World Vegetarian Day

"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men." -- Leonardo da Vinci

Today is World Vegetarian Day, established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and observed annually on October 1 "to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism," raising awareness of how a vegetarian lifestyle has ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits.

According to a comprehensive study of American adults conducted by Research & Markets entitled "Vegetarian Consumer Trends: Vegetarian and Vegan Consumers":

"Vegetarians and vegans are more issue-driven than any other consumer group. They are first and foremost motivated by animal welfare issues and, to a lesser extent, environmental issues. Because these issues are a priority for vegetarians and vegans, they are more likely than the typical U.S. adult to contribute time or money to related causes, and they integrate these issues into their dietary decisions on a daily basis. Vegetarians and vegans are motivated by a number of different concerns, but, as a group, they cite animal welfare as the biggest primary motivator in choosing a vegetarian diet...Vegetarians and vegans have shown a willingness to make social sacrifices in support of their philosophies."

As Albert Einstein once said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

The more than 65 billion cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens and other land animals who needlessly suffer and die every year in the world's farms and slaughterhouses would strongly agree.

ACTION ALERTS

• Ready to give a humane diet a try? Get your free vegetarian/vegan starter kit from PETA today
• Sign the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)
• Follow 13.7 Billion Years on Twitter

image: PETA