The Issues

Factory Farming

Approximately 98% of the meat, dairy, and eggs that Americans eat today come from factory farms in which animals are intensely confined. A typical battery cage in which egg-laying hens are raised are so small that each hen has less than the size of 1 sheet of paper to live on her entire life. Pigs, cows, and calves are in cages so small they cannot even turn around. Because these systems aim to produce as much meat, dairy, and eggs as possible, animal welfare is rarely of any concern to those in the industry. Not including fish, over 10 billion animals are killed for food every year in the U.S. alone. You can reduce this number by eating less meat, going vegetarian, or vegan. Thankfully, it's now easier than ever to find cruelty-free, plant-based foods in supermarkets, fast-food franchises, restaurants, and even sports stadiums.

Check out these videos to learn more about factory farming: Meet Your Meat and Egg Suppliers Exposed

For free, animal-friendly recipes, visit any of the following websites: Veg Web, the Post Punk Kitchen, or Compassion Over Killing.

Puppy/Kitty Mills

Cats and dogs that are sold in pet stores often come from puppy/kitty mills. These mills are large scale breeding facilities in which the animals are often crammed into small cages without much (if any) veterinary care or contact. Many of these dogs are bred for their entire lives. Because of their intense confinement they often develop health and social problems. Not only are these facilities harmful to the animals that are raised in them, they're also harmful to animals looking for a home. According to the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 3-4 million dogs are killed in shelters every year. The best way to reduce this number is by adopting, and not buying from a store. Every adopted animal means 1 less animal killed in a shelter, and less profit for puppy mills. It's also important to spay/neuter your companion animal to reduce overpopulation, which leads to homelessness and the euthanization of shelter animals.

If you live in the Middle Tennessee area, Beesley's provides low-cost spay/neuter services. Support a local shelter by donating your time or money at the Humane Alliance of Rutherford County (link), PAWS (link), or Almost Home Rescue( link).

Get an undercover look at puppy mills here.

Oprah also did a great episode on puppy mills, click to watch.

To learn more, visit HSUS's Stop Puppy Mills campaign and the ASPCA