I'm in a little bit of a delamia at the moment and I didn't know who else to ask for advice and since there are so many amazing people on here I thought you guys might be able to help me out
As most of you know I come from a farming background and when my pop passed away he left all his cattle to his children ( my dad and his 2 brothers and 2 sisters) and my nan to split between themselves. They have all decided to sell the cows and calves to the local abattoir after Christmas. I see and interact with these cows and calves as they live on our property and run with the 18 cows and calves I've rescued from varies situations, one of dads brothers is a cattle farmer and regularly sells cattle to the abattoir and only wants his share of the money from the cattle and one of his sisters also wants her share of the money - yet dad and his other brother, sister and mum (nan) don't really care if the cattle stay or go. I really don't know how to approach them and say something about the situation as every time I've said something to them I get "shut out" or yelled out - when I talk to them I use facts, figures and my own personal experience of the handling and slaughter of livestock but I still frowned apon.
There is plenty of room and feed for the cattle if they stayed here and they would live on our land like what they currently doing - every time I go and see the cows and calves they always come over to me for a feed and a pat and I would heartbroken see them sent away on a truck to the abattoir.
I hope you guys can help as I am willing to try anything to save the cattle from a horrific fate
That sounds like a difficult situation for you. You need to tell your family that your opinions count too- whether it be writing them a letter, or pulling one of them aside and expressing your views. There are plenty of options out there I'm sure. I hope you can convince them that the animals lives are worth more.
A friend of mine sent her calves to market today. Yesterday I helped her move them and then she told me why we did it. I felt sick when she told me but unfortunately there is nothing I can do. Sometimes we just have to stand back and lead by example. You can atleast know that you did everything in your power to help and gave them a good life while you could. I am from a farming background myself and I know for sure anything I say to my relatives falls on deaf ears. Do what you can but don't beat yourself up if you don't succeed. Good luck. I hope one day soon veganism becomes mainstream and meat eaters wake up to the reality.
I'v been thinking about this and I find the comparison between the human slave-trade or gassing the Jews during WW2 and animal use completely linked: It's discrimination and it's putting a price on life for trivial reasons (money is trivial when compared to a sentient life).
Now, I'm not sure exactly what you are comfortable with, but it MAY be worth considering. If these cows were people and you potentially had the ability to save even one of them. Would you try to? Oscar Schindler tried and it was made into a movie. Have you considered calling an animal rescue farm to see if they can take on some cattle? It would be a VERY bold and courageous move, but you could set up a covert mission and save a few cows during the night or times when your family would not notice possibly with the assistance of the animal refuge.
The only excuse your family are likely use as to why they are doing it (and you've alluded to it already) is money. Regardless of our financial situation, most people in Australia are able to at least get some sort of support to get food, shelter and the basics. If your family were in that dire a situation, there are always those who are able to provide the basics for them without having to see those cows put to death.
You are in a position at the moment where you might be able to help save some lives directly.
It's a tough call, but it is an option. As you know, regardless of your decision, we will always be here to support you through these difficult decision making processes.
ps.. I didn't go down the path of 'try talking with them' because it's always our first port of call and you've said it falls on deaf ears. When people aren't rational, we have to save lives ourselves!
