I hope this letter from a former meat-eater inspires people who eat the remains of animals to consider a more compassionate and healthier way of living and I hope it motivates people who stopped eating animals to share their experiences so others will join them. 

I am so grateful to you, Andrew. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be traveling to New York and volunteering at a farm sanctuary. I wouldn’t have discovered the path to a more compassionate lifestyle. I would still be in the dark about the cruelty and horrors of farm factories and slaughterhouses.

How could I have been so clueless for so long? I don’t know. I’m just so thankful I found you two years ago. I’d still be eating meat, teaching without sharing the truth, and advocating to stop the cruelty to cats with no regard for all the suffering chickens, turkeys, ducks, cows, pigs, and other farm animals. I didn’t know.

You know the rest…how I read your brilliantly written story “If Chickens Could Speak,” cried for days, and sent you an email asking what I could do to help. Your words changed my life forever. You changed my life forever. When I shared your story that week, several of my friends were so moved that they wanted to help the farm animals, too. I guess you never know when someone is going to see or read something that will inspire them to choose a compassionate way of living, and also share with others.

One day at school, one of our mutual friends came to talk to my fourth-grade students about being heroes for the animals (and participating in a kindness to animals poster contest). I think I sent you a copy of the story in the newspaper once. Anyway, it was that same semester that one of my students – a 10-year-old boy who really wanted to reach out to the animals – decided to do extra research on chickens and ducks and other bird farm animals. Long story short, he stood in front of the class for the morning news and announced that he was never eating meat again….he was going vegan. And by the time this young boy was done telling the other children about his research and what vegan meant, it was clear that everyone in the classroom that morning was inspired by what this little boy had to say. What a great moment it was.

I am so inspired by you and the beautiful work you do, Andrew. I know many people feel the same way. I want to do more, I want to help the farm animals in every way I can. And I’ll follow you and your posts and do whatever I can. Please keep us all updated on everything you’re doing and what we can do to help (like the horrific cruelty to those beautiful birds for foie gras. I think about them every day now, their fear and terror and how they tremble and shake….tears). I learned about that despicable cruelty from you, too.

You’re amazing…..a true hero for the farm animals, a leader, a wonderful inspiration, an incredible voice for these precious, loving animals.

Thank you again, Andrew. You are my hero.

Betsy Gunderson

Thank you for the beautiful letter and for your dedication to the cause Betsy. I’m sure many people will relate to your story. We look forward to seeing pictures from your trip!