Pigs deserve better!

Mon 19th Oct 2009


SAFE has had a successful year after exposing the cruelty of intensive pig farming with the help of Mike King, but needs continued support to put an end to these cruel practices. Many people remain unaware of the reality of pig farming in New Zealand and thousands of pigs continue to suffer everyday.

The structure of New Zealand's pork industry has changed significantly over the last two decades, with small family farms being displaced by large-scale 'factory' pig production facilities where cruelty and suffering are sanctioned by government regulations.

While many New Zealanders may fondly imagine farmed pigs frolicking in fields and wallowing in mud, the real picture is altogether more sinister. For hidden behind these pig warehouse walls are thousands of breeding sows which produce some 700,000 piglets for slaughter every year.

Pregnant sows
Factory farmed sows spend most of their pregnant lives in small, metal-barred stalls. They cannot walk or even turn around. Almost completely immobile, they can suffer from depression and often bite the bars of their cages with monotonous repetition. At the end of their pregnancy, sows are placed in farrowing crates to give birth. Like the sow stall, a farrowing crate prevents sows from walking or turning around.

From pen to pork
The piglets are not any better off. They are kept in dark, barren, overcrowded pens. Here they spend the rest of their short lives standing on a concrete floor without bedding. They will never get to explore, forage or play outdoors. They will be killed for bacon, ham and pork before they are six months of age.

Speaking out against cruelty.
SAFE is New Zealand's leading voice against factory farming. They are looking for compassionate New Zealanders to help collect donations during their National Street Appeal for Animals on 18 December 2009.

Donate a couple of hours of your time and help SAFE reach its goal of 1200 collectors raising over $300,000 for animals! Email Shanti [at] safe [dot] org [dot] nz to sign up.

By The Team @ slynkey.com