What does it take to challenge one of the most deeply entrenched systems of animal suffering and what can each of us do to help end it?
In this powerful conversation, Victoria Moran speaks with animal rights advocates Gretchen Primack and Ella Magers, co-founders of the March to Abolish Animal Testing, about their fight to end the use of animals in laboratories.
The two are coming together to undertake a 200-mile march calling attention to the millions of animals used in experimentation and to demand a future beyond animal testing. Ella shares the story of Jane, a beagle bred for the laboratory industry who came into her life following the open rescue effort at Ridglan Farms. Jane's transformation from a laboratory animal to a beloved family member offers a deeply personal reminder of what is at stake.
Gretchen and Ella also talk about why they chose a march as their form of activism, how their work with farmed animals led them toward the fight against animal experimentation, and what they would say to anyone who cares about animals but feels powerless in the face of such a massive system.
This is a conversation about courage, compassion, direct action, and the belief that change becomes possible when ordinary people decide that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
In This Episode
- Why Gretchen and Ella created the March to Abolish Animal Testing
- How the fight for farmed animals led Ella toward animal testing advocacy
- The story of Jane, a beagle rescued from the laboratory industry
- What happened at Ridglan Farms
- Why a 200-mile march?
- What Gretchen and Ella hope the March will accomplish
- How grassroots activism can create meaningful change
- What you can do if you care about animals but feel powerless
- Why ending animal experimentation requires both courage and collective action
About Our Guests
Gretchen Primack is a poet, author, and animal rights advocate. She is the co-founder and co-lead of the March to Abolish Animal Testing. Her books include Kind, a poetry collection exploring the relationships between humans and other animals, and The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals, which she co-wrote with Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary founder Jenny Brown. Gretchen also taught in maximum-security prisons for 20 years.
Ella Magers, MSW is an internationally recognized animal rights advocate, professional speaker, and holistic fitness coach. A vegan for more than 30 years, she has spent her career encouraging people to embody fierce compassion through education, coaching, public speaking, and grassroots activism. Ella serves on the founding Board of Directors of Hogs & Kisses Farm Sanctuary and is co-founder of the March to Abolish Animal Testing.
Ella's connection to the fight against animal experimentation became deeply personal after the open rescue at Ridglan Farms, when she adopted Jane, a beagle who had been bred for the laboratory industry.
The March to Abolish Animal Testing
The March to Abolish Animal Testing is a 200-mile march calling for an end to the use of animals in experimentation and for meaningful change in the systems that allow animal testing to continue.
Learn more and follow the March at:
Website: https://www.marchforanimals.org
Connect with Gretchen & Ella
Gretchen / March to Abolish Animal Testing: https://www.marchforanimals.org
Ella Magers: https://ellamagers.com/
Ella on Instagram: https://instagram.com/sexyfitvegan
March to Abolish Animal Testing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marchforanimals/
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