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We visited Sivalingam Vasanthakumar (Kumar) at his home to interview him and learn more about his remarkable story. In 2019, he gave up his entire flock of sheep and drove them to Goodheart Animal Sanctuary. Over the years, Kumar found it increasingly difficult to continue sending his lambs to slaughter. He made the decision to finally step away from animal farming altogether, donating his flock and transitioning his family run Dosa Bar into a fully vegan establishment.
You can support our campaign by sharing our video on social media to inspire others to skip the lamb this spring, and forever!
Around 13 million sheep and lambs are slaughtered in the UK every year, with many killed in the run-up to Easter to meet seasonal demand. Easter is meant to celebrate renewal and hope; yet for millions of lambs, it marks something very different. But tradition is not a reason to take a life, especially when compassionate alternatives are everywhere. Change is possible, traditions and farmers can both evolve.
Born to bound, not to be braised, lambs deserve the chance to grow and explore the world around them. Consumers are turning away from lamb. More people are recognising that lambs are sentient beings worthy of respect, instead of commodities to be exploited. A downward trend is evident, with sheep and lamb slaughter decreasing by 7% between 2023 and 2024.
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In natural conditions, sheep can live up to 12 years, and sometimes longer. They can form lasting social bonds and develop distinct personalities over time. Yet lambs raised for meat are typically killed when they are just 3 to 6 months old. Some are slaughtered as young as 10 weeks, still very much babies.
At only a few months old, lambs are still learning about their environment, still dependent on their mothers, still in the earliest stages of life. A potential decade-long life is cut short for a single meal. When people speak of a “leg of lamb” at Easter, they are referring to the body of a young animal who, under different circumstances, could have lived for many years.
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Lambs farmed for meat are subjected to pain early in life. Male lambs are castrated. Tails are docked without anaesthetic. Lambs are separated from their mothers at a young age. This separation causes significant emotional distress to both.
To increase productivity, sheep are bred to produce multiple lambs at once, placing strain on their bodies and increasing the likelihood of complications. On some farms, sheep and lambs are kept inside for extended periods. On UK farms, up to one in five lambs die before weaning. Those who survive are transported to slaughterhouses while still babies. There, they are typically stunned with electric tongs before their throats are cut. It is a frightening and violent end for animals who have barely begun their lives. Lambs should be free and playing in fields.
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Easter is about renewal and hope. Traditions can evolve, as can farmers, and compassion can guide our choices. By choosing plant-based food this Easter, you remove support from an industry reliant on the suffering and slaughter of young animals.
Skip the lamb. Choose to create a kinder, more compassionate future.
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