Hello, I'm Mat Thomas, writer and animal rights advocate. I live in San Francisco and currently work as a staff writer/editor for In Defense of Animals (IDA) and as the Managing Editor for Farm Sanctuary's quarterly newsletter. I also write articles for magazines, including the bi-monthly NewsBeet column for VegNews magazine, and produce brochures, flyers and booklets about vegetarianism and animal rights for people to use as outreach tools. You can read much of my published writing here at AnimalRighter.

I have always considered myself an "animal lover" and felt a special connection to members of other species. Yet I continued to eat meat until 1996, when I became a vegetarian. When I went vegan in January 2002, I also stopped eating animals' reproductive secretions (eggs & milk) and wearing their skin as clothing. Aligning my actions with my deepest values has been one of the most empowering and fulfilling experiences of my life. I recommend being vegan to anyone who cares about animals, our planet and their health. VEGAN FAQ
 
Each year, humans kill tens of billions of animals for food, fabric, research, and "sport" without regard for the pain, suffering, and loss incurred by these innocent victims. I sincerely hope that my writing inspires readers to respect all species and make more compassionate lifestyle choices.

Mat Thomas   

I write IDA's weekly eNewsletter, which includes reports on the latest developments in animal rights from around the world, updates on IDA campaigns, and Action Alerts that enable people to get involved in helping animals and make a difference. Signing up for IDA's eNewsletter is free and only takes a minute. Plus, you'll also receive Action Alerts for your area that will help you take action for animals from your desktop and inform you about local events.

I also write and edit a lot of IDA's web content, and many articles for IDA’s Guardians magazine. To learn more about IDA, visit www.idausa.org.