We've had this question before...

[franklanguage]

How do you graciously return a gift from Heifer International? It seems one of my well-meaning clients will be giving her corporate gifts from them, and if so I may be a recipient.

Considering that the gift is given in your name to someone else, it's especially tricky. I certainly don't want a cow slaughtered in my name—although they also do goats, sheep, and bees.

Comments

It's not like she's giving me a sheep!

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

I'm saying I'd rather have a tree planted in my name, or a bag of rice given to a third-world family, but with Heifer, I don't have any choice. As far as I could see in the brochure, they were all animal-based products.

I mean, it's not as clear-cut as returning a scarf you hate for store credit.

Re: It's not like she's giving me a sheep!

[v3g4n.livejournal.com]

Can you bring this up? If you can't, and you can't return it... then donate it to those in need who would consume animal products anyways.

Re: It's not like she's giving me a sheep!

[v3g4n.livejournal.com]

Oh sorry, I didn't understand what Heifer was until I read the comments below. You don't actually receive anything... those things are given in your name? I understand now.

I don't feel comfortable judging whether or not an impoverished community should want/get an animal to raise and eventually eat. I choose to be vegan in my context but I don't want to make that decision for others. I think I'd be okay with this gift, though I wouldn't go out of my way to give it on my own!