How can you say NO?

Shaken or stirred, the initial phase of the Humane California Campaign is a numbers game. In less than five months, 650,000 signatures need to be gathered in California to qualify the farm animal reform initiative for the November 2008 ballot.

Reaching the signature goal by the end of February may seem like an act of God. In reality, it’s the action of a solid network of committed volunteers that will move this campaign forward.

Please join us for weekly signature gathering sessions in the East Bay. Click here for the upcoming dates, times and locations. To sweeten the deal, EBAA will buy you a free t-shirt for volunteering.

How can you say NO to this proposition?

One-hour of your time will go a long-way to making this campaign a true mark of success.

Speaking of mark, check out this campaign article written by Mark Hawthorne, author of the soon-to-be-released Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism.

Does California really need another slaughterhouse?

The City of Tulare has its sights on the development of a new slaughterhouse. To the detriment of animals, water/air quality and public lands, the proposed plant would allow for the slaughter of 1,600 cattle daily. Visit the Grace Factory Farm Project to learn about the impact of intensive beef production. This website is a wonderful resource for fact-hungry consumers and advocates. Also, take a peak at EBAA’s report on dairy cow production in the Golden State.

Public comments are welcome regarding Tulare's slaughterhouse proposal. Share your concerns with the Tulare Planning Department by November 15, 2007:

Mark Kielty, ACIP
City of Tulare Planning Dept.
411 East Kern Ave.
Tulare, CA 93274
Tel: (559) 684-4217

Consumers express views on farm animal welfare

The American Farm Bureau Federation funded a new survey to examine the public's concern over farm animal welfare. Read this excerpt from Feedstuffs:

"Perhaps the most contentious and emotional issue in livestock agriculture is that of farm animal welfare. Modern animal production practices are regularly criticized by animal rights groups, defended by livestock industries and studied by scientists.

The animal welfare debate is far more than a war of words. It has led to legislative action and is influencing consumer demand in a way that could profoundly affect agricultural markets.

Victories by animal rights groups are occurring at a rapid pace. For example, citizens in Arizona and Florida recently voted to ban the use of gestation crates, and similar referenda are being planned for other states."

Learn more about the survey results online.

New website campaign takes aim at popular dairy companies

The confinement of thousands of newborn female calves in small crates is a growing feature of California dairy production. Over the last few years, EBAA has documented the lives of these young animals. In fact, EBAA visited Mendes Calf Ranch in Tipton, California last year to capture documentation. Using our video documentation, the Animal Legal Defense Fund subsequently filed a lawsuit against Mendes, challenging the ranch's animal confinement practices. Land O'Lakes and Challenge Dairy are two of the dairy producers that use milk from calves confined at Mendes. A new website (FreeBabyMendes.com) was launched this week to educate the public on this important issue. It's time to let dairy producers know that this practice is unnecessary — and unacceptable.

Democracy never tasted so sweet in the Golden State

Last night, the Ballot Initiative Campaign Rally kicked off in San Francisco with a strong show of support from Bay Area residents. Over 140 local animal advocates packed the halls of the SF/SPCA to learn more about the benchmark drive to protect millions of animals in California agriculture.

EBAA is committed to providing a strong base of support throughout the 13-month campaign to enact the California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act into law. In fact, EBAA volunteers have signed on to collect at least 6,000 signatures before February 28, 2008. Our signature gathering efforts will be folded together with our public outreach for the Lunardi's Abuse Campaign. All signature gathering volunteers must be registered voters. To register, please click here.

The Associated Press and Capital Press ran news stories this week about the new campaign to ban battery cages, veal crates and gestation stalls in the Golden State. Read an excerpt from the news story from The Associated Press:

"Nineteen million chickens in California produce about five billion eggs a year — making them the nation's fifth-largest supplier of omelets and scrambled eggs. Now, animal welfare groups hope to change the way the hens live and lay. The groups are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative to give the hens more room to roam. The measure would force farmers to change current practices that keep most egg-laying hens, veal calves and pregnant pigs in small cages or boxes for most of their lives. It would require that enclosures be big enough for the animals to fully extend their wings or legs, lie down, stand up and turn around."

Over the last several years, EBAA has examined the actual living conditions of animals in agriculture, especially egg-laying chickens, in the California's Central Valley. Watch our mini-documentary about California egg production.

To learn more about animal cruelty in California agriculture, visit our online hub.