A Merry Christmas Video from Our Hen House

We are writing this from Austin, TX, where we are about halfway through our trip driving across the United States, from Portland, OR back to NYC. Our trip has already brought us so much to be grateful for, as we’ve connected with countless animal rights activists along the way. On our podcast last week, Episode 154, we brought you interviews with some of these incredible advocates, and we are currently in production for Episode 155 — airing this Saturday — which will feature interviews with several more folks we’ve met along the way who are working so hard to change the world for animals. It’s inspiring, to say the very least. (And for those of you who are members of our flock, you’ve probably caught our travel vlog, giving the real vegan skinny on our travels. If you’re not a member yet, we hope you’ll consider joining.) As we drive through snow and desert, cities and countryside, vegan havens (like Austin) and alongside dry lot dairy factories, much becomes clear: No matter where we are in this world, animals are depending upon us to speak up for them. We’ve been brought to tears of both sadness and joy during our travels, and perhaps it’s the festive season, but ultimately, we hold in our hearts hope and positivity. Perhaps animal agriculture is everywhere, but so are animal activists, and so is a growing awareness that animals matter, and that societal values need to shift in the direction of recognizing that, or there will be no future. It’s that dire. We here at Our Hen House hang onto hope with all we’ve got, and we thank you for caring so deeply about animals (indeed feeding that hope!), and for resolving to change the world. Much like VINE Sanctuary recently proclaimed, let’s make 2013 the year of the Pushy Vegan! Loudly and strongly wear your ethics for all to see, and do all you can to make your voices heard. With all of us stepping up to the plate and doing something every day to help animals, we can effectively mainstream the movement to end their exploitation.
Finally, on a lighter note, as we drove from San Antonio to Austin earlier today, we decided to piece together some of the footage we took while visiting Farm Sanctuary‘s Orland shelter, and Animal Place, so that you can share in some of the glory we’ve experienced this past week as we’ve met some true animal ambassadors, and so that you can understand why it is we have hope. For these animals, the actions of those who care means their entire world, really and truly.

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