This is an interview with an altruistic and utterly inspiring man who once wouldn’t even think of owning a pet. Eddie Lama, founder of Oasis Sanctuary in Upstate New York, is a vegetarian and animal advocate; but he hasn’t always been. You can learn more about him in the documentary of his move to becoming an animal advocate in “The Witness”.

Courtney: As a child growing up in the Bronx, did you ever want a pet?

Eddie: Not at all. As a matter of fact, I couldn't understand why people would want one. I guess I just wasn't tuned in to anybody outside myself.

When you first became a vegetarian, what was the initial reaction you got from friends and family?

Utter disbelief, because through the years, my diet had established me as a consummate carnivore. As a matter of fact, I had a special seat at the local steakhouse!

Were your friends and family at all supportive of your new vegetarian lifestyle?

As my friend Jim LaVeck, the producer of “The Witness” (www.tribeofheart.org) says, “It's hard to be a prophet in your own land.” However, after the initial shock wore off, many family members and friends became intrigued. A few have succumbed to the vegetarian lifestyle after learning what happens to animals (as narrated by myself at the dinner table!).

What made you realize that so many lives were being taken every day for the sake of our food, clothing, etc., and made you feel the need to do something about it?

I had my awakening with a cat. I guess you could say I was “smitten by a kitten.” I made an emotional bond that was never there before. You could say it was the beginning of love for beings outside myself and outside my species. It was through my cat that I realized that animals were much more than I ever thought they were. They had feelings, likes, and dislikes. My cat, Bagel, was the motivator for my becoming vegetarian as I recounted in the documentary “The Witness.” Bagel was sitting on my lap while I was being invited to dinner at my brother's house. I was petting Bagel and I felt his hind leg which looked and felt very much like the chicken legs and drumsticks I was so used to eating. When I got to my brother's house, I looked at the food that was on the table, which happened to be the vestiges of a chicken. I looked at that drumstick and thought back to Bagel's leg and it was there that I made the connection that the food that I was eating was another sentient animal, very much like Bagel. I guess you could say it was a moment of grace and clarity when my brain could not make a rational and logical distinction between the chicken on the table and the cat on my lap.

What first gave you the idea to open up a safe place, or sanctuary, for the many strays in New York?

Well, when I got involved with rescuing animals as a result of my awakening, I ran into quite a few needy critters who I successfully placed in loving homes. However, the critters kept on coming, but the loving homes weren't easy to find. Hence, the birth of Oasis Sanctuary providing a loving home, temporary at times and permanent for some. It's a place where there are many sad tales, but with happy endings.

What gave you the idea to have "guests" (recovering alcohol and drug addicts) working at the sanctuary?

Being involved with that community through the years, I felt that many people who have been afflicted and ravaged by the disease of addiction needed an opportunity to help themselves. I thought Oasis could offer this opportunity for these people as a kind of safe-haven where people could work in a drug-free, alcohol-free and violence-free environment while helping others (the animals) even less fortunate than themselves. I believed that this interaction between rescued four-legged and "rescued" two-legged would have a magical result. Indeed, there is a wonderful symbiosis that occurs at Oasis.

As an animal rights activist and vegetarian, do you get criticized a lot for what you do? If so, how do you deal with these people who refuse to see things the way you do?

Yes. As an activist in any endeavor, one is usually outside the mainstream and whenever that happens we stand out as targets, so to speak. I guess it's a price to pay when one does this. However, it has also been an equally gratifying experience when I feel that I've made a positive difference in this world. People are at different stages in their awareness and in their perceptions on different issues, including that of animals. I feel the only way to further or advance the issue of the plight of the animals is through education and, most importantly, by being an example for others through my vegetarian diet and doing my best to live as compassionately as possible; to include all beings into my circle of compassion.

Do you have any more plans for the sanctuary in the future?

We plan to become more of an educational facility and influence the community through outreach and other learning programs such as school visits to the farm, lectures, and presentations. If anyone would like to learn more about Oasis, or would like to adopt an animal from us they can visit www.oasissanctuary.org.

Thank you very much for doing this interview...www.vegetarianteen.com really is a great, important website and I'm honored to be a part of it. Go vegan!

For more information or to make a donation, please write to us at:

FaunaVision / Oasis Sanctuary
163 Third Avenue, Suite 320
New York, NY 10003

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