| |
Each year in the United States, nearly 10 billion land animals
are raised and killed for food. Just like the dogs and cats we
welcome into our homes, chickens, pigs, turkeys, and cows have
their own personalities, inquisitive natures, likes and
dislikes, and—most importantly—the ability to feel pain, suffer
from boredom and frustration, and experience joy.
Yet these animals are routinely mistreated on industrialized
factory farms. No federal law protects animals from cruelty on
the farm, and most states exempt customary agricultural
practices—no matter how abusive—from the scope of their animal
cruelty statutes.
Reduce
Every hour in the United States, one million animals are
killed for human consumption. If each one of us cuts back on our
animal consumption by only 10%, approximately one billion
animals would be spared a lifetime of suffering each year.
Refine
If you do continue to eat animal products, know that not all
animal products are equal when it comes to animal welfare. Each
industry has its own abusive practices, and some are much more
cruel than others. For example, the chicken, egg, turkey, and
pork industries tend to be far more abusive to animals than the
beef industry. And a growing number of producers are raising
animals without intensive confinement. Refining your diet by
choosing cage-free animal products, instead of the conventional
factory farm products that fill most supermarket shelves, will
help to reduce animal suffering.
Replace
Each one of us can help prevent animals from suffering in
factory farms simply by choosing humanely raised products or vegetarian options.
Visit the HSUS Guide to Vegetarian Eating for more information
on how you can help farm animals when you eat, including
delicious recipes, tips on incorporating more animal-free meals
into your diet, shopping list suggestions, and much more. And
for more information on the lives of farm animals and other ways
you can help them, visit
www.FarmAnimalWelfare.org. |
