03/09/2026
I was working at my desk yesterday when I turned to see my pine snake next to me do a big yawn, then (and also as I am writing this), I heard a big HISS from the Madagascan hissing cockroach tank behind me.
I came to the realisation right then and there that this room would be an awful place for the wrong person, but for me, it is my sanctuary and theirs.
Although I absolutely adore all the animals my culture considers vermin, it's not because they are called vermin that I love them. It's not because they could be classified as the 'underdogs' of the animal kingdom. I believe I've mentioned this before but I think it deserves to be brought up again.
These 'vermin' are incredible creatures based entirely on their own merit.
Although I no longer wish to support the pet trade, in my teens and twenties I had the honour of knowing so many rats with big personalities. Each one completely different from the last. I taught Stitch tricks for treats and Remi would lay on his back in my arms like a baby. Brothers Milky Joe and Hauser were so quirky they ended up on a handful of TV shows all over the world (long story!).
Farmed animals are in turn, looked down on by most of the nation. I believe I read somewhere that it wasn't until that long ago when the higher-ups in the meat industry would argue that chickens were incapable of pain. This attitude is even imbedded in our language, through the use of insults being inspired by chickens, pigs, cows and rats to put further distance between us and such 'dirty', 'stupid' and 'ugly' animals.
But I won't fall for it and neither should you. Humans have wrought so much more destruction, disease and ugliness onto this world than any other animal in history. Who are we to judge them for trying to survive in this envornment we've handed them?
Anyway. Just wanted to get that off my chest. If you're not already aware, there's 20% off t-shirts at Anticarnist.com when you use the code SUMMERSDEAD20 until Monday. And when you place and order you're also helping animal sanctuaries continue to do what they do. So thank you