Each year, nearly nine billion cows, pigs, sheep, and other feeling, innocent animals are caged, crowded, deprived, drugged, mutilated, and manhandled in US factory farms, auction yards, and slaughterhouses, until the butcher's knife ends their agony.

Veal calves are torn from their mothers at birth and chained by the neck in tiny wooden crates. They are denied natural food, bedding, sunlight, or room to turn around. They suffer from diarrhea and respiratory disorders, until they are slaughtered at 16 weeks.

Breeding sows are kept pregnant in tiny metal "gestation stalls." They give birth and nurse their piglets in "farrowing crates" where they are completely unable to move. The 12 week nursing period is cut to 3, so the sows can be impregnated again.

Laying hens are crammed 5-7 birds in a cage the size of a folded newspaper. For 18 months, they must stand on a sloping wire-mesh floor that cuts their feet, as the wire-mesh tears out their feathers. Their beaks are cut off to prevent stress induced pecking. The males are smothered in garbage bags.

The purpose of the World Farm Animals Day is to enhance public awareness of animal abuse and other destructive impacts of today's animal agriculture on human health, world hunger, natural resources, and environmental quality. The date of the event-2 October-is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the world's most foremost protector of farm animals. Observances range from educational exhibits and vigils to major rallies and memorial services.

For more information, contact:

Farm Animals Reform Movement

All information courtesy of Farm Animals Reform Movement