Transport Terror Launches!

FREE Living

passionate Com CThe Mag of MFA. LSUMMER 2016 TRANSPORT TERROR CANADA’S DECADES-OLD TRANSPORT REGULATIONS TORTURE ANIMALS

DEFENDING THE DEFENSELESS

MFA INVESTIGATIONS SPUR JUSTICE AND REFORM THE GOOD + FOOD INSTITUTE JOAQUIN PHOENIX LAUNCHES! LIGHTS, CAMERA, COMPASSION! HEN HELL UNITED EGG PRODUCERS RUBBER STAMPS CRUELTY In this issue of CL, we introduce you to MFA’s newly launched sister DEAR FRIENDS, organization, The Good Food Institute. This groundbreaking initiative is focused on supporting innovation in In the 1920s something remarkable the food sector by helping accelerate swept the country and freed countless alternatives to animal-based meat, overworked and mistreated horses dairy, and eggs. You’ll learn about from long days of pulling carriages: the GFI’s work to transform our broken introduction of the automobile to the food system through game changing mass marketplace. plant-based and cultured foods, such as “clean meat” grown from cells and Today, nearly 100 years since the plant-based eggs. Safer, healthier, more automobile forever changed how we affordable—and completely cruelty- travel, using horse and carriage seems free—these revolutionary products aim antiquated, inefficient, slow, and to outcompete animal products in the inhumane. marketplace. In 1991, something happened that While this work propels our food system completely transformed information forward, MFA’s undercover investigations travel: the launch of the Internet. The and campaigns ensure that cruel factory world-transforming impact of the Internet farming practices become a thing of the is hard to overstate. Today, we have past. In this issue, you’ll also read about nearly endless opportunities to receive our work to bring an end to horrific information; share photos, videos, and battery cages and long-distance animal stories; and connect with people around transport. the globe through a mere tap on a smartphone screen. Working together, we can be sure that the day will quickly come when Speaking to the power and spirit of all of society looks back at our current innovation, Albert Einstein said, “You treatment of farmed animals with horror can’t solve a problem on the same level and disgust—a day when battery cages that it was created. You have to rise and other tools of torture from factory above it to the next level.” farms exist only in history museums. Perhaps there is no greater problem By focusing on building a future in which facing our planet today than meat the humane choice is also the affordable, consumption. Animal cruelty, healthy, and convenient one, I know we environmental destruction, and a can get there. poisoned food supply—just a few ills of modern meat production—make clear Sincerely, that the meat industry is not only cruel, but also inefficient and outdated. In other words, it’s in need of disruption through innovation. Nathan Runkle President And we are committed to driving that innovation. @nathanrunkle

o the rest of the world, Joaquin MFA investigative video that At MFA’s 2015 Hidden Heroes Gala, Phoenix has many credits to brought widespread attention to the Joaquin joined Moby to present the This name: award-winning despicable conditions mother pigs Hidden Hero Award to former MFA actor, producer, musician, and artist. endure on Walmart pork supplier undercover investigator Elizabeth But to animals, Joaquin is simply a farms. His corresponding petition Pachaud. hero. amassed hundreds of thousands of signatures. Within months, Walmart Joaquin’s star power, coupled Vegan since childhood, Joaquin announced an unprecedented with his dedication and passion is an outspoken animal advocate commitment to improving farmed for protecting animals, is an and devoted MFA supporter. In animal welfare across its global unstoppable force. 2014, he narrated a compelling supply chain.

2 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 FAO: OUT OF THE ‘SHADOW’ EAST MEETS P. 58 P. 46 WEST IN BRAZIL MEAT WINS BATTLE, 03.16 meatingplace.com P. 41 NOT WAR

NON-MEATPLANT-BASED MEAT SUBSTITUTES ARE EVOLVING, GRATA LURING INVESTORS According to a recent National Academy of Sciences study, if every human switched to a compassionate plant-based diet, food-related greenhouse gas emissions would plummet by 70 percent, billions of dollars would be saved in healthcare costs, and 5.1 million fewer people would die per year by 2050. The meat industry’s own trade publication, Meatingplace magazine, ran a cover feature on the popularity of plant-based meat. The article asks whether meat processors should continue competing with the meat alternatives industry—or join it!

With offerings like the guac

You know who follows MFA on takes burger and dairy-free mac Facebook? Revenant star and and cheese, it’s no surprise that powerhouse environmental activist off customers are flocking to New Leonardo DiCaprio does! The York City fast-casual restaurant Academy Award-winning actor by CHLOE. The popular all- tweeted a video MFA shared to his 15.3 million followers, opening vegan eatery is set to open new their eyes to the clear connection locations in New York, Boston, between animal agriculture and climate and Los Angeles. change. 3 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Krista Hiddema Krista Hiddema—it’s a name that surely strikes fear in the hearts of Canada’s animal abusers. As managing director for MFA in Canada, Krista has thrust the issue of factory farming into the spotlight and propelled corporate and governmental animal welfare policies that are transforming the country for farmed animals. Just like her favorite activist, Elphaba from Wicked, Krista listens to “Defying Gravity” for that extra drive to fight harder for animals.

Words to Live By:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Aristotle

Q: What part of your work with MFA inspires you most?

I am inspired by how rapidly we are changing the entire landscape for farmed animals in Canada. We have worked with some of the largest corporations in the country to develop animal welfare policies that will reduce the suffering of millions of animals each year. Also, we are the only animal protection organization conducting undercover MFA Position: Managing Director, Canada investigations in the country, and we have completed Hometown: Kingston, Ontario nine in four short years. As a direct result, we have Email: [email protected] virtually banned both veal crates and gestation crates and brought animal abusers to justice through historic cruelty convictions. We have also worked with major investigative news shows to awaken consumers countrywide to the reality of where their food comes from.

MEMBERS ON A MISSION Q: What excites you most about the future of MFA in Canada? Kristen Rocca I am so excited about the work we are doing to free hens Toronto-based MFA volunteer Kristen Rocca from battery cages. So far in 2016, we have worked with all amplifies the voice of animals in Canada by of the major restaurants and grocers in the country to help arranging MFA speaking engagements and them commit to sourcing only 100 percent cage-free eggs. performing vital research. We are now focused on ensuring that the Canadian codes of practice for farmed animals essentially ban cruel cages for birds countrywide. The sky is the limit after that! Q: Mark Meunier When you are not saving animals, where can we find you? Whether distributing leaflets at area concerts and universities or working MFA Paid-Per- Hanging out with Esther the Wonder Pig and all her View tables at local festivals, Louisiana’s Mark sanctuary friends! Meunier is fiercely dedicated to spreading a message of compassion. Q: Why are MFA’s donors heroes to animals?

Well, simply put, we couldn’t do what we do without them. Every dollar we receive is fundamental to our work. So every Richard Wheeler MFA donor is an animal hero in my eyes. Richard Wheeler believes helping farmed animals was a natural step from his military Q: What tips would you share with fellow activists? career. A devoted volunteer, he stays true to his Marine Corps motto Semper Fi (Always Faithful) Never underestimate how powerful you are! Every when leafleting or tabling for MFA. conversation you have, every petition you sign, and every share on social media is speaking up for animals. Even one Become a hero for animals too. act a day can help change the world. MercyForAnimals.org/fundraise

4 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Thanks to viral videos by Blanka Alfaro Pola, MFA’s Latin American communications coordinator, the people of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, called for the veto of a bill that would have stripped thousands of animals from protections. The governor heard their calls and veto the bill he did!

You wouldn’t stay in a relationship with someone who made you sick or had a history of abuse. So why stick with meat? MFA’s humorous and thoughtful New new video series, Break Up With Meat, poses this question and presents the myriad reasons to kick meat to the curb.

Learn how to break up with meat! BreakUpWithMeat.com

“You’ve got this!” That’s the front-and- center message of MFA’s newly revamped vegetarian starter guides. Brimming with mouthwatering recipes, nutritional tips, celebrity testimony, and meal plans, these Soon MFA fellows at elite schools Cambridge and Oxford will bring magazine-style guides are downloadable Meatless Monday and worldview- online and distributed in print in the United altering debates, literature, and film States, Mexico, and Brazil. screenings to their schoolmates. Since the MFA fellowship program began in 2014, our fellows have reached more Order your free Vegetarian Starter Guide: than 62,000 students at some of the ChooseVeg.com/vsg country’s top universities with our message of compassion.

5 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Visit AnyaTodd.com to learn more about Anya Todd and living a compassionate, healthy lifestyle!

Visit ChooseVeg.com for news, videos, vegan recipes, and more!

First, what is gluten? Gluten is a protein Is it possible to be found in wheat, rye, and barley. For most people, it will not cause any problems. gluten-free and vegan? However, individuals diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, react Anya Todd is a registered, licensed dietitian to gluten in ways that lead to nutritional specializing in vegan nutrition. If Anya ever had deficiencies and damage of the small to go gluten-free, her love of rice, beans, and It is indeed possible, but it may intestine. Clearly, a gluten-free diet is a sweet taters would get her through. She resides not be necessary. For some necessity for these individuals. Gluten in Cleveland, Ohio, which is becoming more veg- friendly by the day. reason, the vegan diet is often sensitivity can also be an issue and the lumped in with the gluten-free protein could negatively affect people diet. Many new clients have with irritable bowel syndrome. While a zinc, calcium, and vitamins D and B12. told me they want to become diagnostic test exists for celiac disease, Fortunately, obtaining these nutrients via a vegan but don’t think they determining gluten sensitivity (like any gluten-free vegan diet is possible. Lentils can be gluten-free. You can food sensitivity) involves eliminating gluten and greens are just two of the iron-rich imagine their relief when I tell for a period and reintroducing it to assess gluten-free choices while chickpeas and symptoms. them they can still eat gluten pumpkin seeds are good sources of zinc. Calcium and vitamin D can be found in and be vegan. That said, there By making informed dietary are legitimate reasons to cut kale and fortified gluten-free nondairy decisions, you can rest milks. Lastly, B12 can be found in gluten- gluten. assured that your overall free supplements and fortified products. health will not suffer as a Regardless of whether you have celiac compassionate, gluten-free disease, if you find yourself newly gluten- vegan. free and vegan, it can be beneficial to meet with a savvy dietitian to discuss your Luckily, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, diet. seeds, and grains like rice are naturally gluten-free. It can be a bit tricky to Like vegan products on the market, eliminate gluten when you are dealing gluten-free products have grown in with processed foods, especially many availability. This all makes it easier as a of the faux meats. Thankfully, food consumer. That said, I will always advocate manufacturers have become more attuned for whole foods over the processed to labeling gluten-free products as such, counterparts. which makes shopping easier. Yet it is still important to read the labels. Did you know certain brands of soy sauce contain gluten? What could be worse than thinking you are a great friend for cooking a delicious tofu stir-fry only to accidentally sabotage your gluten-free buddy’s intestines with a dash of soy sauce?

If you are newly diagnosed with celiac disease, it is likely you have not been absorbing nutrients well, especially iron,

6 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Very Red Tomato & Beet Soup

Amazing Chocolate Mousse

2 large fresh beets, peeled and Salt 1 14-ounce package 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder chopped Freshly ground black pepper extra-firm tofu 1 9-ounce bag vegan Sharon’s Amazing Chocolate 1 22-ounce can or jar tomato sauce Tofu sour cream 1 14-ounce package firm tofu chocolate chips Mousse, page 266 2–3 cups water, depending on Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons coconut oil desired consistency Serves 4–6 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave Vegan whipped cream 10 ounces canned coconut milk 3 tablespoons vanilla extract Serves 15–20 2 tablespoons unsweetened Place beets and tomato sauce in large soup pot. Add water. Bring to boil cocoa powder over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook about 30 minutes, until beets are soft. Place tofu and salt in bowl of food processor. Process until smooth. Add Place soup in bowl of food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer soup maple syrup, coconut milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and cacao powder. back into pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reheat if necessary. Ladle Blend until smooth. soup into bowls. In double boiler, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil. Garnish with tofu sour cream. Add mixture to food processor and blend.

Transfer mixture to large bowl, using a spatula. Using a hand mixer, whip mixture at high speed 3–5 minutes.

Spoon into serving cups or shallow crystal champagne

glasses. Refrigerate 1–2 hours,DESSERTS��267 until cold. Garnish with dollop of vegan whipped cream. Reprinted from Simple Recipes of Joy by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2014, Sharon Gannon.

OUR FAVE FOOD PICKS 9781583335598_RecipesJoy_TX_p21-324.indd 267 7/8/14 1:39 PM

Serious chocolate fans Gardein has put vegan Miyoko’s Creamery only: Endangered pepperoni and mozz’rella has churned up vegan Species, famous for pizza in a pocket! Find it European-style butter that chocolate bars, has in the freezer section and will melt, bake, or brown blended hazelnuts and microwave in minutes. in any favorite recipe. fair-trade cocoa into a delicious spread!

7 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 DRIVING THE FUTURE OF FOOD Imagine a world in which food is nutritious, humane, and sustainable, and everyone has enough to eat.

In this world, our rivers, plant-based and “clean” (i.e., cultured) “Just as modern lakes, and oceans would meat, milk, and eggs that surpass their automobiles replaced be pure and fish once on conventional counterparts in taste, the verge of extinction convenience, and affordability without the the horse and would thrive. Scientists use of live animals. would marvel over our buggy, conventional unprecedented good health. In this world, cows would Cruel, Crumbling System animal agriculture know the joy of lying in grass will be replaced by on a summer day. Piglets GFI recognizes that our current food would be nurtured by their system is broken. It takes 660 gallons of plant-based and mothers, and chickens would water to produce one hamburger. Our spread their wings and walk oceans are undergoing depletion at cultured alternatives.” freely. unforeseen rates. There are 795 million people without enough to eat and the Animal agriculture would be a mere blight majority of grains grown are fed to on the pages of history. farmed animals. On factory farms, animals endure repulsive conditions in which This sustainable, compassionate world cruelty is rampant and antibiotic overuse is within our reach now more than ever. breeds antibiotic-resistant superbugs that Remarkable new technology, coupled endanger public health. with the boundless imagination and passion of all of you, has made it Additionally, livestock production is a possible. larger contributor to global warming than all modes of transportation combined. With your unwavering support, MFA has launched a sister organization, The With the human population Good Food Institute, with the mission of expected to reach more than 9 reinventing our food production system and creating a healthy, sustainable, and billion by 2050, scientists have humane food supply. warned that a major global shift from animal agriculture is Led by Executive Director Bruce Friedrich, necessary to avert devastating the GFI team works with scientists, —Russell Simmons, investors, and entrepreneurs to develop climate change. hip-hop mogul A B C D E F

A The world’s first clean meatball— D Plant-based egg whites produced made from cow cells without animal through a brewing process by slaughter—debuted by Memphis Clara Foods. NO ANIMALS Meats. E Artisanal nut cheese by award- B Synthetic gelatin that is safe and winning Miyoko’s Kitchen. sustainable pioneered by Gelzen. F Vegan chicken produced from peas HARMED by startup Sunfed Foods. C Plant-based cheese made with cow From clean meat to animal-free gelatin, these products are cheese culturing process by Lyrical ushering in a more compassionate world for animals. Foods.

Meeting the Demand for How Clean Meat Meat—Without Animals! Incredible work is already underway in IS GROWN the world of plant-based and clean meat alternatives.

Synthetic biologists are growing real meat without the inefficiencies of cycling “At the core, there is nothing about crops through animals—or the cruelty of what goes into our mouths that is raising and killing animals. To produce inherent to an animal,” said GFI’s clean meat, biologists take animal cells Bruce Friedrich. “Meat is simply a A few animal cells are placed into a and place them in a nutrient mixture that combination of amino acids, fats, nutrient mixture. helps them develop into pure muscle carbohydrates, and water, with a tissue. certain flavor and texture.”

In 2013, the world’s first clean burger, made up of tens of billions of cells grown New Generation of Pioneers naturally through culturing, debuted Sugar helps the cells multiply and in London. Taste testers praised the A shift toward plant-based and clean develop into pure muscle in a burger for authentic mouthfeel and meat alternatives is easy to imagine. bioreactor (think beer fermentation declared it “definitely meat.” Mark Post, We’ve seen such major cultural shifts in a brewery). a researcher at Maastricht University in before. Just as automobiles replaced the the Netherlands, created the burger, and horse and buggy as a mode of modern Google co-founder Sergey Brin funded transportation, these alternatives will the project. replace animal agriculture.

Like clean meat, plant-based meat And GFI is accelerating the transition. alternatives are created with the goal Meat from the bioreactor is turned Food system reform will be driven by of replicating the taste and texture of into hamburgers, chicken patties, fish entrepreneurs, food scientists, and conventional animal products. Food sticks, hot dogs—you name it! scientists examine animal products at synthetic biologists. Accordingly, GFI the molecular level, source plants with focuses on growing the pipeline of new similar proteins, and then reassemble the innovators through outreach at elite plant proteins in the structure of animal business and science schools. proteins. GFI’s network connects students, along One company excelling at this process with food scientists, culinary experts, and entrepreneurs, with opportunities Whether fried, grilled, or baked, is Beyond Meat. By extracting proteins clean meat is indistinguishable from peas or soy and realigning them, to apply their skills in the academic, nonprofit, and growing plant-based and in taste and texture from its the company has developed products conventional counterpart. It is free, that many people cannot distinguish from clean meat start-up sectors to forge a better food system. however, of antibiotics, growth chicken and beef. hormones, and salmonella.

10 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 The GFI team also has its own ideas for NCC helps businesses reach a stage at new companies and products and shares which larger venture capital firms will them with students and professors at top invest, diverting millions of dollars from universities who will very soon make these animal agriculture toward companies concepts a reality. aiming to transform it. The result is a much more vibrant marketplace for plant- Additionally, GFI reaches out to scientific based and clean meat products. foundations, governmental bodies, and top industry players to encourage them to The startups currently funded by NCC dedicate more of their resources to plant- have made a substantial impact in based and clean meat product research the marketplace. Miyoko’s Kitchen in order to address the critical issues of and Beyond Meat, for example, are We need more options for sustainability and climate change. already distributing popular plant-based producing meat without depleting products, and Memphis Meats has our resources. Some exciting Through its talented team of expert revealed the first meatball made from real new companies are taking on advisors and a growing staff, GFI also beef without animal slaughter. this challenge. They are creating provides regulatory, marketing, legal, plant-based alternatives to and other support to start-up companies Gelzen, another company funded chicken, ground beef, even that share its commitment to driving the by NCC, is producing real gelatin eggs, that are produced more meat, egg, and dairy industries away from by sequencing gelatin proteins and sustainably—and taste great.” animals. multiplying them in yeast—the same method used today to produce rennet, BILL GATES With decades of experience in financial which used to come from calves’ founder of Microsoft and venture capital management and stomachs. nonprofit leadership, the GFI team is already sparking massive change. Meanwhile, NCC’s investments in The Purple Carrot and Lighter offer technological platforms that encourage Investing in a Mighty and facilitate the consumption of more Mission plant-based meals.

Companies dealing in plant-based and clean meat alternatives often require Forging the Future of Food funding in the early stages. By disrupting the current food system and In conjunction with GFI, MFA founded building a sustainable new infrastructure “Sometimes a new technology comes venture capital fund New Crop Capital to to take its place, GFI is ensuring that along and it has the capability to support companies that either develop healthy, humane, and environmentally transform how we view our world.” plant-based and clean meat alternatives friendly products will be the new norm, or provide services that make plant-based not the alternative. eating easier. SERGEY BRIN With you on our side, we are confident co-founder of Google and funder that the future of food is the one we of the first clean meat burger envision.

EAT WELL

Chile lime noodles with crumbled tofu from plant- based meal kit company The Purple Carrot.

Visit ThePurpleCarrot.com to learn more.

VISIT WWW.GFI.ORG TO SIGN UP FOR UPDATES FROM THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE. HEN HELL PROGRESS Following MFA’s investigation at Shady Brae Farms, Wakefern, a retailer-owned cooperative operating ShopRite, Price Rite, and Fresh Grocery supermarkets, joined a string of major companies of birds suffered in filthy wire cages, pledging to sell only cage-free eggs. barely able to move without crawling over other birds. Some hens were mangled in Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons wire or under feed troughs. have all made similar commitments to hens, and more than 100 other “When I saw a trapped retailers, restaurants, foodservice companies, and food manufacturers bird—often with her head have pledged to go cage-free in just stuck between cage wires—I the past year. would do whatever I could When Robert, a brave MFA investigator, to free her,” explained Yet Publix still refuses to ditch entered Shady Brae Farms in Robert. “These birds suffer cruel cages. MFA, along with more Pennsylvania, he knew what he would tremendously, often unable to than 100,000 caring consumers, see would cause him sleepless nights. He is pressuring Publix to join its reach food or water.” knew the scenes would haunt him long competitors in adopting a 100 after his undercover camera stopped percent cage-free policy for its more rolling. But he also knew he had to tell Birds with swollen eyes, bleeding than 1,100 stores. these birds’ stories. If he didn’t, who prolapses, extreme feather loss, and would? other serious afflictions were denied SIGN THE PETITION: proper veterinary care and left to suffer PUBLIX.HENHELL.COM “Nothing could have prepared me for and die. “I held a dying bird in my hands witnessing firsthand the misery these hens as she took her last breath,” recalled endure,” said Robert, looking back on his Robert. “It’s heartbreaking to know there’s time at the facility. nothing I can do for these chickens. But I hope my footage will inspire others to The European Union and the states of stand up for them.” California and Michigan have banned “The first thing I noticed battery cages because of their inherent when I walked into one After reviewing the footage, veterinarian cruelty. Other states are considering of the buildings was the Dr. Lee Schrader described the hens’ lives similar bans. overwhelming stench of as “wretched.” In a statement to MFA excrement. I saw chickens she observes: “Numerous sick, injured, Because passionate people like you signed petitions, called your elected struggling to move freely, and and dead birds remain in and under the cages containing the live birds, leading to officials, and knocked on doors to rally others with open wounds and contamination and infection of both the support, a cage-free future for hens is in festering sores. You can sense eggs and the other birds.” sight. the fear in these animals.” UEP should listen to consumers and lead Shady Brae Farms is certified by United “Battery cage the egg industry’s transition to cage-free Egg Producers, an industry trade confinement of facilities. association that represents the majority of egg farms in the U.S. UEP claims laying hens is Join MFA in urging UEP to require all its certification represents a farm’s nothing short of of its members to go cage-free to help commitment to providing the best alleviate the suffering of millions of hens. possible care for hens. But the hidden- torture,” wrote Dr. camera footage Robert captured shows Schrader. anything but. “The most essential instincts of the birds In a natural setting, chickens enjoy are frustrated by the intense confinement, exploring, perching, nesting, and which does not even allow the birds to foraging. At Shady Brae Farms, thousands spread their wings.”

13 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 The abuse is unthinkable and concealed inside large windowless facilities.

The perpetrators far too often never set foot inside a courtroom.

The nameless victims have few laws or policies to protect them.

That is, until the abuse is exposed by an MFA investigation.

JUSTICE SERVED, PROGRESS SPARKED

Even powerful farms can be held accountable for animal abuse. The 20 animal cruelty charges filed earlier this year against Canada’s largest dairy farm attest to that. The owners of Chilliwack Cattle Sales and seven workers each face fines of$75,000 , two years’ imprisonment, and a lifelong ban on keeping animals.

These landmark charges stem from a 2014 MFA investigation that exposed some of the most unconscionable animal abuse ever recorded. Workers mercilessly beat and kicked cows and used chains and tractors to hoist the animals into the air. They poked and squeezed festering wounds and punched bulls in the testicles to inflict pain.

MFA INVESTIGATIONS SPUR JUSTICE AND REFORM

14 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 MFA disclosed the hidden-camera MAINTAINING MOMENTUM footage to the British Columbia SPCA. Soon thereafter authorities with the Vulnerable baby calves at a Délimax veal organization raided the facility. factory farm in Pont-Rouge, Quebec, already chained by the neck and locked As a result of MFA’s investigation, the inside narrow crates, were also subjected provincial government took a small but to beatings at the hands of a farm symbolic step: recommending basic employee. welfare requirements for Canada’s dairy cows, including proper veterinary care A court found Éric Dame had violated the and an end to painful mutilations. Quebec Animal Health Protection Act in committing those acts and sentenced him to pay a $4,000 fine. Footage from MFA’s investigation into the veal factory farm prompted the Ontario and Quebec veal associations to phase out inherently cruel veal crates. Major Canadian retailers also responded by banning the sale of crated veal in stores.

PANTS ON FIRE BY THE At an American Humane Certified Foster Farms chicken slaughterhouse NUMBERS in Fresno, California, Gabriel Cevallos ripped out fistfuls of feathers from live birds and tossed the animals around like basketballs. MFA investigators documented other workers carelessly throwing baby chicks onto the ground, 31 MILLION punching chickens, and violently farmed animals per year benefited slamming birds into shackles. by MFA-championed legislation Immediately following the investigation, MFA’s legal team filed a complaint and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office took action An MFA undercover investigation at 19 STATES in pursuit of justice. For those tormented near Roswell, New in which ag-gag bills have been Winchester Dairy chickens, justice came in the form of Mexico, documented workers using defeated animal cruelty charges against Cevallos. tractors to drag cows who were too weak to walk, beating the animals, maliciously Meanwhile, Foster Farms and American with screwdrivers, and stabbing them Humane Association became the subjects them in the with shocking genitals of multiple false advertising complaints electric prods. filed by MFA with the Federal Trade Commission and the California Attorney 75 PROSECUTIONS The Chaves County District Attorney’s General’s Office. The complaints assert for animal cruelty as a result of brought charges against three Office that Foster Farms abuses animals and MFA investigations of these workers, all of whom were both Foster Farms and AHA lie to of multiple counts of animal convicted consumers about it. cruelty.

OUR SUPPORTERS, 24,466 DAYS THEIR HEROES convicted animal abusers sentenced to imprisonment or Thank you for helping MFA bring probation thanks to MFA’s efforts desperately needed reform to the innocent and accountability to the guilty. Together we are creating a future in which protections for farmed animals 6 RAIDS are no longer abysmal if not absent and by law enforcement following farmers are no longer able to torture MFA investigations animals with impunity.

15 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 THERE’S MUCH MORE TO PIGS, CHICKENS, AND COWS THAN MEETS THE EYE.

16 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Earlier this year in Queens, a bull named feel empathy and possess the intelligence Freddie recognized a rare window of to draw upon prior experiences to make opportunity and took it. While being decisions. moved from a transport trailer to a pen full of fearful bulls awaiting slaughter, he Like cows, chickens form hierarchical made a mad dash for freedom. social groups, which encourages stability and safety. They learn socially and His escape inspired national news stories, can even pass down knowledge from and a video of his journey through the generation to generation. bustling streets of Queens soon went viral. Concerned people across the Renowned researcher Christine Nicol country urged for his life to be spared. credits chickens with the ability to Thanks to a New Jersey animal shelter, it understand basic arithmetic and exercise was. self-control—all within days of hatching! Freddie’s story makes it clear: Animals possess great PUPPYISH PIGS intelligence and fierce emotion, A few years ago, viral Facebook posts and their lives are precious. introduced the world to Esther, a 650-pound pig living with a family in Ontario. Esther gladly sits for treats and “Farm animals are COMPLEX COWS enjoys snuggling with her human and far more aware and canine family members. Cows are herd animals who seek intelligent than we ever protection and companionship from Esther’s bright personality is imagined.” others. Studies show that cows have best —Dr. Jane Goodall friends and are more relaxed when their typical for pigs. When free to world-renowned primatologist besties are nearby. do so, pigs make friends. Curious animals, they will spend days “While chickens display feelings When ailing, cows seek out medicinal exploring new surroundings. comparable to those of humans herbs, such as thistle and nettles. (such as grief, fear or happiness), According to Cambridge University Just like dogs, pigs easily learn they no doubt also possess researchers, cows apply their their names and even wag their their own exceptional forms understanding of cause and effect to of emotion and consciousness learn to open gates and even experience tails. that even the most rigorous “eureka” moments of pleasure in their scientific tests may not begin to own learning. Despite misconceptions, pigs are also uncover—simply because these very clean. They take mud baths to cool inimitable perspectives of chickens The bond between a mother cow and her down on hot summer days. Pigs are even do not register conceptually or calf is unbreakable. On farms, calves are readily housebroken. It’s hard to imagine experientially within the human often taken from their mothers just hours such clean animals enduring filthy factory domain.” after birth. A mournful mother will bellow farm conditions. —Annie Potts and endlessly stare at the spot where she associate professor at the last saw her calf. University of Canterbury

“Pigs know their names, BRAINY BIRDS and again like dogs, they According to The Scientific American, wag their tails when chickens exhibit “communication skills happy.” on par with those of some primates” and “can solve complex problems.” They also —Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson author of The Pig Who Sang to the Moon EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEW

What a Fish KNOWS Exclusive Interview Animal behavior expert and author Dr. Jonathan Balcombe is changing the With Jonathan way people view animals. Balcombe In his latest book, What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins, Dr. Balcombe turns his attention to one of the most exploited animals on Earth. With groundbreaking studies and remarkable stories, the book shatters common misconceptions about these diverse and complex creatures.

18 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 This scuba diver has been visiting the same fish, an Asian sheephead wrasse, for the past 25 years.

MFA caught up with Dr. Balcombe to A brave porcupinefish stays with his trapped learn more about friend even as a the book and hear diver approaches to set the fish some fascinating free. fish stories.

How has the general perception of learned to interpret our movements, Misconceptions about a fish’s animal sentience and intelligence sounds, smells, and postures, and we capacity to feel pain abound. shifted since you started your theirs. Compare that with how very few What’s the most effective way to research in this field? folks nowadays have actually met a help others understand? chicken, a pig, or a cow. Sadly, the closest It is an exciting time to be an ethologist. most people get to one of these beings is There are many scientific studies that When I was a graduate student in the late on the opposite end of a fork. demonstrate fish feel pain. For example, 1980s, scientific interest in how animals zebrafishes are willing to pay a cost think and feel was just starting to gain In your previous books, you to get pain relief. When a painkiller momentum. Today, the study of animals’ explore the behavior of a broad was dissolved in a barren, unpreferred experiences is widespread. And last range of animal species. What chamber of their tank, fishes injected December, my colleagues and I launched inspired the focus of your new with a dose of painful acetic acid chose Animal Sentience, the world’s first journal book? to swim there, but fishes injected with a of animal feeling. benign solution stayed in the preferred The impetus was twofold. First, fishes are section of the tank. Why do you think it’s easier for incredibly diverse and their lives rich and people to understand the capacity colorful. Fishes can do things that’ll make If readers took away just one idea of a dog or cat to feel than a your jaw drop. What a Fish Knows takes from your book, what would you farmed animal? some of the best and makes it accessible like it to be? to general audiences. Familiarity. Through prolonged Fishes deserve our concern and respect cohabitation, dogs and cats know our Second, fishes are the most abused as much as any other animal. ways and we know theirs. They have vertebrates on the planet. We kill them by the trillion. Lined up end to end, a year’s What is the future for the field of catch would stretch to the sun and back. ethology? The oceans are in trouble and we must change. I hope that the field moves toward studying animals in ways that respect Why is the plight of the farmed their individuality and their capacity to fish so often ignored when billions enjoy life. are killed every year? What’s your favorite story of fish Once again, we’re conveniently removed emotion, intelligence, or morality? from it. Ever been to a fish farm? It’s hard to relate to an animal you never There are so many! A professional from met. Gradually, the ills of aquaculture— Florida developed a game of chase with overcrowding; rampant parasite Jasper, her blue discus fish. After a bout infestations; ocean contamination with of play, she would cup her hands just concentrated wastes, pesticides, and below the waterline, and Jasper would drugs; and genetic disruptions of wild turn on his side and swim into the cup populations by escapees—are coming and just lie there while she stroked his to light. side.

19 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 TRANSPORT TERROR

CANADA’S DECADES-OLD TRANSPORT REGULATIONS TORTURE ANIMALS

In Canada, millions of animals a year are packed into poorly ventilated trucks and driven from farms to slaughterhouses without food, water, or relief from extreme MFA investigator: temperatures. In the blistering “What’s the most deads you’ve ever seen come in one day?” Canadian summers, temperatures Transport worker: inside these trucks soar to well “I’VE SEEN 31 ON ONE above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. TRUCK. IN THE WINTER … 40 BELOW OR CLOSE TO IT, AND Cows and pigs try relentlessly to … THEY JUST FROZE. WE maneuver toward air holes, often HAD TO USE BARS TO GET ’EM OFF THE DECK.” Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals slipping and falling on the waste- covered floors. Some die from Conservative Canadian government issued nothing but empty promises dehydration. to update the country’s shamefully lax and now 30-year-old animal transport Many animals freeze to death on the regulations. trucks during Canada’s bitterly cold winters. Others slowly suffocate from But hope springs anew. In November the high levels of ammonia. Every year of 2015, federal power changed hands. more than 8 million farmed animals arrive Newly elected Liberal agricultural minister at slaughterhouses dead or so sick or Lawrence MacAuley has a chance to make injured they are deemed unfit for human good on broken promises. consumption. CANADIANS WANT NEW GOVERNMENT BETTER RENEWS HOPE Nearly all Canadians—97 percent—say it One pen stroke from Canada’s is important for animals to be transported agricultural minister is all it would take in a humane manner that addresses their to relieve millions of animals from this basic needs. excruciating suffering. Parliamentary debates, legislative deals, and votes are Canadians agree that at a minimum, unnecessary. animals should be protected from weather extremes and should not be Nevertheless, for eight years the former transported for longer than eight hours

20 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Jo-Anne McArthur / The Ghosts in Our Machine

without food, water, and rest. They also transport regulations, which are currently agree that companies that violate these the worst in the Western world. basic standards should be severely penalized. MFA is pushing for regulations requiring that all animals be protected from The poll gauging these opinions came extreme weather and provided with food, in the wake of MFA’s investigation at water, and rest if they are transported Western Hog Exchange in Alberta. At more than eight hours. Such regulations this hog assembly yard, brave MFA must also specify loading densities that CANADIANS investigators found terrified animals who will prevent overcrowding and afford had been transported in sweltering heat. animals space to lie down. They suffered from extreme heat stress and dehydration. These are common-sense standards CARE implemented by the European Union 12 Workers used electric prods to repeatedly years ago. shock pigs who were in too much pain to walk. Sick and injured pigs were kicked, MFA is also calling for strict enforcement 97% of Canadians believe mercilessly beaten, dragged, and left of the updated regulations with a system farmed animals should be to suffer without veterinary care. An of proportionate and deterrent penalties transported in a safe and humane investigator also observed workers using for violators. bolt cutters to break through the sensitive manner. tusks of male pigs without painkillers. Help MFA protect Canada’s farmed animals from heinous abuse and neglect. Put the heat on Minister of Agriculture An aghast Canadian public rose to action. Lawrence MacAulay to update the 95% of Canadians believe Through Change.org, more than 100,000 country’s archaic regulations. that even if it costs more, it’s concerned citizens directly petitioned the important to ensure farmed government to modernize and strengthen SIGN AND SHARE OUR PETITION: animals are treated humanely. enforcement of the country’s animal TRANSPORT.MERCYFORANIMALS.ORG

90% of Canadians support new transport regulations to improve protections for farmed animals.

87% of Canadians support stronger penalties for livestock companies that violate animal transport regulations. Small Heroes

SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS ATTICUS BRADFORD, BELLA FREDRITZ, BEN FISHER, LIAM PREM, AND SAMIKSHA PRASANA WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR WORTHINGTON, OHIO, COMMUNITY.

They thought hard about which important State University. The team even took issue to spotlight. They all loved animals, the project to the state-level Destination and a few of them cared for dogs at Imagination contest. home. The dog meat trade in Asia was certainly something they all hoped to see “I was really excited to make a difference end. But more conversations led the kids in the community,” Samiksha said. “I was to realize that eating a chicken, fish, cow, especially excited when we chose to save or pig wasn’t any different than eating a animals from factory farming.” dog. “Animals have feelings just like us. They can feel scared and can feel pain. How we treat them says a lot about us,” Atticus observed. “It is important for us to teach others to love and protect all animals.”

Liam said, “I tell people to imagine that they are one of the animals being raised for food and dying in horrible ways.”

“It’s sad,” he added.

So the group chose to raise awareness Children are curious, and Atticus believes animals now, because as Bella shared, “If in their community about the benefits kids “have a right to know where their they begin to help animals now, they will of eating vegetarian. The kids held a food comes from and that it’s not from a keep on helping as they get older.” food-tasting event at the McConnell happy pig on a happy farm.” Heart Health Center in Columbus, Ohio, There are plenty of opportunities out and working with MFA, passed out more Atticus, Bella, Ben, Liam, and Samiksha there for youth activists. than 700 pro-vegan leaflets at Ohio think kids everywhere should start helping

22 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2016 Youth Empowered Action (YEA) Camp school districts from Los Angeles to encourages and connects ambitious Philadelphia have embraced Meatless teenagers who care about animals and Monday as a result. social justice. For a week in the summer, Compassion the kids improve their activist skills, There are also many ways kids can ON CAMERA gain confidence, and make like-minded get involved with MFA. They can friends. hand out pro-vegan leaflets, gather Meatless Monday pledges, organize COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS “I THINK KIDS CAN HELP BECAUSE film screenings, share MFA social media ABOUNDS IN CUTE VIRAL VIDEOS posts, and raise funds through MFA’s WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 700 fundraising pages. LEAFLETS ON ONE SATURDAY AT OSU, AND I AM SURE WE RAISED Samiksha hopes kids do get involved AWARENESS!” and take to heart the words of renowned activist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt –BEN FISHER that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; Other teens lobby their school cafeterias indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” to serve more vegetarian meals. Major

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR Q: How do kids react when they Ruby Roth learn about animal suffering on Have you hugged a chicken today? factory farms? This chicken approaches a sweet Ruby Roth is the author of three boy’s outstretched arms and gives A: Kids are never defensive; they popular books that teach children the boy the most adorable hug. never try to justify the abuse. They about protecting animals. This take in the information, stop to year when Ruby released her first think, and start asking very insightful cookbook, it was no surprise that it questions about the status quo. It was written for kids. Ruby gave us a makes perfect sense to them that we sneak peek, and this book is sure to would change our habits in order to get kids cooking vegan in the kitchen! be good to animals and the planet.

Q: Tell us what The Help Yourself Q: How are kids already changing Cookbook for Kids is about. the world? Help Yourself invites all the little A: Children have a very powerful herbivores who have grown up on A: influence on the family unit—all my books—and now their friends corporate marketing departments too—into the kitchen, where they can know this already. The vegan animal further put their love for animals and This brave three-year-old was not about to let rights movement needs to do better the planet into practical action. Many his family slaughter his best friend. He cries to include kids for this very reason. I veg families asked me for a book out, “Goats are in pain there,” holds tight to hear from families around the world they could share without making the who have my books that their children his friend, and persuades his family to forgo the recipients feel any pressure—this is it! are getting on board with veganism goat’s slaughter. and helping sustain the choice within

Q: What inspired you to write a the family. Knowledge makes them cookbook for children? “PIGS ARE NICE. committed to change. AND CHICKS ARE NICE. A: The philosophy behind all AND COWS ARE NICE.” my books is to help raise a new Find all of Ruby’s books at generation to love deeply, think WeDontEatAnimals.com, in stores, This young girl makes critically, and act responsibly. So many or online wherever books are sold. the connection resources, toys, movies, and books for between the meat kids contain dumbed down content, on her plate and a hindering what our kids are actually dead turkey. “I don’t capable of mentally, physically, and like when people spiritually. As a culture, I think we eat animals,” she need to raise our standards to meet exclaims. I don’t think kids’ true capabilities—I wanted to that’s very nice.” create a cookbook that tells them, “I believe in you and your power to change the world!” Watch these videos! ChooseVeg.com/CompassionateKids MARCO ANTONIO REGIL JOAQUIN PHOENIX DAISY FUENTES

KAT VON D MOBY RUSSELL SIMMONS

SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 LOS ANGELES CELEBRATING UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS

TONY KANAL PAMELA ANDERSON EMILY DESCHANEL MFAGALA.COM