Stéphane Lamart (vegetarian): Defender of Animal-people, Part 1 of 2

Today we are featuring the founder of the Stéphane Lamart Association, which champions the rights of animal-people in France. It operates five rescue shelters. Additionally, it intervenes in cases of animal-person abuse using its investigators and legal team to seek justice for the victims, conducts awareness campaigns to promote the protection of our animal friends, including the seeking of the end of experimentation and hunting, and lobbies for new and enhanced animal welfare laws.

Mr. Lamart came to care for animal-persons from simple interactions with other animal-lovers. At the young age of 10, he was already writing to politicians to try and create social change! “We need the living to live, we can't live without animals. We can't live without humans; we can't live without nature. We are here to co-habit all together.”

Mr. Lamart wants to protect all beings, especially our defenseless co-inhabitants. “I can't consume animals. I can't consume a cow, a sheep, a pig, a calf, a lamb because I defend them, because I am sensitive to animal protection. We do not eat what is meat. We do not eat what is dead.” Stéphane knew that he wanted to help the animal-folk, and he chose an unorthodox but effective way to do it – he first became a police officer.

The Stéphane Lamart Association helps our animal friends in many different ways. One important aspect of its work is to respond to situations where the voiceless are being harmed. “We have investigators who are our eyes and ears.” “At the level of investigations, we have a whole network of lawyers.”

Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Gratefully present the Stéphane Lamart Association the Shining World Compassion Award, plus a US$10,000 humble token of contribution to support your initiatives to defend our dear animal friends, including operating shelters, conducting abuse investigations, and promoting their rights in communities. May you successfully continue to help expand the circle of love for animal-people in the elevating grace of the Providence.”