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

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

As an abolitionist, I don't condone animal husbandry, so why would I want a milking cow or a beehive given in my name? That's what I'm getting at.

These animals are ultimately for slaughter, even if they give milk and eggs—particularly in the third world. Think about it.

Oh, and lastly, dairy causes health problems, particularly in non-white people; I thought you knew that?

Perhaps the gift will be used to plant trees.

[suegypt.livejournal.com]

Please don't get offended, all I'm saying is that the gift is given in your name, hence you have no control, you can't give it back because it won't be in your possession. The only thing you could do is send the client back her card saying "I don't believe in this." I can't imagine that not being received poorly.

I'm not saying anything about your beliefs, because I don't know much about you. I'm actually a bit sympathetic, because I can imagine if someone gave a gift in my name to, say, the NRA, I would be appalled. It's a bit presumptuous to do that for business associates, because you don't know if you're offending someone.

Yes, I know that people also eat their animals as well as use their "gifts," but giving an animal to a third world family is more about enabling them to survive in this world without having to be a slave than it is about serving my or your world view. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about this, but I would wonder if people living in the third world can afford to be vegan. How can we who can choose veganism begrudge those who can't the things they need to survive, especially in a small community setting?

I thought you knew that?

Um, I don't know what you know... how do you know what I know??