As a little girl I always felt that eating meat was wrong but I'd never thought very deeply about it until yr 4. One library session I came upon a book called; Save the Animals: 101 Things You Can Do and read it cover to cover over about 2 months. I told everyone about this hideous cruelty. I remember telling one girl about the slaughtering methods of cows that became her beef and seeing her grow very pale. I realised then that I had to be more tactful when it came to educating people about the cruelty that animals are subjected to and that I wanted to help these animals. Also, a year later, reading the articles on PETA.com about the dairy industry and deciding to be vegan.

How does the need for animal protection manifest in your own life?  The main way that the need for animal protection manifests in my life is my change of diet. Becoming vegan was hard work at the beginning but keeping in mind that I was doing my bit for the animals of the world made me happy to be doing it. The other way is in my choice of clothing, i don't wear wool or leather.  I think educating people with tact is the key. If you knock the hamburger out of someone's hand they're more likely to hate you than become an animal-respecting vegetarian. I also believe that children should know the truth about their food and be able to make their own choice of diet at a responsible age.

Which three things would you most like to change in the world in regard to animals?  Firstly, i would like to change people's view on animal welfare, for them to not dismiss it as "sentimental" and respect these sentient beings. Secondly, I would like children to be told - gently, of course - that the food they eat (or don't eat) comes from animals and them to be given the choice of whether or whether not they want to continue eating it. Thirdly, i would like to see the overall standard of animal welfare improve immensely.

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