Suzanne Carey September 10 1973 – February 24 2008, Animal Liberationist

although ive never met this person ,it is sad to lose a fighter for the animals

You get a good feeling from some people. We met once soon after I was released from prison in 1999 and I got that feeling. It was clear to me she was here to make a difference. Suzy, if you get the chance to do some haunting I have a list. With the greatest respect

Keith Mann

What time is the funeral?

I'm going to miss her. Her sense of humour was outstanding, her passion for life was strong and her passion for the animals even stronger.

My love to all her friends dealing with her loss.

George D

Although I did not know you well, I know the huge impact that you personally had on animals in Aotearoa and across the globe, you will be forever missed, and I hope your spirit carries on to fight another day, another way.

I have known Suzy for 6 years while fighting along side her for the lives of animals whenever possible. She was a great inspiration and always encouraged me to keep standing up for the animals.

I am going to miss you.

RIP

Our priceless Suzy. I got to know you over the past few years through my son and his wife. Every so often in our lives we have the chance to get to know some special people who are extremely passionate and live the change that they want to see in the world. You were that person who selflessly saved many beings who could not save themselves. Your reward is with them and I hope they are there with you now giving you comfort. There was always laughter in my home when you came and I enjoyed you letting me laugh with you. Thank you for coming into our lives. We will remember cherish these memories and your message, passion, gentleness and support for others who needed you. Haere ra, e wahine, haere, haere, haere. Rajen Prasad

Suzanne Elizebeth Carey
I knew Suz intimately, we developed a firery relationship during long nights sitting in her car outside homes of vivisectionists, factory farms and other assorted scum. I know she has personally saved countless lives and cost actual millions to the animal abuse industrial complex in New Zealand and UK. Her tireless work for the animals was never hindered by the 'pointless discussion' and petty squabbles that plagues political movements. Or as she would say, she would 'cut the crap'.

Although always displaying a quite and reserved front, her personality was actually strong and practical but loving once she let you in, and that was only reserved for those who were 'cool' in her eyes. And she would drop you if you ever disrespected that intimate trust. She always had a simplicity in her ideas that appealed to me and her results were always tangible.

She had a passion for vegan junk food, political punk, hip hop and ska. A fantastic sense of humor she was always making jokes that people not sharing our mind set would often find disturbing. She could always see the funny side even when were were sitting in the police cells and facing years in jail. One job she had was babysitting, she took care twin three years olds and while walking around KMart she would sometimes remark to the children "shut up or when we get home I'll lock you back in the cupboard" the twins laughed along with her while shocked mothers in earshot gave dirty looks. Suzy empathized with children and animals and had a way with them both. Her choice not to have children was a political one.

She worked but lived in debt and without any luxuries, including living at home for years because she was constantly pouring money into buying megaphone's, maintain her car, photocopying and tool kits and hoodies.

During the hardest times in my life Suzy supported me and shot down my detractors in times where I had become apathetic and disheartened. She helped me through serious depression and several times talked me away from suicide, I knew I could ring her late at night weather I had a car load of chickens or if I was feeling down and needed her to talk to. She was always perceptive when it came to other people, and if I had taken her advice I would've had a happier life with a few less crap people in it. She could always be relied upon to tell me to shut up or make me aware of being 'a drama queen'.

One funny story I can relate now about Suzy was how she got a small scar on her face. One night bricking shops in West Auckland a friend hiffed a large brick that bounced because it was aimed at the middle of the window rather than the edges and hit Suzy in the face. Seriously funny later but a little difficult to explain to A&E that night when she was bleeding badly.

If it wasn't for Suzy I wouldn't be Vegan, I wouldn't have got out of bed to do stalls and I wouldn't be a direct actionist in fact I might not even be here. I know you didn't have a concept of a higher power Suzy, you and I talked about this over chips and chocolate many times late at night. Because what sort of god would create hell on earth for earths most gentle creatures? But your karmic points or 'vegan points' were off the scale, you would be in a better place or reincarnated as a higher being. Of course thats bullshit and you want better for the animals now on earth. So I hope people take your life as example of how to live and as you would have said "shut up and start smashing shit."

My love to AAA, Sandra, Mum and the Family.

If anyone knows the contacts of the twins Suzy looked after, I am trying to track them down.

Please email me at media@ndu.org.nz or call 021 922 551

I last visited them with Suzy near Gisbourne and have their names but they appear to have moved.

Cheers,
Simon

So sad to hear that Suzanne has lost her battle with an illness we never knew she had. We've seen her on many a demonstration and will miss seeing her at demo's in the future.
Keith, on behalf of Unite Waitemata Branch

I first met Suzy in the early 1990s. At the time Auckland was quite active with animal rights demos every weekend. Suzy was Auckland coordinator for Save Animals From Exploitation until late 1996 but after that preferred to work on her own

In 1998 and 99 she lived in the UK for a year, causing all sorts of bother for shops selling fur coats in London.

One day Suzy and a couple of others were in her car driving around checking out factory farms around Auckland. We got to a turkey farm and she drove right up the driveway past the farmers living room. We could clearly see Mr and Mrs factory farmer watching TV on a Saturday afternoon. Are you sure this is a good idea Suzy? Shouldn't we wait until the farmer is gone? or maybe at night time? Too late, we are already here, stop asking questions and grab a turkey!

We waved at the farmer as we drove back down the driveway with two enormous turkeys on our laps! Suzy was like that, when it came to rescuing animals, careful planning and thinking ahead just slowed her down! I was constantly amazed at how much she got away with...

In November 1999 while traveling back to Auckland after a demo she was arrested at 3am in Bulls and accused of trashing several butcher shops, a meat warehouse and a bacon factory as she passed through Levin and Bulls. (She eventually got off most of it but was convicted for the meat warehouse)

In 2000 Suzy started the Fur Free Auckland campaign and became the main organiser of Auckland Animal Action. I didn't see her much after that as we ended up in different towns working on different things, but I still remember the old days when we would all pile into Suzies car for an expensive night out (well, expensive for animal abusers anyway!), almost every weekend, way back in the day.

good times
M@x

My deepest sympathy to her family, friends and Auckland Animal Action. A sad loss for the animal rights movement.

Tanja from Christchurch

So sorry to hear this news:-(
When i was travelling australia and new zealand i met suzy, she came to pick me up from the airport (just email contact we never met before) and i ended up staying at her house for a week.
Talking about animal right issues, going to a courtcase, demo's, looking after her animals, eating nice vegan goodies and she made sure the movement knew i was there so i had sleeping places all over new zealand...
Thank you suzy i meant a lot to me, you will be deeply missed...
My love goes out to all the loved ones she left behind, especially to sandra and her parents and all her close friends.
deepest sympathy carolien (the netherlands)

"Well-behaved women rarely make history".
A strong, independently-minded 'trouble-making' woman of principle and character.
I didn't even know you were ill and was blown away
with news of your untimely death.
Really enjoyed your 'take no shit' spirit and being arrested with you!

Suzy - you will be missed.

Lots of love xxx

Penny Bright

Will miss you heaps, your visits and the new members of my extended family you brought me at times. I am so lucky to have known you these past 14?? years. Suzy never wanted too many people to know about her illness and I worried over the past year how it had taken its toll. Through all she still remained as strong as she could. She was unique! & will always remain with me. I have such memories with suzy both as an activist and a friend. I truly thank you for coming into my life Suz & bringing so many others into my life. Forever your friend.

Condolences to friends and family. Sad to hear the news.
Zaid

Suzy’s death is certainly a tremendous loss to the animal rights movement in Aotearoa. I am awed by Suzy’s total commitment to saving and caring for animals.

Some of you will know that I am working on a book on the history of the animal rights movement and ethical vegetarianism in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sadly, it will not now be possible for me to interview Suzy, but I very much want to honour her life and many achievements with a profile in the upcoming book. So if you have any memories, stories, or photographs of Suzy that you would like to share for possible inclusion, please contact me at scorpii18@hotmail.com.

I would also like to incorporate some of the comments on this page into the book – if anyone feels this isn’t appropriate, please either contact me, or add a line to your posting stating this. As most comments are anonymous, I will simply be citing quotes as “a friend of Suzy” or “an activist.”

For more information about the book, please see:
http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/upcoming.html

Arohanui
Catherine

Suzy was one of my best mates, I think about her everyday, she reminds me of what I should be doing with my life, what my priorities should be. She inspired so many people with her values of love for all creatures. She was a fantastic person that will be missed by so many people and animals alike. No one can ever replace her, but we can all try and continue the beautiful work she was all about.
love you heaps! and miss you enormously xxx

Suzy was one of my best mates, I think about her everyday, she reminds me of what I should be doing with my life, what my priorities should be. She inspired so many people with her values of love for all creatures. She was a fantastic person that will be missed by so many people and animals alike. No one can ever replace her, but we can all try and continue the beautiful work she was all about.
love you heaps! and miss you enormously xxx