Better Life for Animals 017: Bridging Ethics, Faith, and Compassion: Dr. Lisa Kemmerer’s Call to Action for Animals and the Earth
Animal sanctuaries are lifelines for creatures rescued from exploitation, yet their existence often remains overlooked. Pair that with the fact that fewer than 2 percent of Americans identify as vegan, and the urgency for education and advocacy becomes undeniable. Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, a global leader in animal ethics and founder of the educational nonprofit Tapestry of Peace, brought this message to life as a featured expert on the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Moss.
From Scholar to Activist: A Life Devoted to Justice
Dr. Kemmerer holds a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard and a PhD in philosophy with a focus on animal ethics from the University of Glasgow. After two decades teaching at the university level, she retired in 2020 to dedicate herself fully to activism through Tapestry. Her work explores how religious belief, environmental awareness, and gender oppression intersect with the treatment of animals.
Whether kayaking solo for a month or teaching students in a ranching town in Montana, Dr. Kemmerer has lived a life of immersive learning. Her extensive travel through Asia, the Middle East, and the South Pacific, including studying at the Dalai Lama’s school and staying in remote monasteries, shaped her holistic approach to animal advocacy.
Animal Sanctuaries and the Power of Daily Connection
Lisa’s life in a peaceful coastal setting, where she walks with her dogs daily and rescues injured wildlife from nearby beaches, speaks to her grounding in nature. “It’s essential,” she said. “Time outdoors is reflection, peace, and happiness.” Her connection with animals extends beyond academic theory into tangible acts of care.
Sanctuaries, she noted, are crucial reminders of the world we must create, where animals are seen as individuals with needs, personalities, and the right to peace. Her activism includes direct rescue work and local vegan initiatives, like the Hospitality Challenge, which encouraged restaurants to add clearly labeled vegan options. “In just a couple of months, our town became much more vegan-friendly,” she said.
The AMORE Framework: A Tool for Advocacy
Dr. Kemmerer’s latest work distills decades of research into an accessible format with the acronym AMORE, which means “love” in Italian. It represents:
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Animals – Their suffering and the ethical imperative to protect them
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Medical – The health implications of consuming animal products
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Oppressions – The connection between animal exploitation and other systemic injustices
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Religion – How faith traditions often align with vegan principles
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Environment – The urgent need to protect ecosystems from the impacts of animal agriculture
Designed for activists and educators alike, the AMORE model serves as a concise yet comprehensive guide for making the case for veganism in any setting.