National Veal Ban Action Day
National Veal Ban Action Day gets people thinking about something often hidden behind closed doors—the lives of baby calves.
It’s not just about cutting out a type of meat. It’s about understanding what those animals go through before they end up on someone’s plate. Many are confined in small crates, barely able to move. This day asks us to stop and consider what kind of world we support with our choices.
It’s a moment to speak up for those who can’t. People from all walks of life—animal lovers, parents, students, chefs—join in to say enough is enough.
They share stories, spark conversations, and question the cost of cruelty. Every small action matters. Together, they push for change, not just in farming, but in hearts and minds. This day reminds us that kindness should never be left off the menu.
How to Celebrate National Veal Ban Action Day
National Veal Ban Action Day is the perfect opportunity to take a stand for animals and rethink the choices we make every day.
Start with Your Plate
Skip veal for the day and try a delicious plant-based alternative. Explore new recipes that don’t involve animal products.
Choose meals that reflect compassion and creativity. A colorful vegetable stir-fry or hearty lentil stew can surprise you.
Share a homemade meat-free dish with friends to spark interest. Let your choices show your values, one bite at a time.
Watch and Learn
Stream a documentary or short video that shows how veal is produced. Real footage helps people understand the impact behind the scenes.
Stories stick with us more than facts alone. Make time to reflect afterward and talk it through with someone.
Awareness begins when you look beyond the surface. Let the truth guide you toward more thoughtful decisions.
Speak Up
Use your voice on social media to start a conversation. Post a fact, share a story, or ask a question. Encourage others to learn more.
Tag organizations that support ethical farming. Use hashtags that highlight animal welfare. Even a short post can create a ripple effect. Change often starts with one bold sentence.
Support the Cause
Donate to a group working to end factory farming. Help fund rescues, investigations, or education campaigns.
Volunteer time if giving money isn’t an option. Local shelters and sanctuaries also welcome help. Your effort can protect animals in need. Every step—big or small—makes a difference when it comes from the heart.
Teach the Next Generation
Talk to children about kindness to animals. Use books, games, or stories to keep it age-appropriate. Help them see that animals have feelings too.
Encourage empathy in everyday life. Show them how choices at the store matter. When kids grow up informed, they grow up kinder. Compassion can start at any age.
History of National Veal Ban Action Day
National Veal Ban Action Day began in 1982. Dr. Alex Hershaft, a Holocaust survivor and animal rights activist, started it. He founded the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) after attending the World Vegetarian Congress in 1981.
The event started as the Veal Ban Campaign, aiming to end the cruel treatment of calves in veal production.
Veal comes from young calves, often taken from their mothers shortly after birth. These calves are confined in small crates, restricting movement to keep their meat tender. They are fed a liquid diet lacking essential nutrients, leading to anemia and other health issues.
The campaign gained momentum through public awareness and protests. In 1983, FARM established World Day for Farmed Animals to highlight the suffering of animals raised for food.
Over time, the Veal Ban Campaign evolved into National Veal Ban Action Day, observed annually on the second Sunday of May.
The movement has led to significant changes. Veal consumption in the U.S. has declined dramatically. Some states have banned veal crates, and public awareness about animal welfare has increased.
National Veal Ban Action Day continues to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and encourages people to consider the origins of their food.​
See what else is happening…
There’s always more going on every month at Days Of The Year. Here are our favorites this month!
Also on ...
View all holidays
National Eat What You Want Day
Drop your rules and restrictions around eating and just enjoy life a little by eating what you want on this health and body image conscious day.
National Technology Day
From smartphones to social media, and with new innovations emerging every day, it's exciting to see how tech will shape our future.
National Twilight Zone Day
Enter another dimension…a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. Binge some of Rod Serling’s mind-bending episodes of The Twilight Zone.
We think you may also like...
National Chicken Month
Fry it, roast it, stick it in a soup…pick your favorite way to eat chicken, and have fun trying out new recipes for this versatile and tasty bird.
National Roast Suckling Pig Day
A mouthwatering centerpiece, crispy on the outside, tender inside, its aroma filling the air - a feast fit for a king.
National Crown Roast of Pork Day
A magnificent culinary creation — a pork masterpiece that's as regal as it is delicious, fit for a feast to remember.
National Escargot Day
It was a brave man who first ate a snail. Yet, escargot is a classic French delicacy, and possibly the first farmed creatures in history. Give it a try, at least.
