Mike_Wolf

Thank you for asking this, you are correct, yesterday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill (HB 2150) that would weaken protections for farmed animals in the state. The bill is now sitting on the Governor's desk to be signed.

It is very important that the Governor veto this bill. I would encourage anyone who lives in Arizona (but only Arizona residents, please!) to call the Governor's office today and politely ask him to veto HB 2150.

The bill puts farmed animals in separate category from other animals with regards to the cruelty law in Arizona. This would make it easier for factory farm operators to abuse farmed animals.

The bill also contains a new provision that would make it more difficult to conduct investigations into Arizona's factory farms.

If you live in Arizona, please consider calling the Governor today! See this link for more details: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=9C021E9C3272450661035B7FF8973A74.app314b?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6751&autologin=true&s_src=em_ha032415

Working in those conditions definitely has a lasting impact on your mind and body. It changes you as a person. There are certain things that I will never, ever forget. But, I don't want to forget them--I think it would be an injustice for the animals if I was to look the other way and try to forget.

Working in the field you have to perform the job duties that are assigned to you. This means that you have to engage in what is called standard practice--for example, castrating a pig. Those practices I had to do, but I did not engage in abuse the way other workers did. I did end up standing out sometimes because I did not hit the animals the way other people did--but it worked out in the end.

Thank you so much! I think there is a lot of animosity towards our movement because deep down, maybe even on a subconscious level, people are aware that we are right. They put up their defenses because they are frightened of the unknown and of making a change to their lives.

I think the only transparency that we will ever have will be due to the undercover investigations. The ag industry is trying to pass ag-gag laws in order to prevent transparency--so that shows us just how much they have that they want to keep hidden. I think the best way to gain that transparency is to fight the ag-gag laws in each state when they are proposed.

Thank you for this question. I think that it goes beyond boycotting products from some specific companies. The most compassionate and efficient way to help animals is to leave them off of your plate--from any company. After my Smithfield investigation, my best friend said that he would never buy a Smithfield product again. I had to explain to him that all companies treated the animals the same. Once you are at that point, the best thing to do is to help spread awareness :)

Thank you very much! There is definitely a bleed-over between factory farms and family farms. For example, Craig Watts is a family farmer who is a contract grower for Perdue. You can see his story here: http://interactive.fusion.net/cock-fight/

Even when a small family farm is not connected with a major supplier, there are still many horrors that the animals endure. They still go through standard practices that painfully mutilate their bodies, they still live incredibly unnatural lives, and they still have their throats cut when they are killed. All animals fear death, I have seen it thousands of times. The look in their eyes shows that they know what is about to happen, and how incredible terrified they are.