Calves Slaughter Abuse Must End

I’ve watched some horrific videos in the past of slaughterhouses, but I cannot watch this one. But if you can stomach it, watch it because it will change the way you view corporate farming and perhaps even change you.

At this particular slaughterhouse in Vermont, USDA inspector apparrently did not enforce the required humane laws for the treatment of these calves. These animals were treated with the most unspeakable abuse  and cruelty. Treatment of infant calves are merciless.

Here’s a quote from Humane Society: “In one scene, a worker attempts to skin a calf who is still alive, directly in front of a USDA inspector. This government official tells the worker, on hidden camera, that if another USDA inspector saw this, the plant would be shut down, but he allows the abuse to continue. In another scene, the slaughter plant’s co-owner, who has claimed in press reports that he had no knowledge of cruel treatment at his facility, is shown shocking downed calves with electric prods in futile attempts to force them to stand. Prodding one calf to stand up, he says to the animal, “There ain’t nothing wrong with you, sh*t box.” At one point he jokes that one of the staggering calves “looks like you on a Friday night,” referring to the USDA inspector, who laughs at the co-owner’s joke.”

This story was exposed on CNN also. You can do two things: 1) Donate to the HSUS here to help them spread the word and enforce stricter federal policies on factory farming, or write to Ask USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to act immediately to prevent this cruelty from happening at other slaughter plants.

Filed under: animal cruelty, corporations that fund cruel practices, humane farming, local issues , calves, corporate farming, factory farming, livestock, slaughterhouse, veal

What’s Wrong With Fur

In the old days, fur was a mean for human survival in the wild. Humans killed animals for food, fur to protect themselves from harsh climates, and bones for tools. Today, carnivorism has not changed, which can be argued as ‘natural’ since this has been so engrained into our upbringing and subconscious appetite. For vegans and vegetarians, we applaud you for shedding meat off their list. It’s not only a humane thing to do, but it is also healthy to consume less red meat. But if you insist on eating meat, at least going the organic route since it is more humane.

As for fur, it is simply inexcusable to continue this barbaric practice in modern society. There are, of course, still tribes throughout the world where people still depend on fur for survival. But 95% of society today will buy or wear fur for glamour, fashion, status, and luxurious living. When one thinks even briefly about how animals suffer for this purpose, he or she will cringe for a moment. It used to be bears, tigers, foxes, minks and rabbits, and now some countries have added dogs and cats, like in China. This industry, if not breeding animals to slaughter, will capture homeless animals, or even abduct neighborhood companions, to torture, skin alive, beaten, even boiled animals for their fur and meat. Human perpetrators are not simply farm workers, they have been trained to become unfeeling, sadistic, callous, and mean people who don’t see animals as living beings. They laugh, smoke cigarettes and find satisfaction WHILE they are bludgeoning the animals to death. Much like in our own country today, farm animals like cows, pigs, horses, goats are being treated at factory farms in ways one can’t even imagine. If we eat the meat and wear the fur from animals that suffer that much, what does that make us? Some people would say, “well, this is the way we are, it’s none of our business, and it’s stupid to put so much thought into inferior beings- what about people?”, well, that’s like saying we should not end genocide, not help starving children and societies in the 3rd world, not give assistance to the hungry and diseased in Africa and other improverish nations. If you don’t think about it, it is not your concern and you can go on living your happy lives. This way of thinking is one-sided, irresponsible and selfish.

It is an excruciating fact to know this, and we must educate ourselves about this and spread the word. This winter, when you buy coats with “faux fur trims”, be sure to carefully judge for yourself if it is really faux. It could be racoon, or dog and cat fur. Especially if the garment is made in China – beware.

Thanks for reading. And don’t go accusing me to be some Peta-loving extremist. I am not in the slightest. I’m just any regular person in this world trying to make a difference, and animal welfare happen to be one of them.

Filed under: Resources, animal cruelty, dogs and cats, farm animals, humane farming, international issues, local issues , carnivorism, china, dog and cat fur, factory farming, fur

National Conference on Animal Protection July 19-21

Leading animal protection agencies will be hosting a conference in our nation’s capital to address current issues of animal welfare on July 19-21. If you’re in the neighborhood or feel like taking a nice trip down to D.C. this will be an educational event if you love and care for animals.

Here you will hear from 75 experts on animal campaigning and visit more than 500 exhibitors from all over the world. Speak with advocates in person about your concerns and interests. Rally at the Capitol’s doorstep to demand action against the cruelty of puppy mills. Get the latest scoop on factory farming, local animal abuse, animal fighting, and many more. Volunteer or sign up for a job and join in the fight for animals.

Register for the conference here

Filed under: Resources, Take Action, farm animals, friends, humane organizations, local issues, puppy mills , animal campaigning, animal fighting, animal protection, conference, factory farming, puppy mills, take action 2008

Victory on Factory Farming

Recently there has been a lot of news on factory farming cruelty exposed by the HSUS in one of the largest recall on cattle meat in recently history. The USDA today announced a complete ban on the slaughter of downed cattle for human consumption. In the past, there had been no real inspection practices in slaughter trails and auctions. Sick and crippled cows, too frail to walk to the slaughter line were electrocuted, kicked, forklifted, and forcefully dragged to be slaughtered—just plain needless torment for the cows. This is not only extremely inhumane but also poses major health risks for people as sick animals subject us to diseases such as ecoli, mad cow diseases.

This is a major victory – now that the loophole is closed we will only hope that this will be carried out. The HSUS and other animal welfare organizations will push for stronger federal legislation to ensure humane euthanasia of downers and protect farm animals from abuse. Read the full article here.

Just because we eat them, doesn’t mean they should suffer and die in such an awful way. We are what we eat. The better we treat the animals, the less chance we will subject ourselves to health risks. Better yet, go organic or become vegetarian.

(photo: a downed cow left to suffer at auction – from HSUS)

Filed under: animal cruelty, farm animals, humane farming, humane organizations, local issues , animal abuse, animal suffering, cows, diseases, downed animals, factory farming, humane slaughter, USDA