Every year millions of Australian animals are exploited for food, clothing, entertainment, and animal experimentation. A very small number of these end up living their lives in peace at an animal sanctuary. Animal sanctuaries can be a very effective tool for breeding compassion. Sunshine Coast Daily recently ran a story about sanctuaries in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

It is an oft forgotten fact that in order to produce milk, a cow needs to be impregnated and give birth. Many of these calves are 'by-products' of the dairy industry and are sold cheaply to the veal industry for slaughter. Kirby's Calf Rescue, run by 20 year old Kirby Woods, acquires these calves and gives them the opportunity for a real life.

"When I get them they're often terrified, but after a while they'll just start following me and licking me and being so friendly - it's just amazing to see," Ms Woods said.

After she takes them in, Ms Woods ensures that they are given adequate veterinary care, and then adopts them out to good homes.

Another effort to rehabilitate farmed animals is Farm Animal Rescue. Here, a group of volunteers care for abused chickens, goats, pigs, cows, and sheep on their Dayboro property. They use the property not only to care for these animals, but also as an opportunity to promote veganism.

"What's really important for us is for people to see that there's somebody inside the animal who has desires, needs and wants and that when we put them in the farming system we take a lot of that away from them," Said Brad King, founder of Farm Animal Rescue "We take away the things that are special to them, the things they enjoy."

These animals are the unbelievably lucky few. Most animals born into farms in Australia will die horrific deaths after short, miserable lives.

Read more at Sunshine Coast Daily.

The message from these animals is clear: for their sake, go vegan!

Image: Kirby's Calf Rescue