Since moving to the country, we've begun the process of looking for animals to fill up our farm. It's so exciting to be living our dreams of truly having our own food supply, but the quest for learning and searching for the animals is a little daunting. Sadly, many farmers are still of the "old school" mentality where they think animals can eat anything (including GMO feed), stay confined and NEED vaccinations, so these resources are of minimal help. Course anyone who has followed my blogs for any time will know my issues with vaccines in people, especially children. Well, the pet population including farm animals are no different. Dogs and cats are the most vaccinated among the animal species with hens, cows, pigs and horses climbing the ranks. It is really pitiful to see so many dogs and cats suffering from diseases at younger ages, developing cancer at the same rate as humans and needless suffering at the hands of the public health officials. Pets must be vaccinated to enter dog parks and to be boarded, making owners feel ostracized often forcing them to be inconvenienced for the sake of their pets. The growing issue of over vaccination in humans AND pets, thankfully, is causing many experts to take notice. Holistic practitioners in the animal world are on the rise and provide another option for pet owners who feel that animals should be given as healthy a life as possible.
Our oldest child Noah, especially is eager to have a dog and we certainly want one who will be good with our farm animals, will provide protection and herding plus be a good child play mate. We've found a holistic veternarian in Johnson City about 40 miles from us and plan on using that resource as a start. Finding animals that aren't vaccinated or minimally vaccinated is helping to ensure a relationship that hopefully won't begin with a list of chronic illness and behavioral disorders. Thankfully, contacts were also made when we lived in Knoxville through various farmers who subscribe to our health philosophies. We've also made many good friends who have begun homesteading and are breeding holistic animals themselves. So, while the journey is once again narrow, it is not impossible and with a small group of determined individuals we hopefully can make changes for the betterment of ourselves and eventually society.
Here are a few holistic practitioner resources for your pets:
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