Dan Piraro - Bizarro

Dan Piraro is a cartoonist, comedian, vegan and animal rights activist. His award-winning cartoon, Bizarro, appears in newspapers nationwide. Since becoming vegan seven years ago, Dan has spread his message through art, comedy and activism. He is also a founding member of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Naturally Savvy Guide, Andrea Donsky: Dan, can you tell me about how you got started as a cartoonist?

Dan Piraro: As a kid I had all the typical interests that boys do, but my favorite thing in the entire world was drawing. I would draw before I could read or write. During my school years I wanted to make a living as an artist. I went to university on a Fine Arts scholarship, but I just didn't enjoy it. I quit after the 1^st semester, and tried my hand at painting. Then later on I got into commercial art as an illustrator, but I kept looking for ways to make a living as an artist that I would really enjoy. I had always drawn cartoons for my own amusement, and one of my friends encouraged me to try to get them published. It took a couple of years but it finally happened. The way syndicates work is they launch a new feature and sell it into the newspapers. I made about $100 a month at first which is the worst get rich quick scheme ever. Bizarro was initially picked up by just seven newspapers - now it's up to about 350.

Andrea: How did you make the transition into stand-up comedy?

Dan Piraro: I started performing and doing stand-up a few years back to talk about my cartoon career. Gradually, I got better at making people laugh and eventually it turned into a show.

Andrea: What encouraged you to become a vegan?

Dan Piraro: I became vegan entirely for ethical reasons, not for health reasons. But, having done so I have learned about and reaped the many benefits for myself and the planet. It hit me one day when I was visiting a farm animal sanctuary with my wife 7 years ago in Watkins Glen, NY. Like so many others, I had always told myself there are "friendly" animals and there are "food" animals and because we are so used to that concept we assume it is a natural thing. I told myself that cows are stupid eating machines to justify my meat eating. I would never treat a cat, dog or horse the way factory farms routinely treat cattle, chickens and pigs. I suddenly realized that I don't have the right to decide who lives and who dies and that these "food" animals are just as feeling and thinking as the other ones. When it comes to suffering, the only difference between us and the animals we eat is that they can't afford lawyers. On that day I lost my sense of entitlement over animals. I felt naturally compassionate for them. When I perform I ask the crowd "Who enjoys abusing animals?" No one raises their hands, but the truth is we all do it because we are subsidizing the meat industry. We are torturing and killing animals simply because they taste good, and not because it's necessary for our health or the environment. When the light went on in my head I was instantly ashamed.

Andrea: What kind of reception did you get when you started incorporating vegan and animal cruelty themes in your cartoons?

Dan Piraro: I didn't start out with a real plan to slip veganism and animal cruelty into my cartoons - and you won't find them in every single cartoon either. I've been producing a cartoon a day for almost 25 years. It can be challenging to think of something new every day, and after a while you start writing about things in your life and thoughts in your head. In the seven years I've been doing it I've gotten maybe five negative responses, mostly from angry hunter-types. But overall, it's been really positive. I've received thousands of positive letters from people of the same philosophy - people who are the only vegetarian in small town, who find it comforting to see someone in the public eye talk about it - they don't feel like such an outsider. I've also gotten letters from people who have changed their lifestyles because of my cartoon. I had no evangelic intentions when I started, but the reception has been outstanding.

Andrea: How do you ensure you are getting the proper nutrients in your diet?

Dan Piraro: My wife was already vegan when we met, so she knew the ropes and what products to buy. I was asked to speak at a medical conference in California about the health benefits of a plant-based diet. While I was there I listened to doctors and learned a lot about how to fine tune my diet. At first there is a bit of a learning curve but once you figure it out it becomes a lifestyle of substitution and not sacrifice.

Andrea: How do you maintain balance in your life?

Dan Piraro: I don't. That's something I am actually missing.  I spend a lot of time working on my cartoons, art, and blogging every day. I like staying busy but I tend not to socialize as much as I should. I force myself to exercise when the weather is nice. I miss it when I don't. One thing I have been doing lately is learning how to play guitar. I practice for about an hour every day, and I find it to be a surprisingly regenerating activity. It clears my mind of deadlines and obligations and it`s almost meditative. I really enjoy it.

Andrea: Does your lifestyle incorporate natural and organic products?

Dan Piraro: Yes, definitely. My wife has always been very active in environmental issues - since she was a teenager. Like most Americans, I really only knew about recycling. When I became vegan I learned a lot more about it. Even if all animals were farmed humanely we would still have 100 billion farm animals on the planet at any given time. Plants are 12 to 16 times more efficient in feeding humans. That is to say that a cow is fed the equivalent of 16 (human) meals of plants and water to create a single steak. We eat organic food because of health reasons and environmental reasons. We also really try to steer clear of processed foods. My wife loves to cook. She is a whiz and she's very creative. She's great with nut cheeses.

Andrea: What tips do you have for people thinking about adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle?

Dan Piraro: The internet makes it so much simpler today - you go to Google and type ‘'becoming vegan" and all the information is right there. One of my favorite sites is www.pcrm.org (Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine) which is run by doctors of all kinds who advocate for plant-based diets. You can feel good about your choice thanks to the information on this site. The medical legitimacy gives you great ammunition against the people who say you're crazy to do it.

Andrea: Thanks for speaking with us, Dan!

To learn more about Dan and Bizarro, visit his website at www.Bizarro.com and daily blog at www.BizarroComic.Blogspot.com.