New York’s dogs and cats are speaking out for farmed animals
“The entire system depends on people not making connections between our food and the animal it comes from. But once you've seen your Labradoodle dressed as a pig, it's somehow hard to unsee.”
In a first-of-its-kind event, New York’s dogs took to the streets to advocate for their fellow creatures who can't speak for themselves.
We can all get a bit silly about our pets sometimes. But the scene in Astoria, Queens this past weekend was unlike anything New York City had seen before. Dogs sporting pig costumes, cow-print bandanas, strutting down a red carpet – one dog even gave a ‘speech’.
But this wasn’t some eccentric pet costume party. These dogs, and their owners, were here with a purpose.
This was the world's first "Pet Protest Parade," a joyful demonstration where companion animals symbolically advocated for all creatures whose voices are silenced in our society.
The parade wound through Astoria Park before culminating at Chateau le Woof, a local 'dog cafe'. There, a red carpet awaited. As each pet strutted down the runway, their human companions publicly took the "Kind to All Animals Pledge."
The pledge asks participants to extend their animal compassion beyond their beloved pets through four specific actions: shelter adoption, cruelty-free products, humane pest control, and supporting charities that combat factory farming.
Behind this pledge and the Pet Protest Parade is FarmKind, a nonprofit dedicated to finding new ways to combat factory farming. Their mission: to transform the love people have for their pets into meaningful action for all animals, particularly those suffering in our food system.
“The animal movement has, for decades, tried to guilt and shock society into treating animals better. Where has it got us?” said Thom Norman, co-founder of FarmKind. "People shut down when faced with animal suffering. But they light up talking about their pets. We're just connecting those dots."
The event drew a diverse crowd – animal welfare campaigners, families, dog enthusiasts, and curious onlookers pulled in by the spectacle.
“Factory farming thrives with invisibility and apathy. The entire system depends on people not making connections between our food and the animal it comes from. But once you’ve seen your Labradoodle dressed as a pig, it’s somehow hard to unsee. It’s silly, but it works.”
For those who missed the event, the celebration continues online with the launch of the Pledge Kindness social media challenge which saw “petfulencers” and ordinary folk sharing videos of themselves doing something extravagant for their pets—serving them gourmet meals or building custom furniture—before taking the pledge to extend some of that kindness to all animals.
"The contrast is powerful," Norman noted. "We lavish such care on our companion animals while billions of others suffer unseen. But this isn't about guilt – it's about recognizing our capacity for compassion and extending it further."
To take the Kind to All Animals Pledge, visit PledgeKindness.com.
Listen to the Species Unite podcast episode with FarmKind founders, Aidan Alexander and Thom Norman, here.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
