Remembering Sarat Colling

In remembering scholar-activist Sarat Colling a friend to so many around the world, who has walked through the world gently, but with a powerful intentional thoughtful intersectional well articulate voice, we will begin with a biography she wrote for herself:

Sarat Colling

AREAS OF INTEREST

1. Anarchism
2. Animal Liberation
3. Animal Resistance
4. Transnational Feminism

Sarat Colling is a writer, activist, and critical animal studies scholar. She is the author of Animali in Rivolta, Chickpea Runs Away, Animal Resistance in the Global Capitalist Era, and contributions to several critical animal studies anthologies. Her focus on the topic of animal resistance began with an MA thesis in Critical Sociology titled “Animals Without Borders: Farmed Animal Resistance in New York.” Since becoming vegan in 2004, Sarat has volunteered with various animal advocacy and vegan organizations. She also works as the Program Director for the Natural History Centre on Hornby Island, BC.

I was born on Hornby Island, BC, surrounded by the Salish Sea and its many wild inhabitants. My early life spent exploring forests, beaches, and creek beds seeded an ethos of anti-speciesism and environmentalism. In 2004, during my first semester of university, I was introduced to the idea of animal rights and soon after became a vegan and animal advocate. After completing my master’s thesis, “Animals Without Borders,” I published several books, including Animal Resistance in the Global Capitalist Era (2020) and the children’s book Chickpea Runs Away (2019). I have now returned to my island roots, residing in a handmade tiny house that I share with my exuberant rescued chihuahua, Xena. Currently, I am writing a new book that tells 50 stories of animal rebels who have defied human control throughout history. Find out more.

ABOUT SARAT WRITTEN BY SARAT

I was born on Hornby Island, BC, into an artistic family, surrounded by the Salish Sea and its wild inhabitants. My early life spent exploring forests, beaches, and creek beds seeded an ethos of anti-speciesism and environmentalism.

In 2004, during my first semester of university, I was introduced to the philosophy of animal rights and soon after became a vegan and animal advocate. I later moved to Ontario, where I studied English and Sociology at Brock University. While there, I became active in a community of Critical Animal Studies scholar-activists, co-organizing international conferences, attending protests, and pursuing a master’s degree in the sociology department.

My thesis, “Animals without Borders: Farmed Animal Resistance in New York,” published in Italy as Animali in Rivolta (2017), explored the often-overlooked narratives of animals who resist human exploitation. Expanding on this work, I independently researched and wrote Animal Resistance in the Global Capitalist Era (2020) and my first children’s book, Chickpea Runs Away (2019).

Today, I have returned to my island roots. I live in a handmade tiny house, in the company of Xena, an exuberant rescued chihuahua. From 2015 to 2022, I worked as the program coordinator for the island’s local natural history centre. Now, my hours are spent writing, drawing, walking with Xena, and being immersed in the wildness that inspires my work.

My passion for amplifying stories of animal agency continues, and I am currently working on a book that commemorates 50 stories of animal rebels. The book features beautiful, original portraits of the animal rebels by artists who are passionate about animal advocacy. All proceeds from the book will go to supporting the animal sanctuary movement.

Her Publications Include:

Anthology Contributions

Colling, S. “Fuga verso il selvaggio: Flaviu e il mistero di Dartmoor (Escape to the Wild: Flaviu and the Mystery of Dartmoor).” Zanne: Cronache Ribelli sulla Resistenza Animale. Cronache Ribelli, 2024.

Colling, S. “Preface.” Intersectionality of Critical Animal Studies: A Historical Collection, edited by A. J. Nocella and A. George, Peter Lang, 2019, pp. ix-xii.

Colling, S. “Animal Agency, Resistance, and Escape.” Critical Animal Studies: Towards Trans-species Social Justice, edited by M. Atsuko and J. Sorenson, Rowman & Littlefield, 2018, pp. 21-44.

Corman, L., and S. Colling. “Propagandhi.” Rebel Music: Resistance through Hip Hop and Punk, edited by P. Parmar et al., Information Age Publishing, 2015, pp. 29-39.

Colling, S., S. Parson, and A. Alessandro. “Until All Are Free: Total Liberation through Revolutionary Decolonization, Groundless Solidarity, and a Relationship Framework.” Defining Critical Animal Studies: An Intersectional Social Justice Approach for Liberation, edited by A. J. Nocella et al., Peter Lang Publishing, 2014, pp. 51-73.

Colling, S. “Transnational Feminism and Eco-ability: Transgressing the Borders of Normalcy and Nation.” Eco-Ability and Inclusive Education: Nature, Animals, and Disability, edited by J. K. Bentley et al., Peter Lang Publishing, 2012, pp. 91-107.

Articles

Colling, S. “Quando le Orche Parlano – Ascoltate Attentamente (When Orcas Speak – Listen Carefully.)” Liberazioni – Rivista di critica antispecista, no. 56, 2024.

Colling, S. “When Orcas Speak: Listen Carefully.” Medium, 27 Nov. 2023.

Colling, S. “Living Simply in a Tiny House.” Folklife, vol. 7, “An Education,” 2023, pp. 96-99.

Colling, S. Review of Children’s Literature, Domestication, and Social Foundation – Narratives of Civilization and Wilderness. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, p. 6.

Books

Colling, S. Animal Resistance in the Global Capitalist Era. MSU Press, 2020.

Colling, S. Chickpea Runs Away. Vegan Publishers, 2019.

Colling, S. Animali in Rivolta: Confini, Resistenza e Solidarietà Umana (Animals in Revolt: Borders, Resistance, and Human Solidarity). Mimesis Publishers, 2017.