She Was Kicked in the Face, Ribs, and Back ... November 2, 2009

Posted by Ryan at November 2, 2009 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

This is the heartbreaking true story of a downed cow who was kicked in the face, ribs, and back in an effort to get her to stand up.

What do you call someone who kicks a defenseless animal when they're down?

Michigan Bans Crates and Cages! October 13, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at October 13, 2009 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

commons.wikipedia / CC

Mother pigs don't want to be confined in crates so small they can't turn around or lie down comfortably, and chickens don't want to be forced into cages so tiny that they can never spread a single wing—and now in Michigan, they won't be. Governor Jennifer Granholm has just signed a bill into law that phases out veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates on farms across the state!

Of course, we all know that animals aren't here to be abused, slaughtered and eaten. They have feelings, have families, and feel fear before they feel the blade, and we all know that no animal should be born only to be killed at all—so why are we celebrating this victory for animals?

I was born and raised in the city limits of Detroit, Michigan, one of the coldest, harshest cities in the country, where both compassion for animals and people can sometimes be hard to find. It is truly amazing to see these laws for animals spreading in all parts of the country, from California to Michigan. I am vegan, and I believe in animal rights, and I also believe that if the fight for animal rights is all or nothing, it will simply be nothing.

There are millions of animals in cages right now, and in crates or chains, waiting for freedom. We cannot only answer to those who we want to never suffer, but those who are suffering right now. Eliminating veal crates—the crates that baby cows are chained to by the neck for most of their lives before slaughter, and battery cages—the tiny cages chickens are crammed into that are too small for them to even spread a wing, will not be the end of the fight, nor is it the beginning of the fight—it is progress in the fight.

We are making a difference, but as much as we'd like it to, the whole world won't go vegan overnight, it's going to take time. For the millions of animals who are suffering in these devices of torture right now, the elimination of these cages and crates means less pain, and less suffering—how can anyone who cares about animals not support that?

Congratulations on helping to show people—including lawmakers—everywhere that animals matter. Keep up the good fight!

Milk Drinkers: Try to Stomach This One October 2, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at October 2, 2009 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 18 ) | TrackBack

Calves are chained by the neck into crates so small they can't turn around or lay down comfortably.
advocacy.brittanica / CC

Aside from the disgusting undercover investigation we launched earlier this week into a supplier for Land O' Lakes—showing farm workers kicking and electro-shocking cows too sick to stand up—what's another convincing reason to stop drinking pus, I mean milk?

The veal industry. Baby cows, because their mom's milk ends up on store shelves, are torn from their mothers hours after they're born and then kept weak and immobile in filthy pens for the entirety of their short lives. And if that fails to register your compassion or your disgust, let's try this: Veal just might be laced with poison.

That's right—federal charges have been issued against Select Veal Foods Inc. for allegedly lacing feed with formaldehyde in order to lessen diarrhea and with potassium permanganate to ensure that the anemic calves' flesh appeared even lighter. Wayne Marcho and Select Veal Feeds are expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of misbranding under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The company also faces a felony charge for lying to Food and Drug Administration inspectors.

The moral of this story? Every glass of milk you drink has a little veal in it. Not only do you contribute to the suffering of an infant, you also risk eating toxic chemicals that you'd find in your high school chemistry lab. What can you do? Try veganism today!

Maine Bans Veal and Gestation Crates! May 14, 2009

Posted by Ryan at May 14, 2009 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

Chalk up another victory against the meat industry!

Maine has become the sixth US state to ban some of the cruelest methods of raising animals killed for food. Governor John Baldacci has signed into law a ban on gestation crates for pigs and veal crates for calves, both of which prevent animals from being able to even turn around.

It goes without saying that even without these crates, animals will still suffer terribly when raised and killed for their flesh. However, any steps that make it more difficult for the meat industry to torture animals is a step in the right direction, eh?

As you may recall, similar bans have passed in California, Florida, and various other states, so greedy meat industry executives are less than pleased, I'm sure. With any luck, these scenes will soon be a thing of the past:

Fun Facts: Maine is also the largest producer of wild blueberries in the world, and the only state in the U.S. whose name has just one syllable. Who knew?

10% Wool December 31, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi at December 31, 2008 6:43 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

Awww!

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To check out past installments of the strips, click here.