Vegans are against any exploitation and slaughter of animals. For dairy cows to provide milk, they have to be impregnated and give birth about once a year. Since the calf will drink the mother's milk, and cut into their profits, the calf is separated from their mothers. Male calves are often sold into the veal industry or slaughtered for meat later. Female calves are then turned into dairy cows once they grow up. Once female cows stop providing milk after an average of five years because of the stress on their bodies (when they can live to be 20+ years) they are then sent to the slaughter house.