Besides the inherent health risks involved from eating meat, the way these animals live and die is horrific. Take gestation crates for instance. Sows are kept in these crates for years, where there are only a mere few inches between them and the metal bars that completely surround them on every side. Many crated sows literally succumb to insanity and will continuously wave their heads back and forth and bite the metal bars until their teeth and gums are destroyed. Pigs are some of the most intelligent creatures on Earth, surpassing dogs and some primates. They are highly social creatures and experience fear, sadness, happiness, and pain.

Gestation Crates have been banned in Canada, scheduled to be banned this year in New Zealand, scheduled for banning in Australia by 2017, and have been banned in Florida, Arizona, California, Rhode Island, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Oregon.

Below is a link that shows which companies are still using gestation crates. Although most of these companies have pledged to be gestation crate free within a number of years, they are still being used. It is up to you to decide if you and your family should financially support companies that are currently using this inhumane practice.

Check out the list of  companies that are still using gestation crates by clicking HERE

Luckily, there are organizations that are giving hope to animals through public awareness, and by offering sanctuaries to those who’ve been rescued. Check out the following links to better educate yourself and see what others are doing to help make the world a better place for all of Earth’s inhabitants:

  • Farm Sanctuary – With 2 locations in California, and 1 in New York, Farm Sanctuary gives happy homes to rescued farm animals.
  • Wikipedia list of animal sanctuaries around the world – Has links to different types of animal sanctuaries world-wide.
  • Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – An accreditation organization which inspects and certifies animal sanctuaries to high standards
  • PeTA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters.
  • Humane Society – The Humane Society of the United States is another large and extremely effective animal protection organization.