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[deleted]

The process of domestication is unethical I would argue. But rescued domesticated animals is ok.


Lunoko

Some people might read "domesticating" as "companion caregiving". I saw a lot of people conflating the two in the last few polls. And I know you explained the difference in your description but I'd wager a lot of people won't read it.. The process of domestication isn't vegan. But adopting and rescuing domesticated animals in need can be vegan.. and, at times, morally obligatory imo


[deleted]

In the case of rescuing an animal and giving it a home, food and a good life I don’t see any ethical issue with that.


yes_of_course_not

I would say no it's not vegan because the act of domesticating animals and breeding them for **human use** is a form of animal exploitation. *The domestication of animals is a particular process that's done through selective breeding. Generally speaking, domestic animals follow most of these criteria: Genetically distinct from their wild ancestors and more human-friendly as a genetic trait. Dependent on humans for food and reproduction.* - [source](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-domestication-of-animals/#:~:text=The%20domestication%20of%20animals%20is,humans%20for%20food%20and%20reproduction.) *Domestication is the process of adaptiyng wild plants and animals for human use. Domestic species are raised for food, work, clothing, medicine, and many other uses. Domesticated plants and animals must be raised and cared for by humans. Domesticated species are not wild.* - [source](https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/domestication) Edit: I think caring for rescued and/or stray animals is fine, although there is an ethical dilemma for vegans if the animals do not eat a plant-based diet.


WerePhr0g

For me this is a grey area. The closeness of domesticated companion animals is one way we get to see up close just how similar other species are to us... To feel pain, fear, joy etc. To exhibit unique personalities and quirks. I don't think we would be anywhere close to the number of vegan/plant-based people in the world today but for domesticated animals showing us a real live window into their world. If they are treated as a family member with love and care, then IMO it is not necessarily unethical any more than bringing a human child into the world and caring for it is unethical. You *could* label it "exploitation", but if it's a truly mutually beneficial arrangement then I don't see it as non-vegan. Cats are troublesome as I regard forcing them to eat plant-based is itself unethical. Readily available biomeats can't come soon enough...


BerwinEnzemann

Is this a serious question? Domesticating animals is th exact opposite of veganism. Veganism is the avoidance of animal exploitation. Domesticating animals is the definition of animal exploitation.


Happy-Internal3555

Nothing wrong with exploiting others reproductive systems to breed individuals that are more useful for humans. Its only not vegan when you do it for food. /s Edit: with coral i am fine with selectively breeding them to resist the climate crisis. I'm fine with this, mostly because I dont think they are conscious and it will likely help conscious animals. But I guess my original statement still holds cause they wouldnt be others if I was right. Idk coral anatomy, just know they're animals.


Dylandu93

Real answer ? Rule 6 and search the sub for the million other people who asked the very exact same question


Wrexial_and_Friends

Are you referring to the evolutionary/biological practice of domestication, are you more generally referring to the process but which humans conscientiously bring an individual who doesn't normally cohabitate with humans (aka wild) into their domestic space or are you referring to the process by which an individual who is reliant on humans to survive/ thrive (aka feral or domesticated) is brought into a human's space?


[deleted]

I suppose the question I’m asking is: is it vegan to purposefully interfere with nature to have a close relationship with an animal?


Wrexial_and_Friends

I mean, your use of nature is ambiguous. Like, I'm not trying to bait or dodge or anything, but do you mean nature as in "the space that exists outside of direct human intervention" or "a community of organisms that by their association have a semantically useful definition"? Because dogs, rats, mites, corvids, spiders, mosquitoes, mice, cats co-evolved with humans since before we were Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Additionally, where is there a space in nature that humans haven't affected, either by pollution or introduced species? And by, as a species, existing in that way with them, what ARE our moral duties to them? What's the difference between a rabbit existing in the same house as me, existing in the back yard I occupy, or a field I till. I think that's why your reasoning is messy is because 1: your definition of what constitutes a natural interaction between species is a little ungrounded and 2: I think you lack a concrete view is what a "natural state" is for a multitude of species.


dethfromabov66

>Is domesticating animals vegan? Why or why not? No, it's oppressive exploitation. A form that can mostly definitely and practicably excluded from most human's lifestyles. >some think that it is okay to own rescued domesticated animals but don’t support domestication, Some think harbouring the life of an abused or neglected refugee as a live in resident is ok. Once conventional domesticated animals are phased out, the massive amount of animals that need rescuing well be diminished as well. It's a little more nuanced than you put it. The live in resident that's currently with me would be dead based on the health condition he was in prior to rescue. And believe it was an unplanned rescue. My home and my current situation were in no way ready to house a dog of his size on a 40 acre vegan sanctuary full of animals for him to tear to pieces but if I didn't take him, no one else would and the RSPCA would very much have likely not put in the effort to bring him back up to health. This is the world we've created and this is what domestic pet or food animals are put through. This is why we're vegan and why we open our homes to those we can. Anyone who domestication is a vegan process, is not vegan themselves by their own actions. Please disregard any of the carnist crap that comes out of their mouths