Vegetarian - Why Some Vegans Do Not Wear Wool

 Many vegans quit eating meat, eggs, milk, honey, and yeast   for one very specific reason: they have a deep reverence   for all living things and subsequently want to prevent   all living things from suffering on their behalf.

This reverence for all living things drives some vegans   to what nonvegetarians might consider extremes. Some live   greatly restricted lives, but for a noble cause: to   prevent suffering and death wherever possible.

In addition to preventing death and suffering through   dietary selections, some vegans have vow to prevent it in all other capacities.

For instance, some vegans do not wear wool because they   believe it contributes to animal suffering.

These vegans often cite how scientists have bred sheep   over the years to generate unnatural amounts of wool for   human needs. This breeding has resulted in the Merino   sheep of today, which often has enough wool to equal its   body weight.

As a result of this counter-evolutionary trait, the Merino   sheep that exists today often has far more wool than it   needs, which is evidenced by the high amount of sheep that   die of heat exhaustion. In addition to overheating   in hot temperatures, many sheep end up freezing to   death after they are sheared.

The wool shearing process can also cause quite a bit   of suffering for the sheep. Almost a quarter of all wool sheared from sheep is "skin wool," which is so close to   the sheep’s skin that it is actually must be torn off.

If you currently are a vegetarian for ethical reasons,   take some time to consider whether or not wearing wool  compromises your commitment to end or at least stop   contributing to animal suffering.

For some vegetarians, wearing wool is just as bad as   eating meat; and for others, it simply isn’t an issue  because they do not believe it causes an unreasonable   amount of suffering. Which are you?