Empathy for animals

I was watching Delhi Safari - an animated Indian movie that describes how humans are destroying animals' habitat. I would applaud the movie crew for the complete movie and I liked the message this movie delivers.

A clip from the movie 'Delhi Safari' -

The Mahabharata, one of the epics of Hinduism has multiple mentions of the phrase Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (अहिंसा परमॊ धर्मः), which literally means: non-violence is the highest moral virtue. I believe non-violence derives from empathy towards others and it should be extended to not only fellow humans but also to animals. I understand the pyramid of food chain concept but there is more than food chain by which we harm animals. My idea of this blog is to share few lifestyle changes that we can adopt and show empathy for animals.

Larve steamed alive for silk

1. Clothing - There are so many categories of clothes that come from brutally harming animals. Clothing industry creates them because we consume / wear them. There are so many eco-friendly clothing options that we can chose from. It is basically just choice! Non-leather shoes, belts and purses are as attractive and durable as others for common uses. Did you know approximately 15 silkworms are killed to make a gram of silk thread, and 10,000 are killed to make a silk sari. So either avoid silk clothes or opt for Ahimsa silk. Similarly read the way leather is produced, and make your choice if leather/fur goods are worth it when you have other options.
2. Food Choices - Eating animal products (milk, egg, meat, etc) is one thing and can be (or may be can't) explained by pyramid of food chain. But the way these animals are treated to produce food is really horrible. Even if we (food consumers) are not treating the animals badly when they are alive, it is us who are paying for the complete package (food + food production & everything related to it). Unless consumers don't push the industry for treating animals with respect before they produce food, it won't happen. Till then we have our share of guilt when we consume this food which looks all clean and hygienic coming from our kitchens. We should be prudent to eat animal product that is marked 'cage free'. Watch Food INC for more details.
3. Getting pets - It is on you if your pet dies due to lack of care. Some pets need a lot of care and make sure you are prepared and geared up to care responsibly.
4. Habitat - I can not vouch for not destroying habitat / jungles - home of animals. But at least we should plant trees in our homes and put water for birds outside our house. Let us co-exist if we are invading their share of earth.

Please feel free to add more suggestions in comments that we can adopt in daily life and keep up the virtue of empathy.