As a vegan who lives in the country, grows as much of her own food as she can, and works for Farm Sanctuary, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America, I find, "Notes on the urban chicken movement" deeply disturbing. To enter into the business of killing, and continuing to do so – fighting every natural repulsion – until one enjoys the process, is not a “movement.” It’s simply a microcosm of the cycle we’ve all come to see in agribusiness.

I see the point of the initial endeavor being an ecological one, lost along the way, in favor of a gluttonous, beat on your chest, embrace your inner predator attitude. I wasn’t born vegan. I ate meat with wild abandon and reveled in it for many years. I can understand the passion for culinary delights. But the fact remains that we do not need meat for survival, health or even a satisfying meal.

I chose to forego all animal products as one way to improve our evolutionary chances for survival on this planet. Honestly, I thought it would be a sacrifice when I went vegan and didn’t expect it to last. I thought I would give it a try, then revert back to eating meat, but less of it. What happened along this journey surprised me. I found myself to be more adventurous with my food, and my cravings for flesh went away with every chance I took to try something new.

I also found something truly remarkable. I am constantly reminded of the interconnectedness of all things in a deeper and more meaningful way, and I understand animals in a way I never thought I could. It certainly helps working at a sanctuary filled with 750 animals who were once considered “food” and now get a chance to live out their lives in as beneficial and natural of an environment as we can provide for each species.

I can’t accept the argument that they just aren’t as smart as us, so therefore, their life has no value. Comparing one species to another, is comparing apples to oranges…literally. When I stopped eating them, I grew to understand what I cannot put into words. You just have to see for yourself. Go to www.farmsanctuary.org.