C.H.A.I.N.E.D. also provides a link to numerous resources, from food banks to low cost vet services that can help people better care for their canine friends. At a time of year when the temperatures start to plummet, C.H.A.I.N.E.D. warms the heart with their good works!

Thanks!

About the HSLF: The HSLF is the lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization.  As a political organization, the HSLF works to pass federal and state animal protection laws. The “HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.”  A part of this work involves keeping an “annual scorecard” detailing legislative records on animal protection issues. The scorecard offers a single focused snapshot of a candidates’ record on animal protection issues, including wildlife, farm animals, animals in research,  equines, pets and cruelty. One valuable aspect of HSLF’s work is simply the inclusion of animal issues on the spectrum of social justice causes, facilitating a more complex analysis of any candidate’s overall positions so that it includes human rights, animal protection, and environmental issues.

HSLF indicates that

“[d]uring her eight years in the U.S. Senate, Clinton was a strong and consistent supporter of animal protection policies, earning a 100 percent score on the Humane Scorecard in the 108th Congress, a perfect 100+ score in the 109th, and an 83 in the 110th. She co-sponsored legislation dealing with horse slaughter and animal fighting, as well as bills to stop the processing of “downer” livestock and crack down on abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated like production machines.”

CATS’ successful campaign had a simple aim, “taking over Clapham Common station for two weeks” by replacing dozens of ads with furry faces. The perk for pets is that the new features are cats available for adoption from Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline welfare charity, and Battersea Dogs and Cats Rescue.  Cat’s Protection assists more than 200,000 cats each year Battersea cares for thousands of cats each year, connecting felines to forever homes in their adoption efforts.  In addition to smiles, no doubt, the publicity will help the featured cats.  The campaign has the added potential of raising awareness about adoption, too.  Well done!

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. ~Albert Schweitzer

When confronted with pain and suffering of others, many people look away, but Antia Krajnc of Toronto Pig Save took action.  Krajnc intervened where she saw suffering and now faces jail time and a $5,000 fine for providing water to pigs.  The group Toronto Pig Save holds weekly vigils with an aim of  bearing witness to the suffering of animals in transport on their 110 kilometer journey to the slaughterhouse.  The group has coordinated these vigils for several years, calling public attention to the conditions animals face and taking actions to alleviate suffering, like offering water on a hot day while the vehicle was stopped.  

Charged with “criminal mischief,”  Ms. Krajnc’s case rapidly gained global support with petitions insisting compassion isn’t a crime and urging courts to drop the charges.  The case may bring to light the distinction between meeting regulations and meeting moral obligations as it explores Krajnc’s actions.  Though research suggests the intelligence, sociability, and cognitive skills of pigs are noteworthy, those in the agricultural industry may not financially benefit from a broader public understanding of pigs.

From activists offering water to researchers investigating animal sentience, advocates for improved welfare are often faced with challenges when confronting the status quo.  For instance, an interactive video game designed for humans and pigs called “Pig Chase” enables humans to play with pigs from their homes, moving a responsive light on a touchscreen in a pig stall.  Though the game provides  mental stimulation for pigs, it simultaneously offers a unique opportunity for humans to interact with them.  As such, the game may also encourage humans to consider the sociability of pigs in ways that often go unconsidered, blurring the fine lines drawn between kinds of animals, like livestock and companion animals. If that level of interaction has the potential to impact the view that it’s morally acceptable to eat pigs, one researcher stated, “the industry is not at all interested in promoting that.  So if we start going down that road, well, then the industry is not going to want to work with us on improving welfare.” But activists like Krajnc know the welfare, and suffering, of every animal matters, and that even small acts of kindness can make a difference. It’s expected Krajnc’s case will also clarify the harsh realities of animal agriculture and the conditions these animals face even when regulations are met. Perhaps Toronto Pig Save‘s continued vigils and awareness raising campaigns will urge more people to consider what they can do to reduce suffering and value these animals’ lives.