Animal Health

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Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)

A nonprofit organization founded in 1951 to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. AWI works to stop the cruel practice of factory farming and replace it with humane and practical methods of farming.

General Resources

Animal Welfare Legislation

A listing of state legislation affecting animal welfare.

Animal Welfare Legislation in Europe

Concise summary of Europe-wide and individual country policies on animal welfare. (World Animal Net.)

Birdlife International

The conservation organization BirdLife International reports that the populations of 24 species of European farmland birds have plummeted in the past two decades as a result of intensive agriculture practices. Skylarks, lapwings and yellowhammers have declined by over 30% since 1980. BirdLife hopes, through birds, to promote biodiversity and help curb the destructive practices of intensive farming.

Compassion in World Farming Publications

Briefing notes, fully referenced reports, books, educational slide packs and videos on various issues including animal welfare, agribusiness, and genetic engineering.

Dawn Watch

This site follows animal welfare issues in the news and provides ideas for engaging the media in a discussion about animal welfare.

Debeaking Poultry: The Need for Federal Legislation Prohibiting the Inhumane Practice

Short summary from United Poultry Concerns.

Farm Animal Health and Well-Being

A comprehensive evaluation of the health and welfare of farm animals by AWI’s Farm Animal Economic Advisor, Marlene Halverson, in consultation with seven international animal welfare scientists. Prepared as a technical working paper for the State of Minnesota, this paper is part of the state’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) on animal agriculture. (Prepared by Marlene Halverson for the Minnesota Planning Agency Environmental Quality Board, June 2001.)

Farmed Animal Watch

Information on farm-animal-related publications, action alerts, important contacts, links, meetings and conferences, and archived issues of the organization’s electronic newsletter, Farmed Animal Watch.

Forced Molting of Laying Birds

Text of petition to the USDA and FDA, from United Poultry Concerns and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. (April 1998.)

Slaughterhouse

A compelling case against the greed and inhumanity of the U.S. meat industry. Eisnitz is an undercover reporter who spent several years compiling her case. (Gail A. Eisnitz, Prometheus Books, New York, 1997. Available at a discounted price from the Humane Farming Association, P.O. Box 3577, San Rafael, CA 94912.)

They Die Piece by Piece

Those unfamiliar with the practices of some of the larger commercial slaughter operations should check out the 2001 Washington Post story, “They Die Piece by Piece,” which examines glaring problems in the slaughtering process at overtaxed plants. (Washington Post, April 2001.)

World Animal Net

Has one of the world’s largest databases of scientific reports and references. This resource is invaluable to animal protection societies seeking scientific information to improve the welfare of animals. (Cambridge University Animal Welfare Information Centre.)

Groups

AnimalConcerns.org

An online community for people concerned about the welfare and rights of animals. Also a news service for related stories and issues.

Animal Place

A sanctuary for abused and discarded farm animals as well as an education center, with books and games focused on teaching children about farm animals. The website also includes current news and events.

Animal Protection Institute

Protects against animal abuse through enforcement/legislative actions, investigations, advocacy campaigns, public awareness, and education at all levels from local to state, national, and international. Based in San Francisco.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)

Through hard-hitting political lobbying and high profile campaigns, CIWF exposes the cruel conditions under which farm animals are often reared, transported, and slaughtered.

FARM – Farm Animal Reform Movement

Promoting plant-based eating and humane treatment of farm animals since 1976. FARM conducts seven national campaigns, including World Farm Animals Day, National Veal Ban Action, Letters from FARM, CHOICE (Consumers for Healthy Options in Children’s Education), and Industry Watch.

F.A.C.T. (Food Animal Concerns Trust)

A publicly supported, charitable organization that promotes better methods of raising livestock and poultry in order to benefit animal health, preserve the environment, and protect food safety.

Fund for Animals

Founded in 1967 by Cleveland Amory to advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

The Humane Farming Association

Organization devoted to the protection of farm animals. Special section on BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) and its effect on the cows and humans.

The Humane Society of the United States

HSUS opposes the proliferation of factory farms and promotes humane, sustainable food production systems through the interrelated themes of animal protection, the environment, family farmers and rural communities, and worker and consumer health.

Reports

Animal Welfare Problems in UK Slaughterhouses

Report on how many animals, including poultry, suffer terribly during the slaughter process. (Peter Stevenson, Compassion in World Farming Trust, June 2000.)

Farm Animal Health and Well-Being

An exhaustive report on animal welfare and factory farms. Prepared for the Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Animal Agriculture in Minnesota. Includes information on hogs, cattle and chickens. (Marlene Halverson, April 2002.)

Farm Animal Welfare: Crisis or Opportunity for Agriculture?

Describes in layman’s terms the scientific aspects of animal welfare, particularly with respect to hogs. Suggests economic and policy solutions to create more sustainable, humane hog production. (Marlene Halverson, University of Minnesota Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, September 1991.)

Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America

Produced by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, this comprehensive report provides a detailed description of the detrimental impacts of factory farms on public health, the environment, animal welfare, and rural communities. The report also includes the Commission’s six primary recommendations for improving the sustainability of animal agriculture in the future. 2007.

The State of Animals in 2001

A general assessment of the well-being of all animals in the United States, along with public opinion polls and state laws that protect animals. (Paul Irwin, The State of the Animals 2001, Humane Society Publications.)

The Welfare of Sows in Gestation Crates

A summary of the scientific evidence suggests that intensive confinement causes both physical and psychological disorders in sows. (Floridians for Humane Farms.)