If you've ever considered the many benefits of going vegan, you're in the right place. Not only is eating a whole food, plant-based diet healthier for you, but it also doesn't require your participation in the exploitation of the vulnerable. Someone who understands this and values not just human life, but ALL life, is our guest today.

In 2001, Kathy Stevens co-founded Catskill Animal Sanctuary, where her love of teaching and her love of animals merged. One of the world's leading sanctuaries for farmed animals, Catskill has saved more than 5,000 non-human individuals through the direct rescue — and exponentially more through programming that encourages humans to adopt veganism. Kathy shares how:

• A vegan saves around 30 animal lives every month (Veestro)
• Veganism could save almost eight million human lives by 2050 (Oxford Martin School)
• Following a vegan lifestyle cuts 100% of bad cholesterol from a person's diet (The Vegan Review)
• A plant-based diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 23% (Harvard)

Key Takeaways:

• What an "animal sanctuary" is and how is it different from an "animal shelter"
• What makes Catskill Animal Sanctuary unique among sanctuaries for farmed animals
• What vegan living means
• How veganism is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact
• What Catskill's New Leaf program is and how you can participate

Learn more about Catskill Animal Sanctuary and its New Leaf Program. You can donate to support their ongoing efforts to bring awareness to end animal suffering and aid in the welfare of the beautiful rescued animals. All of the links will be in the show notes at RonandLisa.com/Podcast.