Harry Potter and animal justice has for a long time been one of those niche but fascinating discussions, with author JK Rowling teasing nonhuman rights issues at various moments throughout the series. From the freeing of Buckbeak to subservient owls, Nina Copleston asks how Potter’s treatment of nonhumans reflects on all of us.

DEEP DIVE: Two types of characters epitomise Disney like no other: princesses, and animals. But while Disney’s portrayal of female characters has left much to be desired with change only happening relatively recently, the studio giant’s treatment of animals is still sorely lacking, as Nina Copleston so deftly explains.

REPORT: Britain’s pig farm crisis is getting worse, driven by the perfect storm of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the industry is proposing new ways to slaughter pigs on farms and launching desperate attempts to lure back migrant workers. Claire Hamlett updates us on the current situation.

With more and more children and young people becoming interested in veganism, here is a selection of non-fiction books on veganism and animal rights for young adults, whether they are already vegan or considering a more plant-based lifestyle.

To mark the release of our Veganuary 2022 video, here is our list of the five best books, films and documentaries to help humans shift their perspective to some of those who we exploit by not going plant-based. Do you know someone taking the Veganuary challenge? Send them our essential viewing and reading to help them make the ethical connection.

CULTURE: According to a recent study, animals have been declining in fiction since 1835, running parallel to animal extinction in our world. As animals and natural habits vanish around us, is it any surprise that they have disappeared from books too? And as we live increasingly urbanised lives, does this lack of fictionalised animal friends have real-life consequences?

Vegan parents are often faced with a dilemma when choosing children’s books. The classic stories are often rife with hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance, yet they reveal much about humanity’s relationship with animals, as Nina Copleston discusses.