Christmas gift ideas: Why not give a goat?
Thursday,
November 26, 2015 6:00AM PST Ross McLaughlin and Lisa Green, CTV Vancouver
If you’re looking for a unique present to give this Christmas, charitable giving
might be the way to go. One popular idea, courtesy of World Vision Canada: the
gift of a goat. Carmina Gooch wrote in to explain why such schemes are
detrimental and misguided.
Re: Christmas gift ideas: Why not give a goat? (Nov. 26, 2015)
Dear Mr. McLaughlin and CTV, Vancouver:
I couldn’t believe that CTV would be as thoughtless and irresponsible as to encourage viewers to support World Vision’s solicitation to purchase a goat or any other innocent and helpless animal as a means to help needy families in developing nations. These schemes wrongly boast that they empower impoverished people with a sustainable method of supporting themselves, but in reality, this is far from truthful. There is no happily-ever-after result.
In 2011, the charity group GiveWell recommended against animal purchases, calling them “donor illusions.”
Recent reports show programs like this may actually worsen global hunger. Raising animals for food is inefficient, with resources like water and grain costly. The World Land Trust considers such livestock gift programs “environmentally unsound and economically disastrous.”
Former Indian minister Maneka Gandhi has indicated livestock gift schemes are basically fundraising tools. In fact, she claims livestock sent to impoverished areas “will add to the problems of drought and desertification” and that “very little reaches the country or the cause for which it is meant.” “It is cynical exploitation of animals and poor people.”
In 2010, the UN Environment Program's International Panel of Sustainable Resource Management stated that a global shift toward a vegan diet is critical for mitigating global hunger and the worst impacts of climate change.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) proclaims “that around five billion people are expected to be subjected to water stress by 2050” and that indirectly the production of animals accounts for around 27% of global consumption and pollution of freshwater resources.
Donated animals are often unwanted by the recipients. Many endure tremendous suffering, neglect and inhumane slaughter. There are other ethically sound plant-food initiatives to help the poor support themselves without living off the backs of animals.
Surely, such a lifestyle is preferable both morally and practically.
10 Reasons
To Say NO To Animal Gifting Hunger Relief Organizations
http://awfw.org/no-animal-gifts/ 
Sincerely,
- Carmina Gooch
- North Vancouver
- Compassion, respect, and justice for those with no voice
- - Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters www.rabbitadvocacy.com
Comment: Merritt Clifton, Animals 24-7 has researched animal giving schemes for years. Visit animals24-7.org for more. Failed livestock gift schemes leave developing world animal charities to clean up their messes
Read more: April 7, 2014 Reginans work with goat project; Carmina Gooch's letter
January 19, 2013 Donating a goat helps no one — least of all the goat