Abstract geometric art featuring bold, curved, and straight shapes.

Essays & Analysis Archive

This is an archive of Stray Dog Institute’s blog posts published between 2021-2023. Authored by Stray Dog Institute and, at times, guest authors, these essays articulate Stray Dog Institute’s perspectives on key issues shaping food system transformation and farmed animal advocacy.

Since 2024, our research has focused on larger, movement-serving projects such as the State of the Movement. We continue to share this earlier work because it offers context, insights, and analysis that remain relevant to ongoing conversations about food systems transformation, animal advocacy, philanthropy, and more. Please note that the information in these essays is not regularly updated.

2/24/22 2/24/22

The Potential Benefits and Pitfalls of Plant-based Foods

Keeping sight of all aspects of the common good can help plant-based foods usher in food system transformation.

10/7/21 10/7/21

Individual and Collective Pathways to Meat Reduction

Reducing meat production and consumption is a powerful tool for helping both people and animals, but it will require changes from the dinner table to the halls of government.

9/9/21 9/9/21

The Transformational Potential of Alternative Protein

Focusing the US food system around alternative protein offers simultaneous benefits for environmental health, human health, animal welfare, and the fight against food system inequality.

8/19/21 8/19/21

Is Plant-Based Meat Healthy?

There is a growing market for plant-based meats as a healthy alternative that can appeal to omnivores as well as vegans and vegetarians.

7/15/21 7/15/21

The Adverse Consequences of Industrial Agriculture

Industrial agriculture is the dominant method of food production in the US and worldwide. But at what cost?

2/4/21 2/4/21

The High Cost of Consuming Animals

Worldwide, roughly 70 billion animals are raised and slaughtered each year within the food system. Producing so many animals comes with a high price for us, for animals, and for our planet. These costs make the UN Sustainable Development Goals much harder to achieve.