How New Policies are Transforming Factory Farming
Published in MinnesotaVeg Living Annual Magazine
At Farmaste Animal Sanctuary in Lindstrom, Minnesota, pig sisters Violet and Ophelia enjoy space to roam, belly rubs, and their favorite foods: watermelon and pumpkin. They lead peaceful lives, but sadly, their mother experienced some of the worst abuses imaginable.
In 2016, Ophelia and Violet’s mother was rescued — along with 1,000 other individuals — from the largest farmed animal cruelty case in the Northeastern U.S. Many of the animals had no access to food or water. Dead animals were scattered among the living, and many of the surviving animals had to be euthanized due to ill health.
Shortly after her rescue, Ophelia and Violet’s mother gave birth to her daughters. Born after rescue, they are two of the few lucky pigs in the world who will only know love their whole life long.
More than 90% of pigs and all other farmed animals spend their lives trapped inside factory farms. Also known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), factory farms are large-scale industrial facilities that mass-produce billions of animals each year for human consumption. These facilities prioritize efficiency over animal welfare. Thousands — or even tens of thousands — of animals spend their lives trapped inside a single factory farm. They lack fresh air, proper socialization, and the ability to express natural behaviors. Under these extreme conditions, animals suffer immense distress.
