A Sacred Cause

P/C Matthew Cooper

It’s important to me to actively participate in social causes that are near and dear to my heart. With everything going on in the world over the last year and a half, I hadn’t really had the opportunity to put on my vegan marching boots and show my support for animals and the planet in person until recently. 

My health is in a pretty sensitive state so with that said, I’ve been super self isolating, quarantining, and basically living in a pretty solid hermit mode for a long time. I feel safe being outdoors now and knowing that all participants would be in a mask, that was enough for me to make a sign and join my fellow activists. 

Compassionate PDX organized the local Anti Fur March in Portland and we were one of several cities coming together to speak up for animals that day including Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, London, Boston, and Berkeley. 

Something magical happens when a group of strangers come together to rally around justice for animals. Though the topic of animal exploitation is heavy and devastating, it is beautiful how these special creatures are able to show us that there are people in the world willing to stand up for what’s right, to speak up, and fight to make serious change. 

I’ve always been an animal lover through and through but the topic of animals being murdered for the skin off their backs is deeply painful and personal to me. My animal companion, Klaus, is the furry love of my life. He is a 4 pound American Mix house rabbit that I am lucky enough to care for as his housekeeper, massage therapist, and overall executive assistant. The idea of anyone harming his brothers and sisters in any way is too much to even think about but it happens every day. One billion rabbits are murdered every year so their fur can be ripped off of their bodies and used for human apparel. It just doesn’t have to be this way. Now that we know better, we can do better, as Maya Angelou would say. We can have functional and fashionable apparel without all of the animal murder. 

Over 50 retailers in Portland alone have agreed to go fur free including larger chains like Nordstrom which is a fantastic bunny hop in the right direction but we need proper legislation in place to really protect our furry friends. This would include banning the manufacturing and sales of new fur products in the city including coats, apparel with fur trim, and accessories. 

I invite you to discover more about how you can make an impact and get involved with your local organizations that are standing up for animal rights. These precious beings need us to be their voice to help protect them, honor them, and cherish them as they so deserve to be.