Calling for help about what to do about our world's animal farming policies

Hi. I caught an image during a news broadcast during my supper tonight and was totally traumatized. I can't put the words here but it was an investigative report clip about meat animals. I could barely finish my meal - I turned away and burst into tears. My husband sat there staring at me totally confused at first.

Are there any advocates and/or social change agents out there who could give me some advice about how I can do something about this? I want to turn this horror and trauma into action. I can't stand feeling powerless anymore while this torture goes on.

A few key points so you will know more about my current position on this:
* I would like to continue eating meat. It is part of my established healthy diet. My ancestors lived on meat and harvested animals in a respectful and spiritual way. But I don't hunt, so I have to depend on "big brother" to regulate how I get food on my table.
* I am not very techno savvy. I don't have facebook nor twitter nor any other social media thingie going on. (SF is about as technologically social as I can get! )
* I am not a spring chicken. I also have a health condition that affects my energy and strength. It would limit me from say, going to parliament hill and marching, or chaining myself to the doors of a slaughterhouse. (But never say never! I might surprise myself!)

So given this info, what can someone like me do to at least give voice to something I feel very strongly about? Animals should not have to suffer like this. I do not want to eat the flesh of animals that have been barbarically tortured in their harvest. It is not good for humans and especially not for the animals!

Thank you - I am hopeful to hear some inspiring ideas and guidance!

Do you know of someone who could start an online petition for you? If you know anyone on Facebook, they could also put the word out.

[Jenny Crow]

You could try contacting your local Member of Parliament; and get everyone you know to do the same.

There is a petition site where you can reach loads of people - I'll try to find it and post it or send you a PM.

PETA may be able to help or at least inform you how to go about doing something that's going to be noticed.

To stop the CAFO's the gov't is going to have to change the laws and that's going to take a lot of doing. PETA is - People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals.

I don't know if IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare would be able to help or give you suggestions but it's worth a try.

I really believe that if the gov't was inundated with people's letters and emails and petitions they would have to eventually change the laws on how food animals would have to be treated.

Thank you, primrose and Jenny Crow Cousin. I never thought about these non-profit orgs... of course they would want to see farming practices changed for the sakes of the animals. I am going to research them/contact them. Then I can feel a little better about my food choices.

[muileag]

I eat meat 3-4 days out of the week, but the meat I eat is from a local, organic farm where the animals are completely grassfed. I know the farmer personally, and he has even written a book on ethical farming. I've "been a vegetarian" in the past and there may be a time in the future when I won't eat meat again. I'm moving back to the coast of Maine this summer where seafood is fresh and not farmed, so I see myself eating less farm-raised animals and more seafood in the future. The thing is, I don't have a problem eating meat, but I have a HUGE problem with factory farming and the inhumane treatment of animals. Like you, I hope to get more involved in stopping factory farming (and also GMO and unhealthy vegetable/fruit/grain production), but for now I feel in control of my own behavior.

Another wonderful organization is Mercy For Animals. They are dedicated to preventing cruelty to farm animals. Their vision is to create a society where all animals are treated with compassion and respect. On their website they have information on ways you can help create a kinder world for these gentle, sentient animals.
One of my favorite quotes
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Another wonderful organization is Mercy For Animals. They are dedicated to preventing cruelty to farm animals. Their vision is to create a society where all animals are treated with compassion and respect. On their website they have information on ways you can help create a kinder world for these gentle, sentient animals.

This is one of my favorite quotes

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

I saw a programme recently about battery farmed chickens, also a disturbing one where an undercover camera caught a worker at a dairy farm beating the cows, it was very upsetting to see. these poor creatures are traumatized, I sign petitions when I see them I like to think it makes a difference. Thanks for that information Natasharabbit.

[sea-dove]

Hi, One of my favourite sites is www.care2.com . You will see find there petitions you can sign to do with animal welfare and other things (its also easy to start up ones own petition from there too on anything).

This site has the bonus too that with each petition someone signs there, it gives points and then one can with those points choose something to donate for a charity (eg food for an animal in a shelter, trees, land for endangered animals etc)

[Tobi]

You could take a look at the Compassion in World Farming website. It's based in the UK, and I haven't had time right now to find out if there are other branches in the US, but maybe a lot can be done 'over the pond' online?
This is their website:

http://www.ciwf.org.uk/