News Blog From Bottle to Table? Rethinking Easter Traditions 11-04-25 Today we're featuring a blog from OneKind Planet Editor Leila Scott. Leila is also one of the founders of Sunshine Animal Sanctuary on Malta. As we embrace the themes of compassion and rebirth that Easter represents, perhaps it’s time to reflect on the way our traditions align with our values - and whether there’s room at the table for something kinder. The Disconnect Behind the Bottle Each spring, we are met with an abundance of heartwarming images of children bottle-feeding sweet little lambs, cuddling fluffy yellow chicks, and admiring the cuteness overload of skipping baby goats at petting farms. Lambs in particular are seen as sweet, innocent and extremely loveable. They trust the gentle hands that feed them. And yet, shortly after these delightfully heartwarming bottle-feeding sessions, lamb appears on dinner plates across the country. This contrast can be difficult to reconcile. How can we teach children to care for baby animals one day, and then serve them for lunch the next? The act of bottle-feeding reinforces tenderness and compassion, but that message is quickly lost when those same animals are treated as food. The Short Life of an Easter Lamb Each spring, lambs are born across the UK into a world awakening from winter. They are often raised on pastures, where they bond closely with their mothers and learn to walk, leap, and play within hours of birth. But for many lambs, life is heartbreakingly short. They are slaughtered at just a few months old - far earlier than their natural lifespan of 10–12 years. These lambs are transported to slaughterhouses in the early days of their lives - often confused, scared, and helpless. Lambs are Inquisitive and Affectionate Like dogs and other companion animals, lambs are intelligent, curious, and capable of forming deep emotional bonds. They recognise their mothers' voices and form strong friendships with their flock mates. Lambs are playful and expressive - they skip, bounce, and call out when they’re happy or excited. Studies have shown they can experience fear, joy, and even empathy. These are not passive creatures - they are living beings with rich emotional lives. A Tradition Worth Rethinking Lamb is often considered a ‘traditional’ Easter meal, representing sacrifice or renewal in some cultures. However, as our awareness of animal sentience and welfare grows, many are beginning to question whether these customs still align with their values. While Easter is a time to celebrate life and hope, the reality for millions of lambs is one of early death. Choosing a plant-based alternative doesn’t mean abandoning tradition - it means reimagining it with kindness at its core. Celebrating Easter with Compassion The good news is that more plant-based options than ever are available to help us honour Easter without harming animals. From delicious lentil roasts and mushroom wellingtons to vegan shepherd’s pies and nut loaves, there are endless ways to celebrate the season of new life without ending one. Easter can still be joyful, meaningful, and filled with tradition - just without the suffering. Check out recipes here You Can Make a Difference Whether it’s choosing a plant-based meal, supporting animal sanctuaries, or simply starting a conversation about ethical choices, your actions matter. Lambs are more than symbols of spring - they are individuals who deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Kindness in Action: OneKind’s Suggestions of Alternative Ways to Celebrate Easter Planet Botanic Holiday Club at St Andrews Botanic Garden, St Andrews, Fife Edinburgh Science Festival: Rainforest Adventure at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Old Town Edinburgh Science Festival: Animal Adventures at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Old Town | What's On Edinburgh You could also consider making a donation to an animal sanctuary. This Easter, let’s live the values we celebrate - new life, compassion, and peace - not just for ourselves, but for animals too! Leila shares her experience of rescuing and raising lambs at Sunshine Animal Sanctuary Malta: "Spending time with lambs and caring for them has been one of the most rewarding and profound experiences of my life. Each one brought something special, but all shared a gentle, trusting nature that left a lasting imprint on my heart. One of the lambs we took in was a newborn, found alone in a field - while others had been destined for Easter lunch. These sweet souls were full of life, love, and innocence. They wagged their little tails with joy when we fed them, nuzzled into our arms, skipped toward us with excitement, and followed us everywhere like shadows - always with bright eyes and a joyful spring in their step. Their affection was genuine and boundless. One lamb in particular, Lenny, lived with us at home for a while. He responded to his name, came on walks with our dogs, and cuddled up beside us. He wasn’t just a lamb. He was family. The memories I’ve made with these beautiful beings will stay with me forever. And because I’ve seen their personalities, their playfulness, their trust, and their capacity for love, I feel an even deeper responsibility to speak up for them, especially at Easter when so many of their lives are brutally stolen from them. They deserve protection, not betrayal. So I invite you to pause and truly consider: not what you’re eating, but who. Lambs like Lenny, Chip and Dale deserve to live peaceful, happy lives - and nothing less will do. Lenny Part of the family who was found alone in a field. Chip and Dale Lambs saved from slaughter. Manage Cookie Preferences