MRC’s Outreach Assistant, Bird, shares on what “caregiving is activism” means to them:
“In a world that is often so disconnected to farmed animals, sanctuaries create a space for people to see animals as individuals and not commodities. On a deeper level, we as caregivers form relationships and understanding with the animals in our care which allows us to translate the stories and lives of those we care for to those who may not yet understand.
As a microsanctuary operator, volunteer, artist, activist, etc. …. caregiving has influenced almost every part of my life. Almost every day, it brings an opportunity of some sort to advocate for animals and when I can share stories of the nonhuman people I’ve cared for over the years, it’s a personal experience that others can’t deny. By sharing their stories, we bring awareness to not only the exploitive systems that animals are often rescued from, but also to their personhood, which I think is crucial to their liberation.
It’s a reminder that we are all connected. When you care for people of other species, their personhood becomes so clear that you automatically start including them in your fight for reproductive justice, disability rights, climate justice, and others fights for liberation. So to me, “caregiving is activism” is about learning from the residents we care for and using that knowledge and connection to give them a platform in our collective fight for liberation. “