Meet the Founder: Elisha of A Kynd Life

From regularly volunteering at Victorian Lamb Rescue to being on the front line to end duck shooting - there is nothing beautiful human Elisha Atchison will not do to create a kinder world for animals.

Last year I had the honour of being a guest on Elisha’s podcast ‘A Kynd Life’ (you check out the episode here) and while the pod might be on hiatus I have decided to turn the tables and put Elisha in the hot seat to learn more about her and her mission to put an end to animal suffering.

W&CF: Thank you so much for chatting with me Elisha. We were initially introduced through a mutual vegan friend and I am forever inspired by you and have loved getting to know you over the years. A question I have never asked you and I would love to know is what initially sparked your switch to veganism?

Elisha: I have always loved animals and went vegetarian at age 15. I guess I thought I wasn’t harming animals by being vegetarian, so for many years I was “content” with that until I learnt about the dairy industry. 

In 2017, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to speak to Damien Mander (former Australian Navy Clearance Diver/Special Operations sniper who started an anti poaching foundation in Africa). I asked him if he could give me one piece of advice, what would it be? 

He knew I was vegetarian and had studied environmental science, so he appealed to my conscience and said that conservation is a lifetime commitment, not a part time job. That was all he had to say and I knew that I was being a hypocrite… I went vegan overnight and have never looked back. I wish I had done it sooner, it has shaped so much of my life and who I am. I am forever grateful to Damien for our conversation and how it changed my life. 

Check out his foundation - www.akashinga.org

W&CF: You are such an incredible human and give your time so selflessly to help animals in need. Was there a pivotal moment that made you decide to dedicate yourself to animal advocacy?

E.A: I used to think being vegan was “enough”, but after seeing an expose on Live Sheep Export, it made me want to do more. I reached out to my local animal sanctuary and offered to help, which got me started. I also joined the local vegans facebook group, which helped me see what other activities were happening in my area, leading me to get involved with Anonymous for the Voiceless and Animal Justice Party. 

W&CF: You are a regular volunteer at Victorian Lamb Rescue, a sanctuary which is home to over 320 animals of all kinds who rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes all types of farm and companion animals. What does a typical volunteer shift look like?

E.A: No two days are the same at an animal sanctuary, but most days I assist with caring for the animals so things like refilling water troughs, feeding and checking animals for any signs of ill health or distress. There are also routine preventive health practices such as hoof trimming and worming. My favourite part is getting to know all of the animals' unique personalities, likes/dislikes and having cuddles with them. I’m known as the Weetbix lady, because I like to bring Weetbix as a treat and they come running for them!

W&CF: A scroll through your Instagram and you will quickly discover all the amazing animal sanctuaries you have visited over the years. I know this will be a tough question but which sanctuary is your favourite and why?

E.A: Oh that is a tough question! I dream of going around Australia and visiting all of the sanctuaries that are open to the public. So far I have been lucky enough to visit Peanut’s Wellbeing Sanctuary and The Owl and the Pussycat in NSW, as well as Edgar’s Mission and Galahad’s Sanctuary in Victoria. Victorian Lamb Rescue will always hold a special place in my heart as it is where my sanctuary journey began and I am lucky enough to have seen alot of the residents grow from tiny (often sick) babies, to thriving healthy adults living their best lives. 

 

W&CF: While being surrounded by cute and cuddly animals is definitely a perk of being a sanctuary volunteer, sadly it isn’t always like this and the harsh reality is that you are exposed to awful cases of animal cruelty. While doing this important work how do you protect your peace and stay motivated? Do you have any tools or practices you lean into?

E.A: I’m very lucky to be able to spend time with happy, loved animals - both at the sanctuary and my place - I share my life with Junior and Shadow (ponies), Davey and Leo (sheep) and Barney (Staffy x). I always find being around them so heartwarming, loving and therapy for my soul, so I often sit them and give them lots of love. Outside of this, I enjoy going to yoga and reading books, as the characters take me on an adventure. 

W&CF: Earlier this year you put yourself on the front line to help try put an end to duck shooting. Can you share more about this experience, what was involved and the impact you made?

E.A: I volunteer with a wildlife rescue group called Geelong Duck Rescue. The group of wildlife rescuers campaign to bring an end to the barbaric practice of duck shooting in Geelong and surrounds. In the lead up to the Victorian duck shooting season (which runs for approximately 3 months a year), the group runs advocacy programs such as protests, letter writing, meets with Ministers and conducts online campaigns to raise awareness of the inherent cruelty of recreational duck shooting. During the shooting season, volunteers attend local wetlands to monitor shooting activity, retrieve wounded birds and get them medical attention, as well as cleaning up the wetlands to remove litter. 

W&CF: You also work closely with Farm Transitions Australia who help Australian farmers pave the way towards a more sustainable, ethical and viable future. Can you share more about their mission and the strategies they have implemented to encourage and support farmers transitioning to plant-based practices or new careers?

E.A: Farm Transitions Australia (FTA) is a registered charity dedicated to assisting Australian dairy and livestock farmers seeking a transition from the animal agriculture industry, with the aim of fast-tracking this process.

Their mission is to empower farmers to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, the animals and the environment by exploring new career paths, embracing new sustainable business ventures, or transitioning to plant focused agriculture. FTA is the first of its kind in Australia, and one of only a handful of organisations dedicated to working in this space globally.

FTA provides free direct and indirect support and business services, eliminating exit barriers and enabling farmers to graciously transition their farms. The services include business planning, project management, financial management, career development, mental health support and resources, grant writing, marketing and more.

More information on their work and how people can help can be found at www.farmtransitionsaustralia.org

W&CF: You are so spoiled for choice in Melbourne when it comes to vegan eats. Do you have a favourite vegan restaurant and what is your dish of choice?

E.A: The vegan scene is pretty incredible in Melbourne, we are very lucky! Some of my favourites are Sister of Soul, Brother Bon, Smith and Deli, Funghi E Tartufo, Wombat Cafe and Girls and Boys is a MUST for dessert. I recently went to Funghi E Tartufo, a plant based Italian restaurant, and all I can say is WOW! The Calamari and Arancini were drool-worthy, I can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu.

I live in regional Victoria, so a special shoutout to my local vego/vegan cafe in Warrnambool Day Kitty and my old stomping ground Feast Geelong. 

 

W&CF: I am forever grateful for the support and kindness you have shown me and Wild & Cruelty Free over the years. How did you discover Wild & Cruelty Free and what are some of your favourite Wild & Cruelty Free products and why?

E.A: Our mutual friend (thanks Mon!) introduced us, as she thought you would be an awesome guest on A Kynd Life Podcast. I loved learning about what you’re doing to make vegan and cruelty free beauty products more accessible for people like me, who want to do the right thing and only purchase vegan and cruelty free products, but can sometimes find it hard to know where to start and how to find everything they want/use. You make it so easy because it’s all in one spot! I’m so grateful!

I have a A LOT of Wild & Cruelty Free faves, here are a few:

• BEAUTI-FLTR Feather Light SPF50+ - I use this as a face moisturiser every morning! It's a MUST in my daily routine.
  
  
• Recreation Beauty Perfumes - I started with the Sample Set, so that I could work out which fragrances were my favourite, BUT I ended up loving so many of them, that I am slowly building my collection. My go to fragrances are Stardust, At Night We Dance and Call Me Venus. I can’t wait to try the latest release Undone.
  
  
• Ere Perez Mango Lip Honey - I had been looking for a natural shade lipgloss and found this. I wear it out on weekends and love it so much, it always gets compliments.
  
  
• SISUU Magnesium Recovery Spray - This is great because I often have muscle soreness after physical days at work, the sanctuary or the gym, so I use this spray to help relieve it.

W&CF: I believe we can all take a leaf out of your book to create a kinder world for all. What advice would you give to someone looking to switch to a vegan lifestyle or get involved with animal advocacy work?

E.A: In terms of going vegan, I always say pick 4 or 5 of your favourite meals and make them vegan. Sometimes people find going vegan daunting because they don't know where to start, so I find this helps them get a base to start from and then they can add more meals as they go.

In terms of activism and advocacy, I recommend thinking about what you enjoy doing or have skills in and use those to offer to help an animal organisation. Looking after animals is not everyone’s cup of tea, but many people have transferable skills that charities are desperately seeking such as social media, event coordination, fundraising, photography, public speaking and so on. Animal organisations are always looking for more people to help, so please reach out to those near you or that you follow/admire and offer to help. If you are not sure where to start, feel free to message me on socials and I can help get you started. 

W&CF: If you could dispel one myth about veganism forever, what would it be and why?

E.A: What good will it do if I go vegan, I'm only one person. 

I always remind people that when you go vegan you’re aligning your morals with your actions. As vegans, we no longer contribute to animal suffering and cruelty and collectively we make a difference in the world for animals. A quote I love is ….. “One to save a few, a few to save many, many to save the world, it all starts with one” thanks to a dear friend Brent who runs a non profit One to Save Many (onetosavemany.com).

W&CF: Looking towards the future, what changes do you hope to see in society's relationship to animals and what are some of your personal goals or initiatives you hope to bring to life?

E.A: I hope people quickly learn, understand and respect the sentience of animals and their right to live their own lives free from human harm. Over the last few years, I have become more mindful of the words I use when speaking about animals, in an effort to encourage people to think more deeply about animals, for example I don't use terms such as it, I will use she, he or they. I try to use factual terms about animal products, rather than marketing terms, for example - animal flesh, dead animals, animal skin. 

FAST FIVE

1. Favourite place in the world: Being with animals. My favourite overseas places to visit are New Zealand and India - I recently went for a friends wedding and India has my heart.
   
   
2. The beauty product you can't live without: BEAUTI-FLTR Feather Light SPF50+.
   
   
3. Book you are currently reading: I’m a big romance novel girly, anything by Lucy Score, Colleen Hoover, Mia Sheridan and I have recently been getting into sports romances.
   
   
4. A song that lives rent free in your head: Anything Ziggy Alberts.
   
   
5. A life changing event or experience: Speaking to Damien Mander, such an incredible opportunity that changed my life.
   
   
6. Who or what inspires you the most in life? People doing things to make the world a kinder place for animals. We can all do something to help animals.

W&CF: Thanks so much for chatting to me Elisha, you're truly one in a million with a heart of gold - the world needs more humans like you!