Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 115

THE PURPLE COW AND FRIENDS
Kishor Mehta
The Purple Cow and Friends is an unusual name, for an unusual organization, founded by an unusual person, in an unusual place. It is a panjarapol - a shelter for unwanted and sick animals - founded by Tiffany St. Ives in Valley Center near San Diego, California.
Have you ever wondered what happens to farm animals that become unproductive and/or are sick? Most are sent to slaughter houses. A few lucky ones, including some abandoned domestic animals, end up in the loving care of Tiffany St. Ives at The Purple Cow and Friends. Tiffany founded the organization about 16 years ago as a shelter for rescued farm animals. The rescued animals - cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, chickens, dogs, cats and many more - are free to roam on the farm and are fed a home-cooked, well-balanced vegetarian diet. They all live in peace and harmony and with abundant love on the farm throughout their natural lives. In an article dated 1 September 2007, Paul Eakins of the North County Times described The Purple Cow and Friends as a "haven for farm animals." LaBeth Thompson, who handles animal intake at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California, observed that "Without Purple Cow, there are few other sanctuary options in the area for such animals."
Tiffany St. Ives, a frail blond woman, was described as a modern day saint by the Union Tribune of San Diego. A vegan herself, she is an animal activist and an expert in holistic care of animals. She was born into a German family in Los Angeles, California and had a typical Christian upbringing. While she ate meat as a child, she never really liked it and gradually became a vegetarian. By the age of 18, she had become a complete vegan. Her love for animals was evident at a very early age. In her own words she says, "I just had an affinity for animals. When I was 5 years old, I saw some boys throwing a skate board at a cat and I really got mad and stopped them." She continued to work for animal rights and rescued many animals in the Los Angeles area. In 1992, she moved to the current farm located in the rural setting of Valley Center. She describes her work as her responsibility to the animals under her care. She works more than 12 hours a day, seven days a week, bringing and preparing food for these animals, preparing places for them to live and sleep, and getting them medical attention. The Purple Cow & Friends animal sancturay where animals tasks are endless.
roam freely and are fed a balanced vegetarian diet.
This year, San Diego's St. Patrick's Day theme was "Honoring Rescue and Service Animals." Tiffany was recognized and commended as a Friend of Rescue Animals by the Irish Congress of Southern California Board of Directors for her years of work in the rescuing of animals.
Consider how your food choices impact the people around you and the world. Make vegetarianism a way of your life.
Aesha