Conn C.A.R.E.S.: Students Develop an Organization to Recognize Animal Rights

Over a year ago, when Selena Sobanski ’16 and Katy Fitzsimmons ’16 each decided to live a vegan lifestyle, the animal rights activists found solace in their own individual choices to refrain from engaging in behavior that supports systems of inhumane and unethical treatment of animals. The two juniors realized their shared ideology in a Bio Lab their sophomore year, and this year they founded Connecticut College Animal Rights and Equality Society (Conn CARES) to foster a community of activists and animal-lovers and provide a space for these students to come together and share ideas and raise awareness.

Fitzsimmons noted, “Animal rights are not discussed on campus frequently, though many people are concerned with related topics, like Forest Justice and Oceana. We feel that animal rights is not only an important topic to discuss, but that people who are invested in the cause need a community to support them.” The purpose of Conn CARES, first and foremost, is to provide this community for animal rights activists and allow them to collaboratively work on ways to raise awareness and effect change.

Sobanski related the mission of the group: “Katy and I wanted to form this student organization to educate the campus community on the hidden atrocities of animal agriculture and animal exploitation in every other facet of human society. We want to show our peers the truth, and provide resources for enjoying a cruelty-free lifestyle.” For Sobanski and Fitzsimmons, this mission also includes eradicating the concept that animals are inferior to humans, as this belief justifies their exploitation.

So far this semester, Conn CARES has hosted the screening of the documentary Speciesism: The Movie, which brings attention to how human life is valued exponentially more than animal life, particularly demonstrated by factory farms. The documentary encompasses the main issues that motivate Conn CARES, such as the inhumane, unethical conditions endured by livestock.

In Conn CARES’s most recently screened film, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, the filmmaker uncovers how factory farms have devastating consequences for the environment. This aligns with another goal of the club: to initiate discussion on campus about the negative environmental impact as well as the health implications that result from consumption of animal products and animal by-products.

Exploitation and abuse of animals extends beyond agricultural purposes, and Conn CARES additionally plans to raise awareness of the use of animals in laboratories, the entertainment industry and the fashion industry. Sobanski suggests that those who are not willing to engage in a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle can contribute here by avoiding animal exploitation at circuses or zoos, purchasing products that are not tested on animals and contain no animal-byproducts (most products will say whether or not they do) and avoiding clothing and other items that are comprised of leather, fur, bone or skin.

Additionally, Sobanski recommends checking PETA’s website for a complete list of companies that do not test on animals, as well as downloading a “cruelty-free app,” which provides immediate access to searchable lists of companies that do not engage in animal testing. By simply refusing to support companies that test on animals or industries that exploit animals for profit, one can make a significant impact.

For those that have pets or plan to in the future, adopting from shelters instead of breeders or pet shops can also help. Many pet stores receive their puppies from puppy mills where, similar to factory farms, the health and welfare of the animals is not a priority.

For those who are interested in trying out a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, the dining halls have been working extra hard to provide more meatless options this year, and have even begun to host “Vegan Nite”. Freeman Dining Hall, the vegetarian eatery on campus, has been supplying vegan ice cream sandwiches and is rumored to soon provide vegan cookies. There are also several vegetarian and vegan restaurants off-campus, such as Pizzetta’s in Mystic or Mangetout Organic Café in New London. Today, it is considerably easier to maintain a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, as the number of alternative products has increased significantly in recent times.

In the future, Conn CARES would like to hold events and raffles, host speakers and serve vegan food to the campus community. The club meets every Wednesday at 8pm in Bill Hall 401.
If interested, please email ssobansk@conncoll.edu for more information.•