animal rescue group, reports big increase in the number of stray and abandoned animals in the last year.
The Blue Cross has seen a 19 per cent increase in stray and abandoned animals in the last year. The numbers were made up of 979 cats, 419 dogs and 38 rabbits. In addition, more than 4,000 animals were given up voluntarily, including for financial reasons like their owner being made homeless, having to move house or losing their job.
Two years ago the Grumpy Vegan ventured along the south coast to Brighton to shop at Vegetarian Shoes and eat lunch at Infinity Foods Cafe.
Recently, the pilgrimage was made again.
Not known for sartorial elegance, the Grumpy Vegan relies upon his existence in two pairs of Vegetarian Shoes. For everyday wear, he has a pair of Spider XT and for when the occasion demands it a pair of Veg Supreme. The former last about a year whereas the latter last much longer with not as much use. So, on this trip, another pair of Spider XT was purchased. He also has an even smarter pair of Vegetarian Shoes (e.g., Airseal Acme) which, given the nature of his social engagements (or lack thereof of a certain type), will most likely last a lifetime.
Infinity Foods Cafe is opposite Vegetarian Shoes. Last time at the cafe I had the bangers and mash, which I raved about. This time I had the humous and salad sandwich, a side salad and soya latte. As is often done when sandwiches are made in Britain, the frugal art of sandwich making is used. Which is to say you spread the filling on with a knife and then scrape it off again with the same knife with just enough of the filling left to just about justify its existence and nomenclature as a salad sandwich. In other words, the humous sandwich was a disappointment.
But what was exciting to see in Marks & Spencer is a prominently displayed wall sign by the up escalator which said, “There’s nothing woolly about our commitment to animal welfare.” For example, M&S’s policies include,
Free range: We were the first major UK retailer to sell 100% free range eggs in 1997. In 2002, we introduced the policy of only using free range eggs in all M&S food as well.
Animal welfare: We’ve never used animals to test our beauty or household products, but from January 2006, no individual ingredients used in M&S products have been animal tested either.
Given credit where credit is due and M&S are to be congratulated on instituting their policies. With our encouragement, no doubt, the company will do more, which is where organisations such Compassion In World Farming play a vital role.
Scenes from Jack in the Green in Old Town Hastings, which took place on Monday May 2. May Day!
The Grumpy Vegan inaugurates ‘Website of the Week,’ a new, er, weekly feature showcasing, er, Websites of his particular liking. So, nothing much here to stretch the imagination or test the little grey cells other than to recognise outstanding Websites of various kinds. Nominations welcome.
The inaugural Website is Suicide Food, which the Grumpy Vegan has featured a couple of times since 2007.
Suicide Food is any depiction of animals that act as though they wish to be consumed. Suicide Food actively participates in or celebrates its own demise. Suicide Food identifies with the oppressor. Suicide Food is a bellwether of our decadent society. Suicide Food says, “Hey! Come on! Eating meat is without any ethical ramifications! See, Mr. Greenjeans? The animals aren’t complaining! So what’s your problem?” Suicide Food is not funny.
Shocking images of animals happily and willingly offering themselves for our consumption is shattered by Suicide Food’s ironic commentary. For example, United Steaks of America is
Honored to be raised in stinking pens—treated like meat cogs in a machine manufactured to chew them up and spit them out as stuff to buy and eat—the steers and pigs and chickens cheer on the home team. No divided loyalties for them. No conflicted feelings. Being American food is never having to doubt.
Kill yourself now to make sure you never miss the latest animal corpse, dead or alive, revealed by Suicide Food. Otherwise continue to live in your delusional fantasy that the animals enjoy their cruelty, exploitation, mutilation and murder for us to enjoy momentary gustatory pleasure.
There will be a lot of this today and tomorrow…..
Jack in the Green is a May Day tradition in Hastings Old Town.
Also, tomorrow, the beach front will be invaded by more than 20,000 bikers.
Camp green revellers to the left. Sweaty greasy bikers to the right.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, as only Hastings could offer.
