Is it wrong to use wool to knit? I love to knit but want to keep from hurting
animals. This confuses me because sheering sheep doesn't hurt them, right?
And most animal product are made only after an animal is killed and wool is
not. I was just wandering what other people thought.
--Meggie
ANSWERS:
Jessica, age 16: Being vegan does not only apply to diet; it is a lifestyle in itself.
One that includes self determination in steering clear of supporting animal
cruelty in any way. One way is avoiding buying/wearing wool. While
it is true the sheep is not killed for its wool, oftentimes they are
injured quite significantly in the process. The sheerers are paid according to the amount of wool they produce and
how quickly. Well, sheep aren't keen to being sheered sometimes, and the
sheerers do whatever they can to control them and sheer them quickly, like a
production line. The sheep are cut, punched and harmed during this process,
and this is the whole reason why vegans do not wear wool. Also for the fact
that it simply comes from an animal! Many vegans believe that it would be
unethical of us to take what another animal has made for itself (ie honey
with bees).
Liz, age 22: These articles express my views on the topic: What's Wrong With Wool? and Veg Wears.
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