September 2010 Archives

Texans got a taste of delicious and cruelty-free food when MFA volunteers distributed free vegan breakfast sandwiches and veggie dogs to passersby last week. Just hours after a new McDonald's restaurant opened in downtown Dallas, MFA advocates were there to hand out hundreds of vegan "McMuffin" samples made with Gimme Lean meatless sausage and Galaxy Nutritional Foods soy cheese. The response was overwhelmingly positive - garnering media covered by both Pegasus News and the Dallas Observer.

In an enlightened piece in The Washington Post on Sunday, author Kwame Anthony Appiah predicts that, like the condemnation of slavery and the oppression of women as barbaric today, our current system of industrial meat production will shock and horrify future generations. Appiah notes that, as with slavery, opposition to cruelty to animals has been mounting for centuries and that only through invoking "tradition, human nature or necessity" and "strategic ignorance" is it allowed to continue. Of course, the trick is not to look back at past generations in dismay, but to recognize the injustices and cruelties perpetrated in our own time and to work to stop them.

"The arguments against the cruelty of factory farming have certainly been around a long time; it was Jeremy Bentham, in the 18th century, who observed that, when it comes to the treatment of animals, the key question is not whether animals can reason but whether they can suffer. People who eat factory-farmed bacon or chicken rarely offer a moral justification for what they're doing. Instead, they try not to think about it too much, shying away from stomach-turning stories about what goes on in our industrial abattoirs" writes Appiah.

When most people are exposed to the reality of modern animal agriculture, particularly through undercover investigations that show how animals are treated when the industry doesn't think anyone is watching, they are shocked and outraged. Luckily, each of us has the immediate power to end our support of needless cruelty to animals every time we sit down to eat by choosing healthy and humane vegan alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs. It's easy, and the animals and your grandchildren will thank you for it. Here's how to get started.

Animal advocates across the globe will honor Mohandas Gandhi's birthday on October 2nd by celebrating World Farm Animals Day. In its twenty-eighth year, this occasion aims to expose the suffering of animals raised for meat, eggs and dairy products. Vigils, peaceful demonstrations and other creative outreach events are planned through early November. 

Mercy For Animals volunteers in New York came out in force for the 7th Annual NYC Marriage Equality March on Sunday. Wearing MFA logo tees and carrying rainbow flags behind a banner that declares, "No one is free when others are oppressed," MFA joined thousands of New Yorkers as they marched proudly across the Brooklyn Bridge to speak up justice and equality. 

On Saturday, MFA's team of New York volunteers hit the streets with frozen vegan treats! Eager to get their hands on So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk ice cream sandwiches, hundreds of people were given a taste of veganism along with "Vegetarian Eating" brochures that outline the many benefits of plant-based living!

This morning, Billy Joe Gregg, Jr., a worker at Conklin Dairy Farms caught on hidden camera during a Mercy For Animals investigation maliciously abusing cows and calves, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Gregg was sentenced to eight months in jail, ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and is barred from contact with animals for three years. Gregg must also receive counseling through a program that specializes in treating individuals involved in animal abuse cases.

Gregg's arrest and conviction stem from chilling undercover footage recorded during a Mercy For Animals investigation earlier this year at Conklin Dairy Farms in Plain City, Ohio.

During a four-week investigation in April and May, MFA's investigator documented farm workers:

• Violently punching young calves in the face, body slamming them to the ground, and pulling and throwing them by their ears
• Routinely using pitchforks to stab cows in the face, legs and stomach
• Kicking "downed" cows (those too injured to stand) in the face and neck - abuse carried out and encouraged by the farm's owner
• Maliciously beating restrained cows in the face with crowbars - some attacks involving over 40 blows to the head
• Twisting cows' tails until the bones snapped
• Punching cows' udders
• Bragging about stabbing, dragging, shooting, breaking bones, and beating cows and calves to death

Sadly, cruelty to farmed animals in Ohio - no matter how egregious - is classified as a mere misdemeanor. Ohio has some of the weakest animal protection laws in the nation - ranking 43rd out of all 50 states. Further, no federal laws provide protection for farmed animals during their lives on the farm. Such inadequate state laws and the absence of federal laws lead to rampant abuse.

The deplorable conditions uncovered at Conklin Dairy Farms further highlight the reality that animal agriculture cannot be trusted to self-regulate and that meaningful federal and state law must be implemented and strengthened to prevent egregious cruelty to farmed animals.

"Gregg's punishment is a slap on the wrist compared to the unimaginable suffering endured by the animals who were victims of his malicious abuse," says MFA's Executive Director, Nathan Runkle. "It's an outrage that in Ohio it's a mere misdemeanor to sadistically punch, beat and stab farmed animals, break their bones and otherwise torture them. This case should serve as a wake-up call to all compassionate citizens that Ohio must do more to strengthen its animal cruelty laws."

Although many of the abuses documented at Conklin Dairy Farms are expressions of Gregg's sadistic pathology, numerous MFA undercover investigations at dairy farms, pig farms, egg farms, hatcheries and slaughterhouses have revealed that violence and abuse to farmed animals - whether malicious or institutionalized - run rampant nationwide.

Compassionate consumers can end their direct financial support of farmed animal abuse by rejecting dairy, and other animal products, and adopting a vegan diet.

Consumer demand for healthy and cruelty-free fare has never been greater - and savvy celebrity chefs are looking for a piece of the action. Meat-loving chef Mario Batali recently caused a stir by adding "Meatless Mondays" entrées to his restaurants, and now we've learned that the acclaimed British chef and television personality Jamie Oliver has a "massive, mammoth" vegetarian cookbook in the works!

Former President Bill Clinton continues to champion the health benefits of his mostly plant-based diet. In recent interviews with the Huffington Post and Yahoo! News, Mr. Clinton confirmed he is following a nearly vegan diet and today he explained to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, not to mention CNN's hundreds of thousands of viewers, that 25 years of evidence shows that a healthy plant-based diet can help reverse heart disease.
 


Clinton cites the work of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventative Medicine Research Institute and Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of the The China Study, the most comprehensive human health study ever done. Considering the power and influence that President Clinton has and the wide audience he can reach with his message, this is must see T.V. 

On September 19, dozens of Mercy For Animals staff, interns, and volunteers braved the heat to march in the 2010 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in Dallas, Texas. One of the biggest and most exuberant gay pride celebrations in the southern half of the country, this event drew about 35,000 people. MFA supporters proudly marched behind a banner declaring "No one is free when others are oppressed" while waving flags, blowing colorful whistles, sporting MFA logo tees, and tossing Mardi Gras-style bead necklaces to the enthusiastic crowd.

From NBA superstar John Salley, to first baseman Prince Fielder, there are many prominent world-class, cruelty-free athletes showing us that we don't have to support animal cruelty to stay in great shape.

Being vegan has never held me back from pursuing and reaching the fitness goals I've set for myself. Just like any runner, I'm always conscious of eating the right recovery foods, drinking plenty of fluids and eating enough protein.

It seems that the first concern of any athlete transitioning to a vegan diet is where to get their protein. I often exceed the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of protein through consuming easy and affordable vegan protein sources, such as beans, nuts, tofu, soymilk and delicious mock meats. All other nutrients can be found just as easily, by eating a balanced and healthy vegan diet.

It's a great feeling to know that I don't have to sacrifice my passion - running - to help animals. I strive to be an example that fitness and veganism are not mutually exclusive. Athletes can most certainly thrive on a sustainable, plant-based diet.

MFA recently caught up with John Talbot, founder and owner of Boston Baked Bonz, to get the scoop on how his unique bakery and gift shop for dogs got its start. In the process, we learned more about his beloved dogs - the multiple and adorable inspirations behind the company - and John's personal dedication to reducing the suffering of farmed animals through his business venture and his own activism.

In the spring of 2007, with the support of his life partner, Dorr, John's longstanding desire to create Boston Baked Bonz finally came to fruition as he set practicing law aside, dug out his recipe cards, picked up a rolling pin, and started baking. This cruelty-free, online specialty store caters to companion canines and their humans (i.e., their guardian caregivers), who have discerning taste. This heavenly doggie smorgasbord is all vegan, organic, healthy and environmentally conscious. None of this is surprising, given the strong, compassionate ethics of both John and Dorr. Their doggie goodies are hand-crafted, smartly packaged and adored by barkers and their enthusiasts nationwide. There's no better way to pamper a lucky pooch!

But it's not only tasty treats for sale - Boston Baked Bonz carries accessories for canines and Homo sapiens (that's you and me) alike. As if this weren't enough, to top off their excellence, John is offering MFA readers 20% off everything at the online store. Hurry over and buy that special friend of yours something tasty. Oh, and don't forget to enter promotional code "MFASAVE563" during checkout to get your discount!

What inspired Boston Baked Bonz?

It was an idea 20 years ago to create a company that sold extremely high-quality gifts for dogs. Just like the multiple ways to send flowers to people, we knew there was a business opportunity sending gifts to dogs. As avid dog lovers and proud parents to brother and sister dogs, Daphne and Sebastian, we knew firsthand that gifts for these critical members of the family were important. We knew others felt the same way and we could build a business around tapping into this market: people want a way to show both dogs and people how much they appreciate the roles they play in their lives. It wasn't until 2007 that the opportunity to sit down and actually form the company came up. We knew it was going to be organic and vegan and use local artists and all domestically made/supplied goods. It was a fundamental part of "doing business right" and making as small a footprint on the planet as we could. We are a business with a conscience and we think there is more to being a business than just sending goodness to dogs. We strive to be a responsible member of the community and support charitable organizations as often as we can. We're 100% vegan and the founders of Boston Baked Bonz donated $1M to Farm Sanctuary to support their critical work of increasing compassion in the world.

What are your best selling items?

People go with what they know - peanut butter. So, our Peanut Butter Crunchies are #1. However, a cookie without peanut butter - our Gingerbread Snaps - are #2! For gift boxes, our Happy Birthday Cake Gift Box and Welcome New Puppy Gift Box tie for #1. Our Holiday Triple-Cookie Gift Box is a close second. (It is a gift box for any time of the year, not just around the traditional December holidays.)

Tell us about how your connections with animals first began.

I've been blessed to always have had a dog in my life since I was kid. There was a short time after college when I couldn't have a pet, but that didn't last long, and I've been a part of a dog-enabled family ever since. Since I was about 20 years old, I just felt an increasing awareness of the natural world around me and the toll humans were taking on it. Becoming vegetarian and then vegan - slowly, unfortunately - became a part of that awareness.

What was your first introduction to how animals are treated in food production?

As a young kid, my brother took me to a slaughterhouse in our little town in southern Illinois to see a cow killed and then the butchering start. An image is planted in my head that will not leave: a cow hanging upside down with her throat cut, gushing blood. At the time, I just took this as part of life. As I became more and more aware of the complete lack of need for animal-based food as an adult, I also started to read and learn about how animals in food production lived their lives (horribly). In 2001, I was interested in pursuing environmental and animal rights law for my legal career and attended a FARM Animal Rights Conference in D.C. I learned more in that weekend than I had in my life up to that point and was turned from being vegetarian into vegan as a result. My biggest realization at the time was that I could not pay someone to do these horrible and unnecessary things to animals and each time I purchased an animal food item at the store, I was supporting the most horrible businesses in the world. I wasn't going to let my money support the animal food industry.

Your adorable pooches are prominently featured in your advertising and emails from the company. Are your companion dogs vegan?Tell us about them!

We have three great dogs: Violet, Daisy and Sunflower - the Flower Power Sisters of Boston Baked Bonz. They are vegan and have been since we rescued them as puppies and they transitioned to adult food. They are V-Dog girls and our vet tells us they are the healthiest dogs she sees. Her comment to us every time is that whatever we are doing is working for the dogs. They are healthy and happy. The picture of our friend Annie holding Daisy features prominently in all of our advertising and on our website. It was taken the day Daisy joined our family and met her big sister Violet and her two new (human) aunts. It just captures the absolute sweetness and joy shared by people and the animals they love.

Does your organic mission relate to your vegan ethics?

Yes, definitely. Non-organic agriculture is destroying the environment for all kinds of animals (both in and out of the food supply). Just like we don't want to be a part of paying companies to raise animals in a life of sheer terror and torture, we don't want to pay companies to needlessly destroy our environment with massive use of chemicals.

How do people respond when they first find out your products are vegan?

I think the dog FOOD companies have a much harder time than we do. If people have a problem with vegan treats for dogs, we can remind them that these are just TREATS. We try to include useful links on our website to materials about how vegan dogs are 100% possible and eat a lot healthier than the crap (literally) that goes into regular dog food. We also focus on the positives: 100% organic, whole grains, inspired recipes - and dogs just love to eat the stuff!

What do you think is the best action that our readers can take to help farmed animals?

The power of the dollar is incredible. Our country is built on capitalism. Our government exerts massive power through its ability to tax and spend. People can do the same thing: don't spend money on products that support torturing animals! Make compassionate food choices!

Why do you believe animal advocacy is so important?

I was drawn to a legal career (and attended Northeastern Law School, the best Public Interest Law School in the country) out of a sense of making sure those without a voice could be heard. Animals can't effectively speak for themselves, so animal advocacy is necessary to get their plight into the consciousness of the public. Ultimately, how we treat the world around us reflects on who we are. And, for most people, they don't want to be part of an industry that is horrific in just about every way. Without animal advocacy, people might actually think cows in California live carefree days on hilly green pastures, or that the family-owned farms are cozy places where people care for their animals.

Research shows that when people are confronted with the horrors of modern animal agriculture, they are compelled to take action. With the release of CAFO: The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories, a coffee-table version of The CAFO Reader, animal advocates now have a powerful new tool to open people's eyes to the plights of farmed animals.

Gardein, the makers of a wholesome range of tasty vegan mock meats, is offering fans a chance to win an incredible dinner prepared by Chef Tal Ronnen, one of the most celebrated vegan chefs working today.

In the wake of Chelsea Clinton's vegan-friendly wedding, former U.S. President Bill Clinton claims that he is experimenting with a mostly vegan diet.

Yeah, pretty much. Once in a while I'll eat fish but not often, because I'm trying to be one of those experimenters. Since 1986, several hundred people who have tried essentially a plant-based diet, not ingesting any cholesterol from any source have seen their bodies start to heal themselves and break up the arterial blockage, break up the calcium deposits around the heart. 82% of the people who have done this have had that result so I want to see if I can be one of them. I've got to do it a few more months before we'll have any idea if it worked. 

Jonathan Safran Foer, the critically acclaimed author of Eating Animals, discusses the ethics of eating animals and our responsibility to think more deeply about our food choices in this incredibly compelling video interview at BigThink.com. In his usual well-spoken and reasonable manner, Foer argues that global meat consumption robs poor people of food and that animal agriculture is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems around the world.

Recent research shows that MFA's groundbreaking investigations and hard-hitting advocacy campaigns may be having a dramatic impact on American meat consumption through increased media exposure of animal welfare issues. According to a September 16 report by livestock economists Glynn Tonsor of Kansas State University and Nicole Olynk of Purdue University, consumer demand for all types of meat is reduced significantly when media attention is given to animal welfare issues - regardless of the production practices involved. Not only does media exposure of modern animal agriculture make consumers lose their appetite for all types of meat, consumer demand for meat remains lower than expected for as long as six months after the media report.

To understand the impact of the publicity generated by undercover cruelty investigations at factory farms and slaughterhouses, ballot initiatives designed to prohibit particular practices (i.e. gestation crates, battery cages and veal crates), and other animal welfare issues, the economists looked at how consumer demand for beef, pork and poultry has correlated with the media attention given to farmed animal welfare issues in the last 10 years. According to their findings, pork demand would have been 2.65% higher and poultry demand would have been 5.01% greater without the media attention - translating into millions of lives spared.

While beef consumption does not seem to correlate with animal welfare publicity in the long term, the researchers noted that overall meat consumption was negatively impacted early in 2008 after the release of a cruelty investigation at Hallmark slaughterhouse in Chino, California. The report also indicates that consumer purchases are reallocated to non-meat items after media exposure of animal welfare issues.

Sir Paul McCartney famously said, "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian." Tonsor and Olynk seem to echo this sentiment in their report by concluding, "As a whole, media attention to animal welfare has significant, negative effects on U.S. meat demand."

Interested in cutting back on meat after watching MFA's undercover investigations? Here are some helpful tips to get you started on a path toward a healthy and compassionate vegan lifestyle.

On October 9th, Mercy For Animals and over 2,000 people from around the country will gather for the 2nd annual Chicago Vegan Mania to celebrate the city's vegan culture, commerce, community and cuisine.

Attendees will have the chance to listen to speakers, including Mercy For Animals' Executive Director, Nathan Runkle, The Humane Society of the United States' Dr. Michael Greger, world-famous vegan chef, Isa Chandra-Moskowitz, and feminist-vegan author, Carol J. Adams. Vegan Mania will also spotlight cutting-edge non-profit organizations, live music, workshops, fashion, art and much more to celebrate conscious living.

Once the Vegan Mania extravaganza comes to a close, keep the celebration rolling by joining Mercy For Animals at the official after-party. All proceeds from the event will benefit MFA's lifesaving work to protect farmed animals.

Enjoy the company of like-minded, compassionate people and dance the night away to the musical styling of DJ DAAN. The event's all-vegan spread will include appetizers and sweets from some of Chicago's hottest eateries!

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Time: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Location: Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 W. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the door

And if that weren't enough, guests will enjoy a fabulous silent auction, including a gift basket from Vegan Mania speaker, Dr. Greger, and a raffle featuring a gift card from The Ethical Man and local handmade jewelry. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary drink. Event limited to guests 21 and older.

Get your tickets now - before this exclusive event sells out! Go to VeganManiaParty.com for more details.

In an editorial for Project Syndicate, titled "If Fish Could Scream," Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation, lays bare the immense suffering and pain inflicted each year by commercial fishing. Citing studies that have found the nervous systems of fish to be similar to those of birds and mammals, and behavior suggestive of pain, when fish undergo experiences that would cause other animals pain, Singer argues that if we cannot learn how to capture and kill wild fish humanely, we must find alternatives to eating them.

Singer discusses the absence of humane slaughter requirements for fish, and the consequent abuse of fish, including dumping fish caught in trawler nets on board ships to slowly suffocate, and the use of "gill nets" - fine nets in which fish become snared by the gills - leading to suffocation due to gill constriction, or hours entangled in the nets before they are pulled in.

Singer also cites a report released last month on fishcount.org.uk that reveals the staggering number of fish killed for food each year - at least one trillion, with calculations suggesting the figure could be as high as 2.7 trillion. This figure, Singer notes, does not even factor in fish accidentally caught and discarded or bait fish, impaled on hooks to catch target species.

Click here to read more.

On Sunday night, Lady GaGa turned heads, and stomachs, at the MTV Video Music Awards by donning a dress made entirely of real meat.

(A)s someone who has dedicated over half my life to advocating on behalf of animal rights, as well as gay rights, my heart sank Sunday night when you revealed "the meat dress." Although you explained that your intention was "not to offend vegetarians or vegans," the unintended consequence of this "fashion statement" was the promotion, and glamorization, of cruelty and violence toward animals.

As a style icon, your attire has entertained and inspired countless fans. And, in such a position, I hope you would agree that fashion should be fun and creative, not fatal and cruel. 

Sadly, "the meat dress" crossed the line of being shocking, and entered the realm of simply being sickening. You see, meat is more than simply a "meal" or a "fabric," it's the rotting remains of a "someone."

Eleven years ago, I founded Mercy For Animals, an organization that works to give a voice to farmed animals - perhaps the most abused and exploited creatures on the planet. Since then, MFA has worked diligently to expose the cruel plight faced by these nameless "someones" - the billions of cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys unfortunate enough to be doomed to a life of suffering, simply to end up on the dinner table - or, in this case, your closet.

Risking their safety, our investigators have gone undercover into the nation's factory farms, hatcheries, livestock auctions and slaughterhouses - uncovering the daily nightmare these sensitive, thinking and feeling animals endure before being processed and packaged as meat.  

Each time our investigators step foot into the factories where our nation's meat is produced, they find egregious and rampant abuse of animals. For example, the vast majority of today's breeding pigs spend their short, miserable lives locked inside metal stalls so small they cannot even turn around or lie down comfortably. In such factory farm conditions, these animals, whose intelligence surpasses that of dogs, are denied the simple ability to breathe fresh air, feel the sun on their backs, touch the grass, walk, run, play, bond with their loved ones or have even the most basic control over their lives.

It is clear that you are a caring and compassionate human being who believes that our society can and should work against injustices. The manner in which farmed animals are raised, killed and exploited is one of our society's darkest shames.

As perhaps the world's most famous pop culture icon, you hold enormous power - and with it responsibility. I urge you to widen your circle of compassion, concern and empathy to include all animals - including farmed animals - by rejecting the cruel meat industry. Like other oppressed individuals, who are often marginalized and exploited, these animals deserve our respect and consideration.

I hope you will consider shedding "the meat dress" and turning over a new leaf, not only by ditching meat from your closet, but also your refrigerator. I've enclosed a copy of our Vegetarian Starter Kit, packed full of quick and easy tips and recipes, which can aid in making the transition toward a healthy and compassionate plant-based diet.

Simply by adopting a vegetarian diet, you can spare the lives of thousands of animals - and by encouraging others to join you, untold millions of animals could be spared the harsh and unrelenting cruelty of our nation's factory farms and slaughterhouses.

Featuring a host of inspiring speakers, informative cooking demonstrations, delicious vegan food samples, and dozens of exhibitors, including Mercy For Animals, the D.C. VegFest on Saturday had something for everyone to enjoy!

Co-hosted by the Vegetarian Society of D.C. and Compassion Over Killing the D.C. Vegfest brought thousands of vegans, vegetarians and veg-curious omnivores to the nation's Capitol to celebrate the huge diversity animal-friendly cuisine and the many benefits of a plant-based diet.

Complemented by the delectable sweets available at the Vegan Treats booth next door, the MFA table drew crowds of people looking to learn more about our groundbreaking investigations into factory farms and slaughterhouses and tips on how to transition to a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle.

Interested in putting vegetarianism on display in your area? Most community festivals, college campuses, Earth Day events, gay pride festivals, art and county fairs, and musical concerts allow representatives of non-profit organizations to set up educational exhibits. Here are some easy tips to get started.

In a recent article for Forbes magazine, Peter Singer, author of the seminal book on animal rights, Animal Liberation, reflects on the state of animal welfare in the world from the perspective of someone living in the year 2020.

Identifying 2008 as "the tipping point for animal welfare," when Californians voted overwhelmingly to pass Proposition 2, banning the cruel confinement of farmed animals in crates and cages so cramped they could barely move, Singer takes us on a journey from 2008 to his vision for 2020, a year by which no farmed animals suffer cruel confinement, Humane USA surpasses the NRA in political clout, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ended research on great apes.

Click here to read more

In response to the recent nationwide recall of over a half-billion eggs, the Philadelphia Daily News reported on the myriad egg substitutes available for use in baking. The article features interviews with bakers, dessert chefs and the founder of Allison's Gourmet, Allison Rivers Samson. The strategy of these "egg-free pioneers" is to look at a recipe and ask themselves whether the eggs are adding flavor or texture, or functioning as a binder or leavener, and then set about finding other ingredients that will have the same effect.

Last week, Mercy For Animals made national headlines by releasing hidden camera footage of calves on an Ohio veal factory farm chained by their necks in narrow stalls where they couldn't even turn around.

Bob Barker, Emmy Award-winning host of The Price is Right, lent his support to the case, not only by narrating the investigation video and writing letters to two major grocery chains asking them to end their sale of veal, but by also joining MFA's Executive Director, Nathan Runkle, at a news conference in Los Angeles. In total, MFA held five news conferences, each generating massive mainstream exposure to the sad plight of calves raised for veal.

Here is a quick roundup of some of that coverage:

Print

Costco speaks out on veal supplier's tactics - Associated Press

How Was Your Veal "Prepared"? Like This Video? - News Blaze

Activists urge halt to veal sales - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Costco bans treatment of veal calves that industry calls typical - The Seattle Times

Is Costco's Veal Zeal the Real Deal? - Sun Break

New undercover video of calf confinement moves Bob Barker to call for veal and dairy boycott - The Examiner

Graphic animal rights video prompts quick response from Costco - Sky Valley Chronicle

Costco apologizes for veal supplier's actions - New Mexico Business Weekly

Animal group wants all veal farms banned - The Wooster Daily Record

Animal rights group condemns veal industry - Dayton Daily News

Costco speaks out on veal supplier's tactics - Huffington Post

Costco apologizes for veal supplier's actions - Puget Sound Business Journal

Group: Video shows veal cruelty at Wayne farm - The Wooster Daily Record

Costco: We insist on ethical treatment of all animals - The Seattle Times

'Price is Right' Host Barker Tells Costco Their Veal is Wrong - Lalist.com

Television

Costco Veal Leads To Protests By Animal Rights Group - King5.com

Costco Veal Leads To Protests By Animal Rights Group - KiroTV.com

New video alleges animal cruelty at veal farm - ABC KABC

Group Says Ohio Farm's Treatment of Calves is Cruel - FOX 8

Cleveland: Animal rights group claims cruelty to veal calves - Wkyc

Activists Ask Costco to Stop Selling Veal, Alleging Cruelty at Farms - NBC LA

Undercover video alleges veal abuse at Ohio farm - ABC WEWS

Activists Say State Board Not Doing Enough To Protect Animals - NBC 4

Costco Responds to Animal Cruelty Charge - NBC LA

Undercover Video Shows Calves At Ohio Veal Farm - NBC 4

Jill Hartman is an impressive human being. For three months, Jill rolled up her sleeves and jumped into action as one of Mercy For Animals precious interns - playing a vital role in various campaigns and projects. At the end of Jill's internship, she wrote this about her adventures:

"I started this internship only knowing that I cared about animals. I knew that Mercy For Animals focused on helping farmed animals, but being born and raised a city girl I had no idea what I was really getting into, or what the animal agriculture industry was really like.

I began my internship in Ohio collecting signatures to help abolish some of the cruelest factory farming practices in the country. This was the first time I was faced with the harsh reality of the exploitation and torture that farmed animals across the United States experience every day, along with the disconnect that people have between such cruelty and what they eat. It was inspiring to be working alongside so many passionate, dedicated and like-minded animal advocates, and it's an amazing feeling to know that I played a role in the groundbreaking settlement that was reached in Ohio.

After the signature-collecting campaign in Ohio, I helped to organize and participate in various outreach events, such as feed-ins, leafleting, tabling at festivals, setting up library displays, distributing our Compassionate Living magazine throughout the city, and most recently, an egg-recall demonstration.

Through MFA's public outreach I've engaged in thoughtful conversations with people from all walks of life and have found that grassroots activism is an incredibly rewarding experience -- by inspiring other people to adopt a plant-based diet, I have helped spare thousand of animals a lifetime of unnecessary suffering. What is more rewarding than that?

Animal protection has also made its way into my everyday life and conversation. My boyfriend's household has initiated Meatless Mondays, friends ask me about going vegetarian, and even my father can't help but love the delicious vegan food Chicago has to offer. And it all started with my internship here at MFA.

Although my internship is over, my work to protect animals is just getting started. This semester I'm starting an animal advocacy group at my university, where I'll continue to be a voice for farmed animals by educating my fellow students about what they can do to adopt a compassionate, vegan diet."

You, too, can gain valuable experience, and help countless animals, by interning with MFA in Columbus, Chicago, Dallas, or New York City. Click here learn more about MFA's internship program and to apply today.

In homage to MFA's new Dallas office, we're proud to unveil our limited edition tee! Designed by Herbivore's Josh Hooten, this super soft, super hip American Apparel 50/50 shirt features an iconic bull with the phrase "Steer Clear of Cruelty." Below, the words "Choose Veg" are branded, with a lone star separating the words. The right sleeve bears the MFA logo.

In the land of beef, beef and more beef, we're bettin' this'll really turn heads! The shirts are selling fast for a mere $20. Click here to wrangle yours today.

Dallas vegan athlete, Jamey Scott, has already made quite a mark in Texas. The co-founder and editor of DallasVegan.com and sole organizer for the upcoming Texas State Veggie Fair, Jamey has been a leading force behind the Dallas veg-scene since 2008. But that's only the beginning for this lone ranger! Because in addition to his multiple tasks at DallasVegan.com--not to mention his regular day gig as a computer analyst--Jamey is in the midst of training for the Chicago Marathon on October 10th to raise money for MFA. We talked to Jamey to get the scoop.

On Tuesday, hundreds of New York Yankees fans were treated to So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk ice cream sandwiches and tips on cruelty-free vegan living.

Fowl Play, Mercy For Animals' eye-opening film about the egg industry, has been named the 2010 Best Agricultural Documentary by the New York International Film Festival. MFA will accept the award in Los Angeles in November prior to the screening of the documentary there. Stay tuned for dates and ticket information for the screening in LA.

Connecting the dots between consumer demand for meat, dairy and eggs and the perpetuation of animal abuse, Fowl Play leaves viewers with a groundbreaking message of personal responsibility and the potential each of us holds to change the world - one meal at a time.

"Two thumbs up!! Wow! Wow & Wow! A must see documentary! Big congratulations to Mercy For Animals for making this compelling documentary and getting the word out," says Anoo Cottoor, Executive Artistic Director, New York International Film Festival.

You can help get the word out about this award-winning documentary by adding it to your Netflix queue! If you are not a Netflix subscriber, you can sign up for a FREE trial period here. Although Netflix has added Fowl Play to its list of movies, it will only become available for rental and instant viewing if enough members add it to their queues. So tell all of your friends, family and coworkers to queue Fowl Play and Netflix and help make this powerful, life-changing documentary available to millions of Netflix subscribers today!

Melanie Joy, Ph.D, Ed.M, is a social psychologist and author of the book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, which explores the ideology behind eating meat and why some animals are considered loving companions, while others are considered food. Dr. Joy is a professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and has studied the psychology of speciesism for a number of years. Mercy For Animals was lucky enough to have a chance to speak with Dr. Joy about her book, and here is what she had to say:

In Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows , you use the term "carnism" in your discussion of why our society thinks cows, pigs and chickens make for good eating, while rats, puppies and parrots make us queasy. Can you explain what you mean by "carnism"?

Carnism is the name I use for the invisible belief system, or ideology, that teaches us, from the moment we're weaned, not to feel disgusted when it comes to eating the animals our culture has classified as "edible." Carnism is essentially the opposite of veganism or vegetarianism.* Accordingly, I use the term "carnist" to describe those who eat animals.

Often, we refer to carnists as "omnivores," "carnivores," or "meat eaters." But these labels are inaccurate and likely detrimental to animal rights; they reinforce the assumptions that eating animals is natural and normal, two of the most entrenched and compelling myths used to justify carnism.

The terms "omnivore" and "carnivore" describe one's physiological disposition, rather than one's ideological choice: an omnivore is an animal, human or nonhuman, which can ingest both plant and animal matter and a carnivore is an animal that needs to ingest flesh in order to survive. And the phrase "meat eater" focuses on the behavior of eating meat, as though one is acting outside of a belief system when she or he consumes animals. (Consider how we don't call veg*ns "plant eaters.")

In short, when eating animals isn't a necessity, it's a choice - and choices always stem from beliefs. The invisibility of carnism, however, makes eating animals appear instead to be a given, as though it's only veg*ns who bring our beliefs to the dinner table.

In Why We Love Dogs..., you describe the defense mechanisms that carnists use to remain comfortable with eating animals. Can you tell us more about these defense mechanisms?

Most people care about animals and don't want them to suffer. And yet most people eat animals. Carnism must block people's awareness of this discrepancy between their values and practices, and it does this by using a set of defense mechanisms that operate on both social and psychological levels.

The primary defense of the system is invisibility and the primary way the system stays invisible is by remaining unnamed: if we don't see it, we can't talk about it, and if we can't talk about it, we can't question or challenge it. Another defense mechanism is justification; in my book I describe what I call the Three Ns of Justification: eating animals is normal, natural, and necessary. Not surprisingly, these same arguments have been used to support many other violent ideologies. The Three Ns lose much of their power when they are exposed as defensive arguments rather than the absolute truths carnistic culture presents them as.

What were your reasons for writing Why We Love Dogs...?

I wrote Why We Love Dogs... for both carnists and veg*ns. I wrote the book for carnists to help them understand not simply why they shouldn't eat animals, but why they do eat animals, and to help them feel invited into the conversation, rather than preached at. I wrote the book for veg*ns to help them feel more grounded in, and better able to articulate, their choices; to understand the carnists in their lives so they could communicate more effectively; and to understand the system they're working to transform.

What kind of research did you do in preparation for writing Why We Love Dogs...?

Why We Love Dogs... is based on my doctoral research on the psychology of eating meat, for which I interviewed meat cutters, butchers, vegans, vegetarians, and carnists. I also spent a number of years after receiving my Ph.D researching systems of oppression and strategic social change.

If such elaborate defense mechanisms are needed for people to remain comfortable with eating other animals, why don't more people just become vegetarian?

When we understand the depth and breadth of carnism, we can appreciate that asking someone to stop eating animals is not simply asking for a change of behavior, but for a shift of consciousness. This kind of shift will not occur until a person feels psychologically safe enough to step outside of the carnistic system and look at the world through a very different set of eyes.

Why do you think it is important for the animal rights movement to incorporate the concept of carnism into its vegan advocacy?

I think it's vital that the animal rights movement make carnism a central focus of its advocacy for several key reasons.

First, since outreach to carnists is fundamental to vegan advocacy, we have got to understand the people we're trying to reach. So often, for instance, we assume the facts will sell the ideology ("If only you knew the truth about meat, egg, and dairy production, you'd never eat animal products again."), and we fail to appreciate that there is a complex psychology that enables carnists to dismiss such facts.

Moreover, carnism has a specific structure and if we don't understand that structure we're at great disadvantage; we're fighting blindfolded against an unseen entity. Indeed, the goal of the vegan movement is not simply the abolition of the production of animal products, but the transformation of carnism - the system that makes such production possible in the first place.

Finally, by understanding eating animals as not simply a matter of personal ethics, but as the inevitable end result of a deeply entrenched belief system, we will radically change the way we think and talk about the issue.

*I use veg*n to refer to both vegetarians and vegans.

MFA would like to wish a Happy 100th Birthday to the late, inspirational Donald Watson! Watson, a vegetarian for 80 years and vegan for 60 years of his long life, co-founded The Vegan Society with Elsie Shrigley in 1944. He coined the word "vegan" and supplied its first definition, which The Vegan Society has adapted to the following:

"A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude -- as far as is possible and practical -- all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment."

Considered by many to be the founder of the modern vegan movement, Watson will continue to be a highly inspirational figure for vegans everywhere. To start your own journey toward vegan living, visit ChooseVeg.com.

A new graphic featured on AnimalVisuals.org titled, "Battery Cages Increase Salmonella Risk and Harm Chickens," illustrates how industry-standard conditions for hens increase the likelihood of salmonella infection, according to the United States Department of Agriculture and other animal and health advocacy agencies in the U.S. and Europe.

According to the visual, factors contributing to higher rates of salmonella in caged versus cage-free egg production include stress, greater flock size, rodents and flies, the difficulty of disinfecting complex cage structures and the hens' lack of natural defenses against the bacteria.

The AnimalVisuals.org graphic also reveals that salmonella tops the list of "Top Causes of Food Poisoning-Related Death" and eggs top the list of "Top Salmonella Outbreak Vehicles."

Click here to read more.

The Dalai Lama is speaking out for the millions of egg-laying hens condemned to lives of misery inside tiny, wire battery cages and is urging consumers to switch to cage-free eggs. 

Costco Wholesale announced yesterday that it would no longer buy veal from farms that use a crate-and-chain production method. The announcement came on the heels of MFA's release to the public of investigative findings at a Buckeye Veal farm in Ohio. An MFA undercover investigator obtained footage of months-old calves chained by their necks in crates so narrow the animals were unable to turn around, walk, lie down comfortably or engage in other basic natural behaviors.