Ethically sourced blood is hard to come by, especially if you're a vampire who's turned vegetarian.
Bethany, a self-proclaimed "veggie vamp", has been on a mission to find blood that adheres to her ethical standards. "I'm just trying to do my part for the environment and animal welfare," she says.
But it's not easy being a vampire and trying to find ethical blood sources. Most of the blood available comes from factory farms, where animals are kept in cramped conditions and treated inhumanely.
"I don't want to support that kind of industry," Bethany says. "But at the same time, I need blood to survive."
So Bethany has been getting creative with her sources of sustenance. She's been asking her fellow supernatural beings for donations, and even trying to convince humans to donate their blood willingly.
"It's not as easy as it sounds," she says. "Most humans are understandably wary when a vampire asks for a 'donation'."
Bethany has been doing her best to reassure donors that she won't harm them, but it's a tough sell. "People have seen too many horror movies," she says.
Despite the challenges, Bethany remains optimistic about finding ethically sourced blood. "It's a small step, but every little bit helps," she says.
In the meantime, she's been experimenting with alternative sources of sustenance. "I've been trying out different vegan blood substitutes," she says. "They're not as satisfying as the real thing, but they'll do in a pinch."
One thing's for sure: being a veggie vamp is no easy feat. "It's a lot of work, but I believe in living a life that aligns with my values," Bethany says.
As for the future, Bethany is hopeful that more vampires will start taking ethical considerations into account when it comes to their diet. "Who knows, maybe one day there will be entire colonies of veggie vamps," she muses.
In the meantime, she's content to continue on her quest for ethically sourced blood, one donation at a time.
