We Animals Media

"The animal agriculture industry is now involved in multiple multimillion-dollar efforts with universities to obstruct unfavorable policies as well as influence climate change policy and discourse. These efforts have downplayed the livestock sector’s contributions to the climate crisis, minimized the need for emission regulations and other policies aimed at internalizing the costs of the industry’s emissions, and promoted industry-led climate ‘solutions’ that maintain production.” https://lnkd.in/e8FP4fWr

Calgary, this is no way to treat a baby. In 2009, the Vancouver Humane Society launched an awareness campaign to highlight the cruelty of calf-roping at The Calgary Stampede. The photograph used in this campaign was captured by our founder, Jo-Anne McArthur, at The Stampede in 2006. The ad succinctly illustrates what many of us overlook amidst the chaos of these events: rodeo pins a vulnerable baby animal against a bully and calls it "entertainment." Today, in 2024, calf-roping, now referred to as tie-down roping, still persists at the Stampede. This year, the calf roping event is sponsored by Halliburton. "It's basic human instinct to protect the young. And not just our own. Whether it's puppies, kittens, cubs or calves, the vulnerability speaks to us all. Well some of us" the ad reads. It's time to end calf-roping at The Calgary Stampede. ➡ Access rodeo visuals on our Stock Platform for your advocacy: https://lnkd.in/eACHVdSi #Calgary City of Calgary Tourism Calgary #CalgaryStampede

We are thrilled to finally announce our second Animal Photojournalism Fellow for 2024 is Ira Moon. Ira Moon is an undercover investigator and animal photojournalist who has worked in industrial animal use facilities across Turtle Island (North America). Because of the nature of their work, we won’t be showing their face or revealing their true identity. Ira has worked alongside both human and nonhuman labourers at factory farms and witnessed the exploitation of both firsthand. These experiences and deep participation in other social causes have informed Ira’s belief that all issues intersect and that no one is free until everyone is free. "I’m grateful to be trusted to explore this challenging perspective. To receive guidance, support, and critical feedback from some of the very best animal storytellers is a gift I will deeply cherish, and one I hope to pay forward in this pursuit of total liberation.” ― Ira Moon, 2024 Animal Photojournalism Fellow Read about Ira's Fellowship project ➡ https://lnkd.in/gQv-f5Mt

At We Animals Media, we often grapple with the ethics of displaying photographs that may distress viewers. Yet, ironically, the industries depicted are often those which are widely supported. The photograph blurred is difficult to look at, yet it depicts standard practices in foie gras production. The suffering of the bird is palpable. A man's hand is firmly wrapped around her neck, restricting her movement. Her eyes are wide open as a tube is brutally shoved down her throat to feed her calorie-dense food - to fatten her liver to ten times its natural size. This bird is being farmed specifically for slaughter, her liver destined to become the so-called gourmet French delicacy known as foie gras. (This photograph, unblurred, can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/egycY8Ca) Photographs of cruel practices exist to prompt us, as consumers, to make better choices. They exist because these animals, trapped within our food system, deserve to have their suffering acknowledged. When we know better—when we see—we can do better. After weeks of investigation, our friends at Animal Equality have revealed that the International Olympic Committee – IOC is serving foie gras at the Olympics— a product so cruel many countries are working to ban its production and sale. The #OlympicGames represent, in many ways, the best of us: the ability to come together, strive for greatness, and inspire future generations. The decision of the Olympic Committee to serve foie gras—derived from the force-feeding of innocent animals—goes against the spirit of the Olympic Games. If it's too distressing for consumers to see this photograph, the logic follows that it's not a product that should be served. Join us in calling on the Olympic Committee to remove foie gras from all menus.

We're approaching the peak of bullfighting and rodeo season — events that involve immense animal cruelty and suffering yet continue to be promoted and capitalized on by companies, tourism agencies, and even governments active on this platform. Society is slowly becoming enlightened about animal behaviour and their enthralling, complex sentience. This raises the question: why are rodeos and bullfights, which use, scare, manipulate, injure, and kill animals, still being presented as cultural and entertainment events? "We all need to speak up against animal uses in entertainment. Rodeos, circuses, bullfights, horse races - the animals do not choose to be carted around, separated, used, injured, or killed. The cultural excuse is a poor one. By definition, cultures evolve. It's time to live as the enlightened society that we can be and leave the use of animals in entertainment behind." – Jo-Anne McArthur, photojournalist, and We Animals Media founder What you can do ➡️ Speak up. Don't attend these events. Politely let tourism companies know these events should not be promoted. Encourage others to do the same. It's a great first step. For NGOs and media, our visuals are available for your advocacy through our free stock platform. Our photojournalists are also available for quotes and interviews. Photos by Jo-Anne McArthur, karol orzechowski and Wes Burdett of We Animals Media. Access these visuals on our Stock Platform: https://lnkd.in/e3KWvjgA

As always, we had an amazing time at the Animal & Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in Washington, DC, connecting with both new and familiar voices dedicated to ending animal suffering. If we didn’t get a chance to connect with you and you’re interested in discussing how we can work together, or you just want to say hi, we’d love to hear from you! ➡️https://lnkd.in/eH8eqPak A profound thank you to the AVA team—Julia Reinelt, Aneeha Patwardhan, Amie Albright, Taylor Waters—and all the volunteers who make this incredible event possible. Photo: Our Managing Director Lisa Amerongen at the Networking for Introverts and Extroverts workshop led by Sofia Balderson. Photo credit to AVA.

A big congratulations to our founder, Jo-Anne McArthur, for being named one of the 45 artists to be featured at the Photo Vogue Festival in Milan! We're thrilled to bring necessary animal stories to new audiences through this remarkable exposure. https://lnkd.in/e4pxhdiX

Get exclusive first access to We Animals Media's latest visuals and stories. Our Stock Alerts newsletter keeps you updated on the newest stock content, delivered monthly straight to your inbox. Stay informed with Stock Alerts ➡ https://lnkd.in/g6yjKM_n

Come work with us! 🧡 We are looking for a Fundraising Campaign Specialist to join our team. This role will oversee the growth and stewardship of our individual donor base, working closely with our Founder & President and Communications team. Learn more ➡ https://lnkd.in/e8BekP5f #Hiring #FundraisingSpecialist #VeganJobs

Ocean and aquatic life advocates, explore our curated collection of visuals for #WorldOceansDay 🦈 June 8 is World Oceans Day, an annual United Nations (UN) event dedicated to celebrating the ocean and the vital systems that it supports. This World Oceans Day, help tell the stories of aquatic life sentience and suffering. As always, our visuals are available for free to anyone working to inspire compassion, conversation, and a change in the tide. https://lnkd.in/gcuNrBPY