History

The Vegan Society, founded in 1944, has roots tracing back over 2,000 years to early advocates like Pythagoras and Buddha. In 1944, Donald Watson and five others established veganism as a movement, coining the term "vegan." The society's goal is to end animal exploitation, reflected in its definition as seeking to exclude all forms of cruelty to animals for any purpose. The society became a charity in 1964, evolving over time to promote animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. The current definition of veganism emphasizes avoiding all animal-derived products. The society maintains its commitment to promoting vegan lifestyles for the betterment of animals, people, and the environment.