|
 |
Animal Acres works with other local and national organizations to prevent farmed animal suffering at California stockyards, livestock auctions, factory farms, and slaughterhouses. Here's some of the campaigns, and ways, you can join with Animal Acres to prevent cruelty to farmed animals.
ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS & ACTIONS
Animal Acres is working to enforce the California Downed Animal Protection Law, which prohibits selling, abandoning, and dragging downed animals. Our cruelty investigators go directly to the auctions to monitor conditions, and when a downed animal is found, we work with the auction facility and/or area law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the law. Livestock auctions and markets WILL comply with the law IF animal advocates are there to enforce it.
FARMED ANIMAL PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Over ten billion farmed animals are raised for food production every year, yet most states specifically exclude farmed animals from state anti-cruelty laws, either explicitly or through the interpretation of what is considered a "normal or acceptable" animal agricultural practice. The result? Chickens, cows, pigs and other living feeling animals are subject to horrendous cruelties and neglect, and abusive practices are considered "business as usual."
California is one of the largest animal agricultural states in the country, ranking #1 in dairy production, and it is in the top ten production states for egg and turkey production. Every year, hundreds of millions of animals suffer from cruel production, transportation, and slaughter practices.
On dairy production farms, hundreds of cows are placed into large "dairy lots", where the animals live in large dirt lots without adequate shelter. During severe rain storms, cows are left for days standing in mud and manure so thick, the animals cannot reach food, lie down, or even walk - yet no dairy in California has ever been charged with cruelty to animals. On poultry farms, animals are severely overcrowded, and when communicable diseases such as Avian influenza hit, chickens have been disposed of by throwing them alive into wood chippers - yet no egg farm has been charged with cruelty to animals.
In intensive confinement operations used to produce pork, eggs, and veal, animals are crowed into cages or crates so small, the animals cannot walk, turn around, or stretch their limbs. Every year, millions of farmed animals in California endure severe confinement for their entire lives, yet these practices are considered so cruel, they have been banned in other countries, and the states of Florida and Arizona.
California has over 49 livestock auctions and stockyards, and everyday, hundreds of animals suffer cruelty and neglect during the marketing process. Sick and injured animals too weak to even stand (called "downers" ) are left suffering for hours or dragged to slaughter with chains. Downed animals are left for hours in auction pens or stockyard parking lots without shelter, water, or food. Sick animals do not receive veterinary care, and debilitated animals suffering from broken legs and other injuries are forced to stumble through auction rings. Animals who are considered "worthless" and no longer marketable are abandoned, and left to die slowly from starvation and neglect.
|
