Elizabeth and Buda

Elizabeth Collins inadvertently witnessed two slaughter videos in 2007 while watching television (MNN).  Although she was not eating flesh nor drinking milk, she had not yet understood the breadth of animal commodification. She had also decided to avoid leather, and searching for vegetarian shoes led her to animal websites, including a link to Earthlings.  While it took her awhile to build up her courage to actually watch the film, she quickly bought it.  She was sobbing just from watching the trailers for the film, and in conjunction with the slaughter films, she knew it would be horrific.  To gather information, along with her courage, she went on the forums for the film, and started hearing more and more about veganism.   She felt compelled to watch the film, although there was a corresponding dread to doing so, something most sensitive people may well understand.  In the interim between the purchasing and the viewing of the film, she began buying “free range” eggs, thinking it would eliminate suffering.  Her education was about to begin.

One night, she finally got her courage up and watched the entire film.  Again, she went back to the forums, because the experience of watching the film was so devastating.  The vegan advocacy on the Earthlings forum helped her to take her first step towards becoming vegan.  After learning as quickly as she could about animals and their suffering, she decided she needed to dedicate herself to non-violent vegan education, which led then her to podcasting.  Being alone in her struggle to understand the enormity of what was being done to animals and how she could change the current status quo, she realized there was a need for education and support for others who were learning the same things.  Living in New Zealand, she became aware of the lack of vegan education there, and NZ Vegan Podcasts began.

Buda's vista

One of the things I mentioned to Elizabeth, having listened to her podcasts from Day One, is the steep upkick of her learning curve and interviewing abilities.  On her first podcasts, I was immediately intrigued by her gentle voice and her authenticity.  She seemed so completely guileless, honest, and sincere, that I became a fan.  Then, after only a few podcasts, she became something a bit more: she became an accomplished interviewer that could captivate us all with her intriguing array of guests, from a 13 -year-old activist to the writer and distinguished Professor Gary Francione (Abolitionist Approach).  Elizabeth is one of the most genuine and compassionate people in the animal rights movement.  One of the things I most admire about her is that she is so undeterred. She told me (see full text) that she is a “ fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” kind of podcaster, but I would say she is flexible and engaged.  Her humility, openness, kindness, and willingness to approach all others in the quest is helping her build a large base of eager listeners.  She is hoping to increase her presence in the New Zealand community but has meanwhile received much support from those of us overseas.

When I approached Elizabeth with one of those questions about vegan cats, she made a very good point that I had not heard elsewhere: as more and more vegans begin putting pressure on the manufacturers of cat cuisine, there will be more options, healthier options for our cat refugees; meanwhile we need to take proper care of them.  I think she is right; I just noticed that Wysong, a manufacturer that is sold in health food stores, is now making vegan dog food; hopefully, cat food will not be far behind. She called it “Sophie’s Choice,” and it is something very confusing to many of us animal lovers.  She also noted that we are facing these dilemmas because of our domestication of animals, creating dependencies and issues which, in nature, would not exist. (See Vegan Cats: What’s for Dinner and take the poll.)

Beautiful New Zealand

Elizabeth keeps going by turning to other people in the movement and reading the positive stories of the Peaceful Prairie Blog.  “We need to give ourselves hope and encouragement,” she told me.  But what really keeps her coming back for more, no matter what, is the thought of the suffering of the animals. It keeps her own grief in check, as it pales in comparison to theirs. She remains optimistic because of her own experience, shifting from non-vegan to veganism with the right information; she believes that when other people learn the truth, they, too will change.  ”I feel lucky to have received this information, not special or superior – lucky.  I want to spread the luck.  And spread the love.”

I want that peaceful world she is working so hard to give us; I want it for all of us. I especially want it for my little grandson and the world he will inhabit with all his fellow creatures.  But one thing I do have now, thanks to the Internet, iTunes, and Elizabeth Collins, is the beginning of an international community of compassionate people, working to end suffering.  One blog, one article, one podcast at a time.

To read the full text of my interview with Elizabeth, go here.

To download her podcasts, go to NZ Vegan Podcast or iTunes

To read her blog, go to NZ Vegan Podcast here.

To follow her on Twitter, go here.

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