Expert: Tina Volpe - 10/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Ms.Volpe,

Hello! I created an animal rights club last year at my high school. The first year we struggled for members but now we are going strong. We were thinking about visiting a factory farm and then an "organic" farm and have a group discussion where we would compare and contrast the two. Do you know of a way that we could get a tour of a factory farm? Thanks.

Mark Meckstroth

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

Congrats on taking on such an important subject at your school.  We need about a million more people like you!

About visiting - probably not - factory farms and slaughterhouses do not allow visitors for obvious reasons - most of the sanctuaries and AR groups have to sneak in, but that could land you in jail.  

My suggestion is to watch undercover footage of them.  Or, visit an animal sanctuary, to which I can suggest one if I know your location.

I have some links, but some of the best are done by Mercy for Animals www.mercyforanimals.org, Humane society of the U.S.www.humanesociety.org

A couple of great videos available on Youtube - Meet your Meat:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4

And Earthlings:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6361872964130308142#

Good luck, and if you want to visit a sanctuary, please let me know.

Tina Volpe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ms.Volpe,

As far sanctuaries, I live in Cincinnati. Do you know of any around there? Thanks.

Mark Meckstroth


Answer
Ohio is where Mercy for Animals is located - and I would suggest contacting them... they might even be able to facilitate a visit to a factory farm or slaughterhouse, if you can convince them.

Mercy for Animals

Oh, wait, I gave you their link.  Get in touch with them...

Tina