Animals Used for Food: Factory Farming, Vegetarianism, and Veganism
Over nine billion animals are killed for food in the US every year. Most of these are confined in factory farms and are inhumanely crowded and fed a diet laced with hormones and antibiotics before they are slaughtered. This page will explore the issues surrounding factory farming, "humane" farming, vegetarianism and veganism.
Factory Farming FAQ
Although factory farming involves many cruel practices, it is not just those practices that are objectionable. The very use of animals and animal products for food is antithetical to animal rights.
Although factory farming involves many cruel practices, it is not just those practices that are objectionable. The very use of animals and animal products for food is antithetical to animal rights.
What is the Solution to Factory Farming?
The cruelty of factory farming is well-documented, but what is the solution? Can't we continue eating meat and other animal products and just treat the animals humanely?
The cruelty of factory farming is well-documented, but what is the solution? Can't we continue eating meat and other animal products and just treat the animals humanely?
Arguments For and Against “Humane Meat”
Most people would probably agree that factory farms are cruel, but is certified humane meat the answer? Animal activists argue both sides.
Most people would probably agree that factory farms are cruel, but is certified humane meat the answer? Animal activists argue both sides.
What is Veganism?
Veganism is the abstention from all animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, wool, fur, silk, suede and leather.
Veganism is the abstention from all animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, wool, fur, silk, suede and leather.
Milk and the Veal Connection
Few people understand how their purchase of milk is connected to the veal industry, when in fact, veal is a by-product of the dairy industry.
Few people understand how their purchase of milk is connected to the veal industry, when in fact, veal is a by-product of the dairy industry.
What is Veganic Farming?
Veganic farming is quite different from mainstream organic farming.
Veganic farming is quite different from mainstream organic farming.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
What is a CAFO? The US Environmental Protection Agency has a very specific definition.
What is a CAFO? The US Environmental Protection Agency has a very specific definition.
What’s Wrong with Grass-Fed Beef?
Although the production of feedlot beef is widely recognized as environmentally irresponsible, few people realize how destructive grass-fed beef is.
Although the production of feedlot beef is widely recognized as environmentally irresponsible, few people realize how destructive grass-fed beef is.
What’s Wrong with Eating Fish?
The reasons for not eating fish range from animal rights concerns about harming sentient beings to the effects of overfishing on the environment. Is fish farming the answer to overfishing? From an animal rights standpoint, no. From an environmental perspective, the answer is still no.
The reasons for not eating fish range from animal rights concerns about harming sentient beings to the effects of overfishing on the environment. Is fish farming the answer to overfishing? From an animal rights standpoint, no. From an environmental perspective, the answer is still no.
What’s Wrong With Cage-Free Eggs?
Horrible images of hens crowded in battery cages sometimes inspire people to reach for the “cage free” carton of eggs at the supermarket. But “cage free” does not mean “cruelty-free.”
Horrible images of hens crowded in battery cages sometimes inspire people to reach for the “cage free” carton of eggs at the supermarket. But “cage free” does not mean “cruelty-free.”
Milk Facts - What's Wrong with Milk?
Objections to milk include animal rights concerns, environmental issues and human health risks.
Objections to milk include animal rights concerns, environmental issues and human health risks.
What’s Wrong with Livestock Grazing on Public Lands?
The Bureau of Land Management manages 256 million acres of public lands in the United States, and allows livestock grazing on 160 million acres of that land. Environmental, taxpayer and wildlife advocates object to the grazing of livestock on public lands for different reasons.
The Bureau of Land Management manages 256 million acres of public lands in the United States, and allows livestock grazing on 160 million acres of that land. Environmental, taxpayer and wildlife advocates object to the grazing of livestock on public lands for different reasons.
What's Wrong with Fish Farms?
While some believe that fish farming is the solution to overfishing, they do not take into account the environmental destruction and the inherent inefficiency of animal agriculture.
While some believe that fish farming is the solution to overfishing, they do not take into account the environmental destruction and the inherent inefficiency of animal agriculture.
Milk and Human Health
Cow's milk is not necessary for human health and numerous studies link dairy consumption with various health risks.
Cow's milk is not necessary for human health and numerous studies link dairy consumption with various health risks.
How Eating Pork Affects the Swine Flu Outbreak
You probably won’t get swine flu from eating pork, but you will help spread the disease and increase the chances of another epidemic.
You probably won’t get swine flu from eating pork, but you will help spread the disease and increase the chances of another epidemic.
What Are Feedlot Beef, Organic Beef and Grass-Fed Beef?
What are the Differences Between Grass Fed Beef, Organic Beef and Feedlot Beef? How do they compare environmentally?
What are the Differences Between Grass Fed Beef, Organic Beef and Feedlot Beef? How do they compare environmentally?
Veggie Pride Parade 2009 Photos
Photos from the NYC Veggie Pride Parade, May 17, 2009
Photos from the NYC Veggie Pride Parade, May 17, 2009
What is "Happy Meat"?
Animal activists sometimes use the term “happy meat” in a derogatory way to describe meat that is marketed as having come from humanely raised animals.
Animal activists sometimes use the term “happy meat” in a derogatory way to describe meat that is marketed as having come from humanely raised animals.
Arguments For and Against Horse Slaughter
While animal advocates argue against horse slaughter, some horse breeders and owners say that horse slaughter is a necessary evil. Issues include overbreeding, horse racing, and financial factors.
While animal advocates argue against horse slaughter, some horse breeders and owners say that horse slaughter is a necessary evil. Issues include overbreeding, horse racing, and financial factors.
Why are Horses Sold for Slaughter?
Why are horses sold for slaughter? Unlike farms with cows, pigs and chickens, no one in the US seems to be breeding horses specifically for slaughter, so where do the horses come from?
Why are horses sold for slaughter? Unlike farms with cows, pigs and chickens, no one in the US seems to be breeding horses specifically for slaughter, so where do the horses come from?
Why are farmed animals given antibiotics and hormones such as rBGH?
Factory farms cannot afford to care about animals collectively or individually. The animals are merely a product, and antibiotics and growth hormones such as rBGH are employed to make the operation more profitable.
Factory farms cannot afford to care about animals collectively or individually. The animals are merely a product, and antibiotics and growth hormones such as rBGH are employed to make the operation more profitable.
Interview with Vegan Cookbook Author, Sharon Valencik
Exclusive interview with Sharon Valencik, vegan cookbook author silenced by the dairy industry. In November, 2009, Sharon Valencik was invited to appear on a television show, but the invitation was revoked when one of the advertisers – the dairy industry – objected.
Exclusive interview with Sharon Valencik, vegan cookbook author silenced by the dairy industry. In November, 2009, Sharon Valencik was invited to appear on a television show, but the invitation was revoked when one of the advertisers – the dairy industry – objected.
Rescued Animals at Farm Sanctuary
Photos of rescued animals at Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY, USA
Photos of rescued animals at Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY, USA
Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) - Profile
Profile, background and history of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM)
Profile, background and history of Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM)
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is a shelter for rescued animals, as well as an advocacy organization. The organization operates shelters in New York and California.
Farm Sanctuary is a shelter for rescued animals, as well as an advocacy organization. The organization operates shelters in New York and California.
United Poultry Concerns
UPC advocates veganism and the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
UPC advocates veganism and the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
Vegetarian Summerfest
An annual vegetarian conference organized by the North American Vegetarian Society. All meals served during the 5-day event are vegan.
An annual vegetarian conference organized by the North American Vegetarian Society. All meals served during the 5-day event are vegan.
Peaceful Prarie Sanctuary
Peaceful Prarie is a sanctuary in Colorado for rescued farmed animals, and advocates veganism.
Peaceful Prarie is a sanctuary in Colorado for rescued farmed animals, and advocates veganism.
The Great American Meatout
Organized by the Farm Animal Rights Movement and based on the Great American Smokeout, the Great American Meatout takes place on the first day of spring, March 20, every year.
Organized by the Farm Animal Rights Movement and based on the Great American Smokeout, the Great American Meatout takes place on the first day of spring, March 20, every year.
Vegan Action
Vegan Action raises public awareness of the benefits of a vegan diet.
Vegan Action raises public awareness of the benefits of a vegan diet.