The Lives Saved Counter

Ah, thanks for clarifying

You're right, this is a little complicated! But there are simple ways to look at it... See this from the life saving counter page (www.unleashed.org.au/change_the_world/life_saving_counter/):

Simply, demand dictates how many animals are raised and killed for meat. Why else would the meat industry assault the Australian public with Sam Kekovich every year? It's an attempt to increase demand, which means more animals can be killed and make the meat industry more money. For every person who refuses to add to this demand it's estimated that around 100 animals are spared from having to endure the horror of factory farms, castrations, amputations without pain relief, confinement, suffocation (fish) and other torturous cruelty -- and of course, a frightening death. To spare even one animal this level of fear and suffering is an amazing thing.

In actual fact, the real figure is probably even higher than 100 animals per year, when you consider that in some cases up to 90% of animals killed at sea are thrown back dead or dying as 'bycatch'. That's not just fish, but crustacea, birds, turtles...

It can be difficult sometimes to see the impact that one person makes when we are a society of millions. It can be easier for some people to imagine the impact on larger scales. That's why we also have a group tally of all the lives saved by Unleashed members combined. That's sitting at 15K+ already for this year alone, and that's a pretty grand statistic if you ask me!

"For every person who refuses to add to this demand it's estimated that around 100 animals are spared..."

I wouldn't say these animals are 'spared' anything, and I don't necessarily agree that we save 100 animals per year just by not eating meat. That is far too simple. Power in numbers I know, but for the most part, there is still a huge demand, and now also a huge amount of meat being wasted (which upsets me too, as many animals go through that suffering to just be wasted). As a vegan, I've had people prepare me meat meals (they misheard me), only for that animal to have died for no purpose as I haven't eaten it. I think eventually the rise of the vegetarian diet will have a big impact, but I have also seen a lot more meat being wasted - the amount of meat supermarkets, shops etc throw out isn't slowing down, and they don't seem to be getting the hint.

Thanks for the explanation Karen, much appreciated

Thanks

It basically works on the idea that the average omni consumes one hundred animals every year. so many cows, pigs, chickens etc. so by going veg you're now consuming 0 animals a year. this equals 100 less lives consumed in a year. that's how it's meant to work anyway

Yes, it's over-simplified, but for the message it's supposed to be sending, it's appropriate.

Anyhow, it doesn't take into account activism, and how being vegan may inspire meat-eaters to choose more wisely (whether that's a total conversion, or a general limitation of meat).

There's no way it would ever be possible to really calculate the amount of animals each one of us 'saves'.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated!

Amelia, I LOVE your photo

Lies, damned lies...and statistics?