When a pig leaps out of a slaughter-bound truck, everyone – even pig eaters – prays that she escapes for good. We don’t know much about her, but we very much want her life to be spared.

By making a film that helps us get to know these animals more intimately and documents their dramatic transition from confinement to freedom, one animal rescuer hopes to convince carnivores to see all animals – not just the ones who escape – as individuals.

Farm sanctuaries are filled with pigs (and other animals) who “dodged a bullet” by leaping (or falling) to freedom. Why do some of us root for these pigs but eat the others?  Are they more deserving than those who didn’t have the courage or ability to jump?

The Onion, a newspaper that publishes satire, irreverently and effectively debunks the “humane slaughter” myth in an article entitled “We Raise All Our Beef Humanely On Open Pasture And Then We Hang Them Upside Down and Slash Their Throats.” The article contains many graphic zingers that expose the extreme cruelty inherent in modern-day slaughter. Example:

“When we shackle a chain to a hind leg of each of our cows and hoist its terrified, quivering frame 12 feet up to the rafters, we can see firsthand just how tender, meaty, and well-marbled its entire body is—and that means exceptional flavor for you and your family!”

Some might find the use of humor in an article about death to be tasteless, but perhaps this unconventional approach will reach open-minded meat eaters who haven’t given any thought to what actually happens to animals in slaughterhouses. Please read the article and share it on social media.

In a testament to the impact of the animal rights movement, the “Animal Agriculture Alliance” sent spies to the 2014 animal rights conferences hosted by FARM and HSUS. In a press release announcing the publication of their reports from the conferences, the organization’s CEO said:

“It is so important that we be present at events like this in order to get a first-hand account of what activist groups are planning” so that we can “more effectively counter their misleading campaigns against animal agriculture.”

“I hope our members utilise these reports as tools to communicate with stakeholders about the true agenda of the activist organisations and recognise the need to actively engage in conversations along the food chain about agriculture’s commitment to animal care.”

Following is the Association’s map of “radical activist organizations.” We should all strive to make it onto this organization’s list.

“Radical Activist Groups” (photo: Animal Agriculture Alliance)

On September 2nd, the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) occupied a NYC Chipotle during lunch hour and played the sound of squealing animals to capture the attention of patrons.

Since October, 2013, DxE has conducted “It’s Not Food. It’s Violence” protests in 50 cities and 16 countries. The organization has targeted Chipotle because its marketing campaign deceptively suggests that its animals are humanely raised and slaughtered, making people feel good about eating abused animals when they might have otherwise abstained. “The company is trying to market killing as humane,” said a DxE spokesperson, “But there is no escaping the reality that slitting an animal’s throat is violent.”

Please visit Direct Action Everywhere to learn more about their campaign and to support their brave work by participating in their actions or donating.

The owner of a famous U.K. restaurant that serves foie gras is accusing activists of engaging in blackmail in their attempts to pressure him into taking it off the menu. Alvin Michaels says the group Hertfordshire Animal Rights “has pursued the Bricklayers Arms through a negative campaign on social media, threatening phone calls and demonstrations.” Mr. Michaels defends the sale of foie gras, saying his food is “lovingly sourced” and that other restaurants serve it too. He also invokes the “law of supply and demand.”

By saying that the “cruelty is debatable,” Mr. Michael’s indvertently acknowledges that force-feeding an animal by inserting a tube down his or her esophagus might be inhumane. He also says, “For every study that says it is harmful to feed waterfowl through tube-feeding, there seems to be equal evidence that states that it isn’t.”

Bricklayers Arms Pub (Photo: hemeltoday.co.uk)

In this video about foie gras production, British actress Kate Winslet says, “Foie gras is sold as an expensive delicacy, but no one pays a higher price than the ducks and geese who are abused and killed to make it.” Please share this video on social media and ask the Bricklayers Arms to take this “delicacy of despair” of the menu for good.