The founder of the Vegan Society, Donald Watson originally coined the term veganism.
When the society became a registered charity in 1979, the Memorandum and Articles of Association updated this definition of “veganism” as:
‘Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.’
For more information on how to live vegan please visit The Vegan Starter Kit.
How to live a vegan lifestyle
100 FOR 100 Movement 
Reduce / eliminate animal products from one’s diet. Anything can be made cruelty-free – with or without mock meats / cheeses. Shop sales, buy bulk. Realize that the more processed / packaged the product is, the more expensive and unhealthy it will be. Farmers grow crops, harmers exploit animals. Adopt, don’t shop for pets – breeders are greeders and petstores love profit not animals. Purchase products that are good for animals, the environment and people – clothing, toiletries, cleaning supplies etc. Avoid GMO – do you really want to feed your children franken-food that was designed in a lab by the folks that brought us Agent Orange, Roundup and other toxic, cancer-causing chemicals? Educate yourself and don’t believe anything that comes from an industry that profits from your ignorance – the meat/dairy/egg industries would have you believe animal products are necessary, but in fact the opposite is true. The vivisection industry would have you believe that testing on animals is necessary but it’s really a make-work project for greedy sadists. They come up with crazy studies to solicit money for cruel, unreliable and pointless projects. Thalidomide was safe for animals but caused birth defects in people. Chocolate is safe for people but kills pets. We already know smoking causes cancer, drano will blind you, and babies that are tortured have mental issues – so why continue testing this? I certainly don’t want my money being used to fund lunacy. Think seafood is a good option, it’s not. Without changes, overfishing and pollution will result in our oceans being devoid of life (other than jellyfish and sea slugs) by 2048. Along with a dead ocean, we have dead land, dead air, dead planet. Reduce, reuse, recycle, stop supporting cruel and environmentally devastating industries. You may not be around to see the effects of your status quo lifestyle – but your children will be and they deserve to have a decent planet to share with our fellow earthlings. Put your compassion in action – embrace the truth as knowledge is power. Give up apathy and indifference as ignorance is not bliss.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post your insightful comment Lisa!
I’m so impressed that you are running so far! Good luck!
Thanks Kim! I’d run a lot further if it would make people realize how desperately animals need our respect and a right to live free from torture and exploitation.
I bombed the quiz but I love animals. There are other ways to love our furry friends. I have volunteered in animal care, I donate to shelters, and I have put myself in danger to help an animal at risk.
Awe Tammy, the test is not for passing or failing. You may live an incredibly compassionate life and never see Earthlings or read the China Study. This quiz is a constant work in progress and a mere collection of knowledge we can share between each other in order to make this world more humane. As a friend of mine always says “It’s not about being perfect it’s about making the effort to cause as little harm as possible.”
Just as a quick, friendly clarification. I tend not to call them “furry friends”. Like you Tammy, I also love all animals, so I don’t like to discriminate against those that don’t have fur – piggies don’t have fur, chicks don’t have fur, dolphins don’t have fur etc. And all are just as deserving of our respect and moral consideration.
P.S. Good for you Tammy for being willing to go as far as even putting your own life in danger to save an animal! If you haven’t seen it yet, please do watch the amazing documentary Earthlings (you can see it for free through this link: http://earthlings.com/?page_id=32) – it’ll bring out the animal lover in you to an incredible degree!
I am honest (to a degree based on their age..) with my children about life’s reality and animal suffering.
Why we do not go to fast food (and the kids now tell their friends “do not go there, they are mean to their animals..) because of their practices. Why we do not go to places such as a Circus or Sea World while on vacation (human entertainment at the expense of an animal suffering).
I teach them vegetarian options for foods and and am open to their questions. I see the effect it has as they now spread our conversations and their new knowledge to their friends. They are the future!.
How wonderful that you do that Colleen! So true, children are the future and they’re the hope that we may one day finally have a humane world!
It’s time for us to live up to the word “human” by being truly “humane”!