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Andrew Skowron Exposes The Everyday Reality Of Farm Animals And It Might Turn You Into A Vegetarian (30 Pics)
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Andrew Skowron has been an animal rights activist for over 20 years, and for many years he's been documenting the reality of animals in factory farms. The places he visits and the images he sees on a daily basis are unbearable for most people, but Andrew keeps coming back and fighting even harder for the world to see the animals for who they truly are - friends, not food.
For the new decade, Andrew wrote a letter to everybody who loves animals and wants to see them free and happy.
Andrew
More info: andrewskowron.org | Instagram | Facebook
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A Fox Making An Eye Contact During An Intervention On A Fur Farm
"Hi, my name is Andrew. I've been working as a farm animal photographer for many years. Today, I want to ask you a favor for the new decade."
Sleeping Piglets On A Pig Farm
"Every year, I visit numerous factory farms. Very often people don't want to look at my photos, not because they are bad, but because they show the reality our society doesn't want to see. We don't want to see the pain, the neglect, the suffering. We don't want to acknowledge the terrible crime we, as humans, committed towards the animals. And I get it, trust me. I know how difficult it is to see another living creature hurt. I've been to more factory farms than I can count, and the things I've seen will haunt me forever."
A Pig Interacting With The Activists
"Calves crying for their mothers, as they are taken away from them right after birth. Exhausted, exploited laying hens, practically featherless, barely breathing. Broiler chickens too heavy to lift their own bodies, unable to get to water or food. Minks and foxes going crazy in tiny cages of fur farms, with injuries to their paws and bodies. Quails kept in cages so small and dirty, they couldn't even dream of spreading their wings. Piglets having their tails cut off, teeth clipped, castrated with no anesthesia, screaming for help. Sows kept in farrowing crates, where they can't even turn around. Geese transported to slaughter in 40-degree heat."
Motherhood In Factory Farms, Pig Farm
Pigs Consoling Each Other, Pig Farm
"I've been to hell and I keep coming back. I get it - it's difficult to watch. But we cannot turn a blind eye on the way animals are treated on factory farms anymore. We cannot pretend they are not there, just because we can't hear their screams from our apartments. It's time to wake up. It's time to make an uprising."
A Meeting With A Bull, Dairy Farm
A Piglet Having Its Tail Cut Off Without Anesthesia
"This next decade, I am asking you to be more open-minded. To do your research. I am asking you not to skip that slaughterhouse video. I am asking you to live according to your values - if you really love animals, help them. Don't eat them. Support animal rights activists, fight for the better world with us. Open your mind, eyes, and heart. The nightmare we created for the animals is real and difficult to accept, but if we unite and act now, as a community - we will win this fight and make this world a better place for the animals. And for ourselves."
Broiler Chicken, Unable To Move
meat chickens are designed for this unfortunately. generally people slaughter them a bit before they splay out. Eventually they are too heavy. I raised meat birds. They lived a happy life until they died.
A Piglet Screaming In Pain, Pig Farm
Pigs scream at literally everything they dislike, its their main defense mechanism. There is no guarantee this one is in pain rather than just unhappy
"I believe in you. I believe your heart is stronger than your taste buds. I believe you don't want animals to suffer. I believe we're in this together. Let's make this new decade a new era."
Terrified Fox, Waiting To Be Rescued, Fur Farm
I hope he got rescued. There is no reason to wear fur in a world where it can be made from fabrics that are hard to tell from the real thing. What benefit is there in owning real fur?
Dirty And Exhausted Pig On A Pig Farm In Poland
This is how pigs look. It is not possible to tell if this pig is sad or not from this picture.
A Pig Breathing Fresh Air For The First Time
1) there is no context to show where they are at. 2) carbon dioxide and oxygen are colorless so you can not tell how fresh it is. 3) if they did not get fresh air they would be dead.
Ducklings On A Duck Farm, Ukraine
Pigs Going To Slaughter In An Overcrowded Truck
Look like they just came from a fair. I can tell because of the blue stripes on the back.
A Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland
People buy raccoon fur? And fox fur? Why. It's not only inhumane and stupid, it's ugly too
An Activist Holding A One-Day-Old Broiler Chicken
You can't rescue broilers. They are genetically bred to get so heavy so fast they break legs, end up with deformed beaks etc. They cannot have quality of life beyond 6-8 weeks
A Crying Cow On The Way To Slaughterhouse
Animals don't shed tears due to sadness. It's to clean their eyes. Just like dogs and cats and pigs and lambs.
Laboratory Rabbit
There's so much wrong in this picture! Bunnies need a carpeted flooring, or else they'll get feet pains with their overly fluffy feet bottoms. Bunny has nothing to do, either, and nowhere to hide!
A Terrified Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland
Calves In Igloo Booths, Dairy Farm
This is actually pretty nice compared to the single sheet uninsulated plywood calf shacks I've seen in my local rural areas. It's very sad but these little guys have it better than most.
Calves Separated From Their Mothers And Each Other, Dairy Farm
Pigs Going To Slaughter, Trying To Breathe Fresh Air For The First Time
To assume that the pigs are "struggling to get fresh air" is absurd. Pigs are like dogs in a lot of ways. They are very curious in nature, have great hearing, and incredible sense of smell...for rooting out food that is underneath the soil. Pigs will always smell to get a sense of their surroundings, when their vision is blocked by something...just like dogs. If you have ever seen a pig pile (where all the pigs lay all over each other while they sleep), their snouts are crammed quite often, which they don't care...otherwise they would move to a more comfortable position.
A Calf On A Dairy Farm, Kept In An Igloo Booth
The calf is happy, waiting for its next meal. That is what most of them are all about. That and sleeping. Like human babies. 🙂
Note: this post originally had 63 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
This is an important perspective the pictures are touching. However - I grew up in a farming community where our animals were treated like pets. Making it sound like this is every farm is irresponsible. Lots of people practice responsible, sustainable, humane, free-range farming. Take pictures of them too.
1. Few people bother to look where their food comes from. 2. Family farms produce a negligible amount of all animal products. 3. So tell me more about how animals at your farm are treated.
I know my farmer and they know me. They take their role seriously and respect their animals. https://sevensons.net/our-principles
It's kinda fitting how this post about farms creates a strawman.
I would gladly support a farm like that instead of these huge factory farms.
That's awesome you try to be as good to the animals as possible and I wish more farms were like yours, but you certainly did not treat them like your pets unless you were prone to killing and eating Fido and Kitty so I think the "humane" part isn't really accurate. If I killed your family dog and said "Yeah but I did it humanely" I don't think you'd go "Oh, okay then. No worries".
A man was acquitted of an animal cruelty charge for tying a bomb around his dog's neck and detonating it, on the grounds the dog "didn't suffer".
Thank you! Most of us have happy, healthy animals that we love raising. I actually have cows that wait at the fence for the school bus.
I agree its important to stand up to factory farming but activists will never show the 'good' side of animal farming. They want it to be shocking and polarizing, they don't care about facts or the farmers that don't do this. They want everyone to not eat meat, so, they hammer it home regardless of other perspectives-- like for example-- even with the methane they produce, cattle farming have way less emissions than cars and factories. This is never touched upon lately-- at all, ever. Instead, they blame farming for all the worlds ills, and no one wants to give up their car and their iphones made in developing countries and whatever. They will just pick facts that further their cause... it's just, it's really sad actually. Instead of worrying about the important stuff, renewable energy, reducing industrialism... its like, ok steaks are bad and lets just recycle more. Sigh.
these ppl dont care if its more humane...they are activists they dont want any farmers existing who have cattle....thats what they want ...some even say that its ok if it means to take millions of jobs and starve ppl...because they are fanatics and want everybody to be vegan....
YOu don't know what you're talking about. This is about ending cruelty, period. Stop defending your indifference to it by trying to read something sinister into the motives of people who want to speak up for those who are helpless. And no, people will not "starve" without meat. Not to mention meat is THE most expensive form of food to produce.
Laine Light Really? Then please explain to us how suffocating thousands of chickens slowely is ending cruelty? Or stealing the mother rabbits leaving the newborn to die? YOU my dear, are the one that don't know what you are talking about. And yes, people will starve without meat, you see, the majority of earths population don't live close to your local Wallmart, but have to live of the land. And all land on this planet is not suitable for growing crops. And have you ever heard of kwashiorkor (of course you haven't)? That is what happens to kids not getting enough protein, and is common in many areas. But sure, sitt on your high vegan horse and be oblivious to the suffering occuring to people and the massive suffering we all will endure if vegans get the "educated" way.
I agree. There's a huge difference between factory farms - which are beyond abhorrent - and family farms. There's no reason to be cruel to animals of any kind, whether being raised to eat or as pets. Cruelty is cruelty. I'm not now, have never been and will never be a vegetarian, but that doesn't make me a hypocrite, before that inevitable response gets posted. You can love animals and eat them, the two are not mutually exclusive.
Full name, stop trying to control what people eat. If they want to eat a burger, it's not going to make you die slowly and painfully.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
"Cruelty is cruelty", yet you condone and participate in the killing of animals to eat, when for sure you can easily source out non-meat food. Yes you can love animals and eat them too, but that doesn't mean that killing things that literally don't need to be killed (because it's easy to find plant based foods) isn't cruel. Of course it is. If you are fine with that, then that's fine. You do you, but at least be honest about it.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
this is wonderful and how it should be. but this is not common practice. you have to show horrible pictures. otherwise nothing will change.
This is just too silly. I've tried to comment some of the picture to explain what they really show, and get downvoted. I suspect some people doesn't want to hear about it and possibly learn something new.
I grew up on a farm. We had few animals, but we still had to give shots and geld and occasionally give them some discomfort (just like we humans get when we're at the doctor). It wasn't fun, but we were only supporting ourselves. If we'd tried to "go big", I don't doubt matters would have been different. I've seen factory farms, and they're horror shows of confinement and filth. If people would pay more for eggs or meat or dairy, then farms might not have evolved to treat animals like that, b/c ti takes *time* and *effort* to make sure every animal is treated well and has land to roam and all that. And nobody wants to do that. They want cheap hamburger and bacon.
I'm vegetarian since 8 years and I totally agree with your pov
I totally agree. Here is my farmer for all my protein. https://sevensons.net/our-principles
This is so true. Dont be horrified unless you pay the higher price for humanely raised meat.
I agree using the term terrified to describe animals is from a strictly scientific perspective anthropomorphism. But people do not want to hear that. For the most part, we don't know how nonhuman animals think. Graphic pictures do not tell the true story.
There's not a zoologist alive that will agree that animals do not feel fear. We actually have pretty good understanding of animal emotion.
Not everything that happens in factory farms is cruel, but clearly the comfort of the animals isn't a priority unless it affects the quality of the meat (i.e. profit). If these businesses could get away with treating them like inanimate objects they absolutely would.
Shhhh......they don't want to be bothered with FACTS!! Meat eaters are evil and should be purged is the message I got from this story. My tummy on the otherhand is now craving some yummy yummy bacon. So I think this post had the opposite effect.
You had us in the first half, not gonna lie.
They want to say they support animals but will not learn about why some of this is done for health or safety of the animals themselves.
Oh hush, nonsense. I live in rural USA and I know the difference between factory farming and correct husbandry. Don't defend the indefensible and be a total fucktard.
I really don't understand how this is legal? I eat meat, many of us do, but why is there not legislation in place to ensure these poor animals don't spend their lives being tortured? I know people think it doesn't matter if they're being eaten anyway, but damn at least let them breathe fresh air.
Providing adequate... Anything really...for animals destined to be eaten is too expensive. Animal welfare is always last in the meat and dairy industry.
Well I would gladly pay more money to cover the costs! If more meat farms did it and just didn't give the option people would have to pay high prices or just not have it
NOT TRUE!! these are my farmers. https://sevensons.net/our-principles http://www.pasturesdelights.com/About-us_ep_7.html
There is no incentive for meat industries to make it more humane, as many will eat meat either way, citing it doesn't matter since the is defined to die regardless. It's horrifying and torturous, but every time we eat meat we say "yes" to it.
The agricultural lobby is more powerful than the gun lobby, tobacco, pharma, you name it.
Every time I pet my animals I just look into their eyes and see all of these poor creatures looking back and it breaks my heart.
Because people are to cheap to pay all this extra attention. So next time think about buying the cheap discount meat...
Oops sorry, ** since the animal is destined to die regardless
This is an important perspective the pictures are touching. However - I grew up in a farming community where our animals were treated like pets. Making it sound like this is every farm is irresponsible. Lots of people practice responsible, sustainable, humane, free-range farming. Take pictures of them too.
1. Few people bother to look where their food comes from. 2. Family farms produce a negligible amount of all animal products. 3. So tell me more about how animals at your farm are treated.
I know my farmer and they know me. They take their role seriously and respect their animals. https://sevensons.net/our-principles
It's kinda fitting how this post about farms creates a strawman.
I would gladly support a farm like that instead of these huge factory farms.
That's awesome you try to be as good to the animals as possible and I wish more farms were like yours, but you certainly did not treat them like your pets unless you were prone to killing and eating Fido and Kitty so I think the "humane" part isn't really accurate. If I killed your family dog and said "Yeah but I did it humanely" I don't think you'd go "Oh, okay then. No worries".
A man was acquitted of an animal cruelty charge for tying a bomb around his dog's neck and detonating it, on the grounds the dog "didn't suffer".
Thank you! Most of us have happy, healthy animals that we love raising. I actually have cows that wait at the fence for the school bus.
I agree its important to stand up to factory farming but activists will never show the 'good' side of animal farming. They want it to be shocking and polarizing, they don't care about facts or the farmers that don't do this. They want everyone to not eat meat, so, they hammer it home regardless of other perspectives-- like for example-- even with the methane they produce, cattle farming have way less emissions than cars and factories. This is never touched upon lately-- at all, ever. Instead, they blame farming for all the worlds ills, and no one wants to give up their car and their iphones made in developing countries and whatever. They will just pick facts that further their cause... it's just, it's really sad actually. Instead of worrying about the important stuff, renewable energy, reducing industrialism... its like, ok steaks are bad and lets just recycle more. Sigh.
these ppl dont care if its more humane...they are activists they dont want any farmers existing who have cattle....thats what they want ...some even say that its ok if it means to take millions of jobs and starve ppl...because they are fanatics and want everybody to be vegan....
YOu don't know what you're talking about. This is about ending cruelty, period. Stop defending your indifference to it by trying to read something sinister into the motives of people who want to speak up for those who are helpless. And no, people will not "starve" without meat. Not to mention meat is THE most expensive form of food to produce.
Laine Light Really? Then please explain to us how suffocating thousands of chickens slowely is ending cruelty? Or stealing the mother rabbits leaving the newborn to die? YOU my dear, are the one that don't know what you are talking about. And yes, people will starve without meat, you see, the majority of earths population don't live close to your local Wallmart, but have to live of the land. And all land on this planet is not suitable for growing crops. And have you ever heard of kwashiorkor (of course you haven't)? That is what happens to kids not getting enough protein, and is common in many areas. But sure, sitt on your high vegan horse and be oblivious to the suffering occuring to people and the massive suffering we all will endure if vegans get the "educated" way.
I agree. There's a huge difference between factory farms - which are beyond abhorrent - and family farms. There's no reason to be cruel to animals of any kind, whether being raised to eat or as pets. Cruelty is cruelty. I'm not now, have never been and will never be a vegetarian, but that doesn't make me a hypocrite, before that inevitable response gets posted. You can love animals and eat them, the two are not mutually exclusive.
Full name, stop trying to control what people eat. If they want to eat a burger, it's not going to make you die slowly and painfully.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
"Cruelty is cruelty", yet you condone and participate in the killing of animals to eat, when for sure you can easily source out non-meat food. Yes you can love animals and eat them too, but that doesn't mean that killing things that literally don't need to be killed (because it's easy to find plant based foods) isn't cruel. Of course it is. If you are fine with that, then that's fine. You do you, but at least be honest about it.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
this is wonderful and how it should be. but this is not common practice. you have to show horrible pictures. otherwise nothing will change.
This is just too silly. I've tried to comment some of the picture to explain what they really show, and get downvoted. I suspect some people doesn't want to hear about it and possibly learn something new.
I grew up on a farm. We had few animals, but we still had to give shots and geld and occasionally give them some discomfort (just like we humans get when we're at the doctor). It wasn't fun, but we were only supporting ourselves. If we'd tried to "go big", I don't doubt matters would have been different. I've seen factory farms, and they're horror shows of confinement and filth. If people would pay more for eggs or meat or dairy, then farms might not have evolved to treat animals like that, b/c ti takes *time* and *effort* to make sure every animal is treated well and has land to roam and all that. And nobody wants to do that. They want cheap hamburger and bacon.
I'm vegetarian since 8 years and I totally agree with your pov
I totally agree. Here is my farmer for all my protein. https://sevensons.net/our-principles
This is so true. Dont be horrified unless you pay the higher price for humanely raised meat.
I agree using the term terrified to describe animals is from a strictly scientific perspective anthropomorphism. But people do not want to hear that. For the most part, we don't know how nonhuman animals think. Graphic pictures do not tell the true story.
There's not a zoologist alive that will agree that animals do not feel fear. We actually have pretty good understanding of animal emotion.
Not everything that happens in factory farms is cruel, but clearly the comfort of the animals isn't a priority unless it affects the quality of the meat (i.e. profit). If these businesses could get away with treating them like inanimate objects they absolutely would.
Shhhh......they don't want to be bothered with FACTS!! Meat eaters are evil and should be purged is the message I got from this story. My tummy on the otherhand is now craving some yummy yummy bacon. So I think this post had the opposite effect.
You had us in the first half, not gonna lie.
They want to say they support animals but will not learn about why some of this is done for health or safety of the animals themselves.
Oh hush, nonsense. I live in rural USA and I know the difference between factory farming and correct husbandry. Don't defend the indefensible and be a total fucktard.
I really don't understand how this is legal? I eat meat, many of us do, but why is there not legislation in place to ensure these poor animals don't spend their lives being tortured? I know people think it doesn't matter if they're being eaten anyway, but damn at least let them breathe fresh air.
Providing adequate... Anything really...for animals destined to be eaten is too expensive. Animal welfare is always last in the meat and dairy industry.
Well I would gladly pay more money to cover the costs! If more meat farms did it and just didn't give the option people would have to pay high prices or just not have it
NOT TRUE!! these are my farmers. https://sevensons.net/our-principles http://www.pasturesdelights.com/About-us_ep_7.html
There is no incentive for meat industries to make it more humane, as many will eat meat either way, citing it doesn't matter since the is defined to die regardless. It's horrifying and torturous, but every time we eat meat we say "yes" to it.
The agricultural lobby is more powerful than the gun lobby, tobacco, pharma, you name it.
Every time I pet my animals I just look into their eyes and see all of these poor creatures looking back and it breaks my heart.
Because people are to cheap to pay all this extra attention. So next time think about buying the cheap discount meat...
Oops sorry, ** since the animal is destined to die regardless