Brooklyn Goes Home
Foreword by Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE
Afterword by Simon Parry
2023 Finalist in the American Book Fest Awards
Silver Award Winner in the NonFiction Book Awards
The true story of how one greyhound sparked a movement to close the worst dog track in the world and finally found his forever home with greyhound advocates.
We once met a dog that changed the world. His name was Brooklyn. It’s hard to imagine that a spotted dog would become the inspiration for a worldwide fight; that the campaign would be successful, and that after a decade of suffering, he would come home to us. And yet it happened. In fact, the thirteen short years that Brooklyn spent on this earth would turn out to be one of the most consequential periods in history for greyhounds, and for the broader debate on non-human animal rights. The life of this one dog signaled not only the end of greyhound racing in the United States, but also the emergence of the first successful movement to outlaw an animal abuse industry that was powerful, culturally resonant, and economically significant.
This history is based on the memories and reflections of Christine Dorchak and Carey Theil and describes twenty years of working together to help greyhounds. The two of us grew up more than a decade apart, on alternate coasts, one raised very traditionally and the other quite liberally, one an animal loving “Jersey Girl” turned lawyer, the other a poet and chess master turned political strategist. This Yin and Yang turned out to be a curious balance of opposites that is perhaps the reason that the organization survived and then succeeded against very great odds.
Brooklyn Goes Home is the story of the rise and fall of commercial greyhound racing in the United States and an account of how our small non-profit emerged from to make an impact. It is also a remembrance of three glorious years spent with a magical dog. We hope that readers will find inspiration in our chronicle, and perhaps discover new paths to making positive change in the world.
“Brooklyn Goes Home is about human love and compassion on the one hand and callousness and cruelty on the other. It’s also the incredible account of how two brave and committed people successfully fought against a shameless, yet powerful, industry. Christine and Carey had little more than a belief in themselves and a shared love for their greyhound Brooklyn, but their determination has paid off for thousands of other dogs in the United States and worldwide. My greyhound and I recommend you read this stunning memoir!”—Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE; Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
“This book is a must-read for activists—full of gripping stories and inspiring lessons. Christine and Carey overcame personal challenges, built a movement, and got a big win for animals. They walk and talk you through how to fight for animals against powerful—and scary—exploiters. Read this book and see how a few motivated people organized and abolished a cruel entertainment.”—Jim Mason; Attorney, author of An Unnatural Order, and coauthor of The Ethics of What We Eat and Animal Factories
“If you think you cannot make a difference because you have little or no resources and face wealthy, powerful opposition, read this book. You will be inspired. This story is a testimony to the ability of intense passion, unwavering determination, and unrelenting persistence to prevail over money and power when fighting for a just cause.”—Carole Baskin; CEO of Big Cat Rescue
“Every greyhound is an individual. Each has their personality and wants and needs, fears and desires. The lucky ones are rescued, becoming beloved family members, acting as ambassadors for their kind in need of our help. Christine A. Dorchak and Carey M. Theil, founders of the US-based, anti-greyhound racing non-profit organization GREY2K USA Worldwide, tell the must-read story of one ambassador, Brooklyn. In Brooklyn Goes Home, Dorchak and Theil write about their successful international campaigns to educate the public and persuade elected representatives to end the greyhound racing industry. They also describe Brooklyn’s moving story as a rescued greyhound from her birth on a puppy farm in Australia, forced to race in China, and eventually, freedom living in their home in the USA.”—Kim Stallwood; animal rights author and independent scholar
“If you love dogs, and rare is the human who does not, you will want to read this amazing chronicle describing the successful fight to free greyhounds from the cruelty of commercial racing. Do yourself a favor and read this book!”—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson; author of When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie About Love
“Brooklyn Goes Home is the heartwarming and inspirational memoir of Christine A. Dorchak and Carey M. Theil, two of the smartest and most dedicated animal advocates I have ever known. Over the last twenty years, they have worked from the ground up to close down dozens of dog tracks state by state, and now worldwide. If you want an inside look into the politics and strategy of successful grassroots campaigning, this is the book for you.”—Chris DeRose; President and founder of Last Chance for Animals, Author of In Your Face: From Actor to Animal Activist
“If you ever had any doubt that greyhound racing never should have begun, no less continued to grow as a highly abusive and heartless global bloodsport, please read this outstanding book. Brooklyn’s story, along with that of his loving humans, will move you deeply and must be shared worldwide. This outstanding book is a model for what needs to be done to end all sorts of horrific animal abuse.”—Marc Bekoff, PhD; Author of The Emotional Lives of Animals, The Animals’ Agenda, and Dogs Demystified
“Human history is built upon ordinary people doing extraordinary things, a truth we are reminded of once again in this awe-inspiring and entertaining story of the international movement to abolish greyhound racing. There was never a grassroots movement for predatory gambling on greyhounds. Instead, it was driven by the greed of commercialized gambling operators and a lust for power by some public officials from both political parties. But this book is a testimony there is unquestionably an impassioned and vibrant grassroots movement to end the cruel practice. Brooklyn’s story, coupled with the work of Christine, Carey, and their colleagues, is one that will inevitably inspire you to act to do the work and endure the sacrifices it takes to help make the world a more just, merciful, and forgiving place.”—Les Bernal; National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling
How to End Injustice Everywhere
In this eye-opening and compelling work, psychologist Melanie Joy reveals the common denominator driving all forms of injustice. The mentality that drives us to oppress and abuse humans is the same mentality that drives us to oppress and abuse nonhumans and the environment, as well as those in our own groups working for justice.
How to End Injustice Everywhere offers a fascinating examination of the psychology and structure of unjust systems and behaviors. It also offers practical tools to help raise awareness of these systems and dynamics, reduce infighting, and build more resilient and impactful justice movements.
“Dr. Joy leverages her deep training and ethos towards promoting diversity and culture, as well as respect both for humans and non-humans alike. She delves into questions that gaze at us straight in the eyes, like pink elephants in the room, that the world through willful ignorance or otherwise has had the inability to see. Until now. How to End Injustice Everywhere sheds light on how the relational will always triumph, and how through understanding the drivers and levers of injustice, a just world may be closer than we dare to dream.”—HRH Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, Chair, International Board, Amnesty International
“In How to End Injustice Everywhere, Melanie Joy powerfully explains how our attempts to end injustice must be inclusive, because the psychology that informs all forms of injustice—against humans, animals, and the environment—is the same.”—Max H. Bazerman, Straus Professor, Harvard Business School and author of Better, Not Perfect and Complicit
“How to End Injustice Everywhere is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the way we think about oppression and social justice.”—Marianne Williamson, speaker, activist, author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books, and US presidential candidate
“A just world is one where dignity and rights are equally respected. The big question is how to create this just world—for human beings and every other living being, as well as for the environment. Thankfully, Melanie Joy draws our attention to the common denominator driving all injustices, providing a way forward.”—Kwami Kpondzo, Africa Coordinator, Global Forest Coalition and Executive Director, Centre for Environmental Justice—Togo
“How to End Injustice Everywhere has the potential to revolutionize how we think about injustice and to empower our justice movements for humans, animals, and the environment.”—Moby, musician, author, producer, and activist
“Melanie Joy invites readers to look at justice from a new and comprehensive perspective. How to End Injustice Everywhere is refreshing, provocative, and about time. In the age of polycrisis, a systemic approach to justice is essential, and this book is a good place to start.”—Lasse Bruun, Director, Climate and Food, United Nations Foundation
Climate Grief
Penetrating our hearts and minds, climate grief is not an ailment we have to heal from but a call to change the trajectory of our shared future. The universality, urgency, and inescapable scope of climate change leads to a depth of grief we are not prepared to cope with, and a grief that is still largely unknown and ignored. Climate change and climate grief are inseparable, and coping with the emotional fallout of the climate crisis is our first step toward dealing with the crisis itself and to building resilience. From looking inward at our own grief, and emerging with the motivation needed to make lifestyle changes and inspire others, the reader is invited to create a plan for building personal and planetary resilience. The planet can’t be healed by few people working out of despair but by many people working out of hope, care, and an openness to learn.
“‘As climate science continued to prove true, how would we cope as individuals and as a society?’ Thankfully Weaver dedicated her life to answering questions like this one so that we could each benefit from the wisdom in her findings. More than an exploration of climate change and its impact on our mental health, this book eloquently and practically outlines how to thrive despite the seemingly insurmountable odds. If one’s psyche is enmeshed with one’s surroundings, as Weaver states, then surely, we all owe it to each other to surround ourselves with this book, which at once educates, inspires, unites, and comforts. A must-read for anyone who craves a healthier future for all.”—Julie Schnedeker, author, Cofounder of Plant-Based Point
“Weaver’s pertinent observations that our inner life is inextricably woven into the life of the physical world of nature is ever more important in this day of reckless damage to most of the Earth’s ecosystems. She thoughtfully provides clues and answers to a world in which nature’s health is indeed a taproot of our own mental health.”—Terril L. Shorb, Ph.D., author, Faculty Emeritus at Prescott College
“There is no shortage of books that outline the depressing pace of climate change on our planet. This beautifully written, hopeful book breaks new ground. Acknowledging the science of our declining ecosystems, and the grief that comes with it, Shawna writes in equal parts as a scientist, activist, ecotherapist, and poet. It’s as if Greta Thunberg, Annie Dillard, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, and Rachel Carson were rolled into one. Using both Midwestern practicality and dynamic vision, this book takes us on a personal journey using ecotherapy and reconnection to the natural world to overcome our collective climate grief. In the process we find healing for ourselves, our communities, and our planet. If you read only one book this year, please let it be this one.”—Seth Tibbott, author, Founder of Tofurkey
The Be Kind Alphabet
From the smallest dragonfly to the largest walrus, all animals deserve to live out their lives naturally. They need help from us, and this book offers gentle, do-able ways to inspire a child to feel empowered, through whimsical verses. The human impact on our beautiful planet has been a destructive one that affects all life. This informative, call to action, lead with your heart and mind book, is filled with engaging drawings and poems to encourage your budding animal activist. Armed with information and compassion, children can stand “together for those whose language we don’t speak. Our voices will be loud and strong, there’s no time to be meek.” As the Zebu says: “We’re plant-eaters, flower-eaters, lovers of life. If the world followed suit, there would be much less strife.
“Along with teaching the alphabet, The Be Kind Alphabet also educates young people about the lives of other animals. This beautiful and engaging book instills empathy and understanding, and it will help inspire the next generation to live more kindly and to respect fellow inhabitants of our shared planet.”—Gene Bauer, Co-Founder & President, Farm Sanctuary
“With beautiful illustrations and playful poetry, young readers will discover a little about each animal’s life and environment, and how we can protect and nurture them. Children are given an empowering message, to make kind, compassionate choices when relating to animals that will benefit all life on Earth.”—Caryn Hartglass, Co-Founder and President, Responsible Eating And Living
“Charmingly illustrated The Be Kind Alphabet is an introduction for children into the wonderful variety of sentient lives we share earth with and the urgency with which we must defend them. Teaching kids the alphabet while simultaneously gently exposing them to the reality and pervasiveness of disrespect towards animals and a need for compassion seems intuitive and necessary.”—Coyote Jacobs, artist, animal caregiver, and author of SALT
“Anouk Frolic’s The Be Kind Alphabet is a beautiful book that instills awareness in children that they can extend compassion to all beings on the planet. The book’s unique concept illustrates that seeing animals as unique individuals is as rudimentary as learning the alphabet!”—Dr. Joanne Kong, editor, Vegan Voices
“Art and rhyme are incredible learning tools. Anouk Frolic has a remarkable talent for both and it’s so pleasing to see them playfully interwoven in one original book. Anouk leverages her strengths to spread kindness and awareness in the world, and in doing so, has created a book that enlightens and inspires.”—Jo-Anne McArthur, animal photojournalist and the founder of We Animals Media
Cultivated Meat to Secure Our Future
Foreword by Ira van Eelen
This provocative book informs, inspires, and opens debates about cultivated meat through an amazing collection of visionary and respected contributors.
Each essay in this collection powerfully presents the latest research and opinions regarding its potential for solving our current planetary crises. Contributors include Isha Datar of New Harvest, Chase Purdy, author of Billion Dollar Burger and Hanna Tuomisto one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of environmental sustainability assessment of cell-cultured food production technologies. Also included is a thought-provoking foreword by Ira van Eelen, daughter of Willem van Eelen the godfather of cultivated meat, cofounder and CEO of KindEarth.Tech, and cofounder of RESPECTfarms.
“Factory farms cause unacceptable cruelty to sentient animals and major damage to the environment. This book demonstrates that cultivated meat can play an important role in closing them down.”—Dr. Jane Goodall; DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace
“Producing meat from animals on the vast scale that is happening now is an environmental disaster and a grave public health risk. Can cultivated meat truly secure our future? Michel Vandenbosch and Philip Lymbery have brought together an impressive group of experts to answer this question.”—Peter Singer, Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University
“A thoughtful and well-edited collection of critical discourse on the impacts of integrating cultivated meat into the food systems solutions toolbox.”—Robert E. Jones, President, Cellular Agriculture Europe
“Cultivated Meat to Secure Our Future lives up to its subtitle, offering abundant helpings of hope for animals, food security, climate, and biodiversity. Curated by two of Europe’s most successful advocates for animal protection, this is an inspiring collection of essays by some of the strongest and earliest advocates for and commentators on the scientific endeavor of making real animal meat without the need for live animals.”—Bruce Friedrich, President & Founder, the Good Food Institute
“I transitioned to being an ethical vegan because I couldn’t support the intense cruelty involved in factory farming. That is why I am so excited to read this book. It offers us a real alternative to eating ourselves into extinction because of the destruction caused by intensive animal agriculture to our planet. I mentioned to a friend how thrilled I am by this, and he turned his nose up and said, ‘I don’t trust meat produced in a lab.’ ‘So you prefer the meat, cruelly produced, in the unhygienic conditions of a factory then,’ I asked, and he didn’t reply. However, don’t take my word for it, read this compelling book. It is, in my opinion, the future. Cultivated meat is more humane, it is healthier, and it will ultimately save our wonderful planet.”—Peter Egan, Actor and Animal Advocate
Pickle
The third in a trilogy of beautifully illustrated children’s books, this story about a little pig and his journey to freedom and happiness that will delight children and adults alike.
Pickle: Can One Little Pig Weather the Storm? is a riveting, fun and engaging book about a pig born into a factory farm where he is raised to become bacon served on a plate. Pickle, like all of his companions, are raised in crowded and dirty warehouses where everyone is treated without compassion for their feelings or personal comfort. But a hurricane changes his chances for a better life. This book takes you on this journey that is sure to delight children of all ages.
“I find it puzzling that so many adults happily recite numerous fairy tales to children, especially the sanitized Disney versions, even though the stories can be scary and involve a bit of violence. There are stepmothers that want to murder their stepdaughters or treat them like slaves, as in Snow White and Cinderella. And yet, children’s stories about farms and farm animals are more make-believe than these fairy tales! Children are made to believe that animals live happily on green pastures and frolic with their friends and family members. These images are so ubiquitous when we are young that we continue to believe this fantasy as adults.
We need more books like Pickle! Here is a story for young readers that is honest about animal agriculture. It unfolds in a way that is mindful of its young audience, with a joyful and inspiring ending. As in other books in this trilogy by Cheryl Moss (Gabriel and Cluck), Irene Blasco’s brightly colored images enhance the storytelling in a gentle and sensitive way that is appropriate for children. We can relate to needs and desires of Pickle and the other pigs, because in many ways, they are just like us. Pickle: Can One Little Pig Weather the Storm? is an engaging story, perfect for any child’s bookshelf.”—Caryn Hartglass, Co-Founder and President, Responsible Eating And Living
“As a sanctuary-based humane educator, I have struggled to find children’s books that speak to the truths of animal agriculture and showcase the sentience of farmed animals. Pickle is a story that allows young readers to gain a deeper understanding of the lives many farmed animals live. This is all the while demonstrating the incredible qualities of farmed animals. Pickle’s story draws you in and captures your heart while raising awareness about factory farming.”—Kelly Nix, Humane Educator and Outreach Coordinator, Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
“Children deserve to know that pigs, like cats and dogs, are smart, sensitive beings who deserve a life free from suffering. It’s tragic that factory farming robs them of that life. Pickle takes them on his journey from cramped sad circumstances to a life of freedom. Based on a true story and beautifully illustrated, children can learn that there’s a better way to meet a pig than on a plate.”—John Oberg, Founder, John Oberg Social
“Pickle is an adorable book that inspires both kids and adults. An age-appropriate story meets beautiful artwork, making this book a lovely gift for a lucky child.”—Dr. Camila Perussello, author of Food for Thought: Planetary Healing Begins on Our Plate
“As a mother and the founder of Compassion Rising, it is so important, especially in the world we live in today, that we have books like Pickle to gently explain to our children the truth about the ‘food’ we are conditioned to eat. Animals are not food, but beautiful sentient beings, and I have seen first-hand the innate seed of compassion that children have for animals from birth. It’s through this awareness that my business, Compassion Rising, was born. Thank you, Cheryl, for providing this beautifully illustrated example of the sentience and emotional intelligence of pigs. We need more books like this in the world, and we need more Awakened Authors to step up and write them. Thank you!”—Tricia Shields, Founder, Compassion Rising, LLC
The Farm Animal Movement
America is undergoing an ethical revolution involving the industrial treatment of farm animals. This book tells its stories from midwestern slaughterhouses to the halls of Capitol Hill to Ivy League universities and Silicon Valley laboratories. This is a roadmap for people who want to work to end factory farming.
Behind you stand the ghosts of three hundred farm animals killed for every year you have lived. Given the numbers involved, the most significant action you can take to mitigate suffering is to work to improve farm animal welfare. But this book is not about death and suffering. This book is about life and hope.
In less than a decade, farm animal compassion has moved from a niche cause into the pantheon of established social movements. America is undergoing an unheralded ethical revolution involving the industrial treatment of farm animals. As the movement’s workforce has quintupled, the funding dedicated to farm animal welfare has increased geometrically. For the first time in history, many Americans are answering the moral question of what to do with their time on Earth by dedicating their lives to helping farm animals.
A constellation of activists, capitalists, farmers, lawyers, philanthropists, politicians, professors, scientists, and writers are using different tactics with the same motives and goals to address what they see as the world’s most pressing and tractable problem. Collective actions previously impossible have become self-reinforcing as millions of Americans are speaking loudly and clearly about their priorities with their careers, investments, purchases, and votes. This book tells the stories of this revolution from midwestern slaughterhouses to the halls of Capitol Hill to Ivy League universities and Silicon Valley laboratories. What was once the province of itinerant activists has opened so it is now possible for you—yes, you—to dedicate your life’s work to helping end the world’s largest source of suffering.
This book is a roadmap for people who want to learn how to use their career, freedom, and resources to end factory farming in America.
“A masterpiece full of engaging stories and smart ideas for helping animals.”—Milo Runkle, Founder of Mercy For Animals and Joyful Ventures
Judaism and Global Survival
Judaism and Global Survival discusses the challenges facing humanity and the Jewish teachings related to these challenges, in order to galvanize Jews to help repair the world (tikkun olam), as required by Jewish law. It argues that we don’t need to discover new values and approaches to address current global threats. What is needed is a rediscovery and application of basic Jewish teachings and mandates, such as to pursue peace and justice, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to act as co-workers with God in protecting and preserving the world.
Judaism and Global Survival is meant to be a wake-up call, the strongest that one can make, on the urgency of addressing climate threats and other environmental threats, and the importance of Jews applying Jewish values in addressing these threats. Among the issues discussed in the book are the following: Jews are to guardians of the earth, partners and co-workers with God in working toward tikkun olam, the healing repair and proper transforming of the world; climate change is an existential threat to the world and the only hope to avert a climate catastrophe is through a major shift to plant-based diets, as that would enable reforestation of the vast areas now used for animal agriculture, reducing atmospheric CO2 to a much safer level; vegetarianism, and even more so veganism, is the diet most consistent with Jewish teachings on preserving our health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and helping hungry people.
The Humane Hoax
As consumers become increasingly aware of the animal agriculture industry’s cruelty and environmental devastation, clever industry marketers are adapting with alternative “humane” and “sustainable” labeling and marketing campaigns. In the absence of accurate information, it has never been more important to educate people on the realities behind the industry lies, and people are hungry for the truth.
The Humane Hoax features a range of engaging and thought-provoking essays from eighteen notable experts who are at the forefront of this marketing and societal shift, chronicling every aspect with in-depth analyses and intellectual rigor. Among other timely topics, we will explore how the humane hoax intersects with feminism, environmentalism, how it is represented in the media, and the affects it has on human and non-human communities alike. The Humane Hoax will leave the reader questioning everything that they have been conditioned to believe as consumers.
Essays include:
“A Pig Called Silver” by Ingrid L. Taylor
“The Terrible Truths of Backyard Chicken Farming” by Alastor Van Kleeck, Ph.D.
“Murder, She Wrote: Legitimating the Meat Economy with ‘Femivorism’” by John Sanbonmastu, Ph.D.
“One Bad Day” by Carol J. Adams, M.Div.
“Reinforcing Rationalizations and a Rooster” by Hope Bohanec
“Greenwashing a Bloody Business: The Planet Can’t Survive ‘Sustainable’ Animal Farming” by Lorelei Plotczyk, M.B.A.
“Grazing vs. the Planet: The Failed Attempt to Greenwash Animal Farming” by Nicholas Carter, M.A.
“New and Improved?: Deconstructing the Narrative of So-Called Better Meat” by Robert Grillo
“A Fox Guarding the Henhouse: Can Animal Agriculture Reform Itself?” by Matthew Chalmers
“The Ethical Vegetarian Myth“ by Sailesh Rao & Lisa Barca, Ph.D.
“Corrupting the Language of Animal Welfare” by Devatha P. Nair, Ph. D.
“Kindred Spirits of Commodified Objects?: Disconnection and Perception in the Humane Hoax“ by Dr. Joanne Kong
“‘Humane Eggs’ and ‘Happy Wings’: A Look Behind the Labels“ by Karen Davis, Ph.D.
“Humane Myths and Media: The Reproduction of Speciesism in Mainstream U.S. News“ by Lisa Barca, Ph.D.
“Modern Foodie Culture: A Celebration of Violence“ by Robert C. Jones, Ph.D.
“Honor Killing: Spirituality Bypass and False Faith in Do-It-Yourself Slaughter“ by Cogen Bohanec, Ph.D.
“Using the Deeper Dimensions of Jain Ahiṃsā to Shed Light on Dairy’s Humane Hoax“ by Christopher Jain Miller, Ph.D.
“Amidst the marketing claims of ‘happy’ and ‘humane,’ this anthology provides the truth that sets free consumers who want to live ethically and eat honestly. Concurrently, it seeks to set free those animals trapped in the agricultural system, of which ‘small,’ ‘family’ and ‘organic’ farms are all a part”—Victoria Moran, author of Main Street Vegan and host of The Victoria Moran Podcast
“We live in an era of a catastrophic and rapid ecological genocide, and concurrently increasing human poverty and exploitation. We live in an era of massive exploitation and suffering of animals on a scale beyond imagining. These calamities are intertwined. Biophysically, we cannot resolve the ecological crisis or achieve global food security without transitioning towards plant foods. Mentally, we cannot relinquish our tendency to rationalize our exploitation of humans, animals or the environment without a universal and encompassing empathy. Never before has the confluence of science, rationality, ethics and compassion been more important. As such I hope this anthology reaches far and wide.” —Dr. Tushar Mehta, creator of PlantBasedData.org
“The Humane Hoax shines an important and necessary bright light on the many myths and marketing lies surrounding animal agriculture. Violence, exploitation, commodification, and killing sentient beings to satisfy our desires can never be made ethical by adding the word ‘humane’ to it. Humane animal farming is, and always will be, an oxymoron.”—Charles Horn, Ph.D., author of Meat Logic: Why Do We Eat Animals?
“Animal advocacy is working—more dairy, egg, and meat producers tout ‘humanely raised’ or ‘carbon-friendly’ than ever before. Yet The Humane Hoax reveals that these glitzy, hollow labels hide the real and significant harms that animal agriculture continues to wreak. This anthology is a necessary, complete rejoinder to the recent locavore, femivore, and meat apologist movements. The Humane Hoax’s highly-educated authors show us in entertaining, diverse ways—supported with thorough research and approachable explanation—that a path to a better world cannot include animal agriculture.”—Karthik Sekar, author of After Meat
“Hope Bohanec, and her brilliant team of essayists, expose the meat industry’s cynical greenwashing and mislabeling for what it is: Orwellian double-speak. Read this book, learn the truth, and take the power back with your food choices.”—Jane Velez-Mitchell, TV Journalist, NYTimes bestselling author, UnchainedTV founder
“This book expresses a fiercely compassionate worldview. It refuses to shy away from suffering—and inspires us to do something. Often, food labels and ads mislead consumers and don’t tell the whole truth. The Humane Hoax will open your mind.”—Alene Anello, Legal Impact for Chickens
“This collection of thought-provoking essays from a wide variety of voices exposes a truth that the animal agriculture industry works hard to conceal. The Humane Hoax is a wake-up call to every consumer who believes that labels such as ‘cage-free,’ ‘pasture-raised,’ or ‘responsibly sourced’ are anything but a marketing ploy.”—Mark Hawthorne, author of Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering
“Consumers want to believe that the animals they eat are well-treated. However, humane labels and regulation bring comfort only to consumers, while the animals remain just as—if not more—exploited. This anthology helps shine a much-needed light on what ‘humane’ concepts actually mean for the beings they are designed to protect. In order to make informed decisions, to look ourselves in the mirror and ask if we are truly living the values we purport to have, we must know the truth. Consumers deserve to know the reality behind the labels. They deserve to know what they are paying others to do to animals in their name. I urge you to read this book and ask yourself: if you personally had to do to animals what humane labels allow, would you?”—Emily Moran Barwick, Activist, Educator, Speaker, and Writer at BiteSizeVegan.org
“As you step into the world of The Humane Hoax, you will be instantly transported into the reality of the cruel and harsh world that innocent farm animals endure second by second until they are violently killed for their meat, dairy and eggs. The so called ‘humane meat’ racket is visually exposed word by word, sentence by sentence in this collection of powerful essays. This book’s immersion into the truth behind the lies and deception of humane labeling will leave you ready to ditch any notion that animals are treated any better on so called ‘humane meat farms.’
The editor of The Humane Hoax, Hope Bohanec, has a depth of compassion for the sentience of all life combined with lifelong knowledge and experience of the issue. The fact that she’s seen and documented first-hand these horrors make her an excellent eye-witness. A staunch advocate for revealing the unbridled truth behind the fabricated labels and lies, I highly recommend her work.”—Renee King-Sonnen, Founder & Executive Director, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary & The Rancher Advocacy Program
“What would the world look like if we were all willing to live a life of empathy based on the truth? Witnessing the truth through this book is so powerful. I want to get a copy into the hands of every human on earth. A perfect eye-opening, heart-opening look at the reality of the myths behind humanewashing labels. A true wake-up call.”—Rae Sikora, Co-founder Institute for Humane Education, Vegfund and Plant Peace Daily
“The Humane Hoax makes clear the depravity of the myth of ‘humanely raised’ animal foods. The claim to being in any way ‘humane’ is simply false; the claim to being more healthful is a lie; the cost to the environment is often even worse than from conventional animal farming; and there is the added insult of duplicity.”—Glen Merzer, author, Food Is Climate and Own Your Health
“Lies poison everything. Humane hype not only injures animals by hiding the harms they suffer but also hurts people by tricking them into betraying their own ethical commitments. Coming at the problem from every angle, the diverse contributors to this essential volume not only expose the lies but also explain why they have been so persuasive. Read this book to make sure you haven’t been hoodwinked and to learn what you need to know to refute the fictions that coax so many people who care about animals into literally buying into cruelty.”—pattrice jones, author of Oxen at the Intersection and founder of VINE Sanctuary