Broken

The running of any successful venture relies on many things. There are the usual elements; finances, image, effort, belief, just to name but a few. But, within and in conjunction with all elements there lies one very important and key component. It is nothing new, it has been around forever and a day. We would go so far as to say it is far more important than many other key points. This is so, especially when referring to movements, or causes of great moral gesture. One could not argue that animals, their welfare and their rights fall directly into this boundary.

When you look at any business model, particularly one of many joined facets and the joining together of passionate participants, the art of unity is paramount. We need only to look at other important models. We can relate it to many well-known everyday enterprises.

Unity. If a school system is broken, many students will slip through the cracks. If a medical system is broken, many patients will slip through the cracks. If a mental health system is broken, many sufferers will slip through the cracks. If a child protection system is broken, many children will slip through the cracks. This applies to every form of agency and body, including the animal rights movement. If an animal rights movement is broken....millions of animals will slip through the cracks.

Unfortunately, as we sit a part of this animal rights system, we acknowledge it is very much broken. One must wonder how this can be, especially when this system is supposed to work on saving animals, period! No other motives, no other reasons, just ending animal abuse and exploitation, saving animals on the ground. There are many different elements within this movement that one expects would work together. There are the sanctuaries and rescues themselves, the activists and advocates on the ground, the vegan movement which is supposed to have but one end result in mind. Sadly, as far as we can see, there are far too many deviations from the cause and far too many egos and limelighters.

As with those involved in other systems, movements, business, there is no "me". It is not about one person or one group thinking they are better than the other. For every second spent trying to grab an accolade, put someone else down, talk behind another’s back, there are millions of animals slipping through the cracks. Animals, the ONLY ones that matter in all of this.

Many may read this and perhaps feel insulted or offended, but we simply say if that is the case we would urge you to step right back, view, listen and consider your actions or the goings on around you. If one opens their eyes and heart they will see there are striking shortcomings where there should be a brilliant accomplishment.

We see a vegan movement that is too obsessed with feeling inflated. Obviously not all, in fact, the majority know where the importance lay. But infighting, backstabbing and ego-chasing kill what should be a watertight and strong unity. Oh, how strong it could be if the animals were put first and everyone realised we are all the same.

We see activists and activist groups at war with one another. This one doesn't like that one, that one doesn't like what the other does, one doesn't like this person within the other. Yes, it is like an episode of a daytime soap....or Seinfeld at best.

And then the sanctuaries and rescues. This is what we are a direct part of, we watch it closely and witness the total and utter destruction of any animal priority that could be achieved. Again, this one won't talk to that one, that one doesn't like the other, and these ones join forces against others. It really is futile and embarrassing. We are open to working with any reputable sanctuary here and over the border. In fact, we do not limit ourselves to Australia, we will work with overseas sanctuaries if it is doable and will help animals. WE do not matter in all of this. THIS is NOT about US. It is wholeheartedly about the animals. As with everything discussed above, no-one is better or above anyone else. We should have the same end goal as the next. How one does it is one’s business so long as the end goal is the target. This end goal is so bloody important.

We need to see all these factors come together. Put down the ego, work together and start building the biggest animal rights movement this world has ever seen. There are millions upon millions upon millions of animals that depend upon us. We urge a coming together.

If a system is broken its victims will slip through the cracks.

Darren, Hayley & the Furever Farm Team.