I have a friend whose conversion to veganism reads like a Road to Damascus moment. She met a cow one day. They had a moment of connection within which she realised- or felt, deeply- that that cow was as curious about my friend as she was about her. She says that in that moment she realised that her and the cow were both people, equal in dignity and worth. From that moment on, she was a vegan.

My story is far more prosaic. I’ve never made friends with any cows, chickens or sheep. I live in the city! Dogs, cats and crows are the only animals I tend to meet. And while I did make friends with a crow last year (more on that one another day) I’ve never been in the position of looking my future dinner in the eyes. I’m not a vegetarian because of an epiphany or any strong emotional experience at all. I’m a veggie because, given my circumstances, removing my support from the meat industry felt like the right thing to do.