Hug a Vegetarian Day is a holiday that’s observed annually on the fourth Friday of September. It’s a day during which people are encouraged to show some appreciation to those who have decided that their lives would be better off without eating meat.

It’s been estimated that the average vegetarian saves more than 25 land animals each year. These are animals that are not only saved from the pain and suffering of being raised and slaughtered for food but also animals that don’t contribute to environmental pollution.

While that might not sound like a big deal to the average meat-eater, the fact is that vegetarians are helping to protect the environment with their dietary choices.

The History of Hug a Vegetarian Day

Even though we’re unsure of the exact date when this holiday was created, we do know that it was created by PETA. For those who may not be familiar with this organization, PETA stands for “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.”

It’s an American nonprofit animal rights organization that’s based in Norfolk, Virginia, and was founded on March 22nd, 1980, in Rockville, Maryland. They created this holiday to encourage people to eat less meat and to raise public awareness about the inhumane treatment that animals face in our corporate food system.

Some Quick Facts About Vegetarianism

We’ve gathered together quite a few facts about vegetarianism that people might find interesting. It’s our sincere hope that everyone reading the following facts finds them informative and educational. And hopefully, they will lead some people to question the way they eat.

• It’s been estimated that over 1.2 billion people could be fed by the grain that is currently used to feed livestock.
• It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat, while only 25 gallons of water are needed to produce a pound of wheat.
• Eight out of ten cases of food poisoning are due to consuming contaminated meat.
• Just about any wrap or sandwich can be made vegetarian or vegan.

Observing Hug a Vegetarian Day

While a person might not know a vegetarian to hug on this day, this holiday can still be observed. All that’s required is for individuals to take the time to consider the amount of meat they consume.

Some people may even want to try out a vegetarian or vegan diet for the day. Others might simply want to raise awareness of Hug a Vegetarian Day by using the hashtag #HugAVegetarianDay on social media.