Table of Contents
Every year, 50 billion animals are raised and slaughtered in the highly intensive food production, factory farming . Many of them experience great suffering. Their cages and stalls can be so cramped that they can barely move. They are bred for rapid growth and live in substandard conditions, causing stress, injury and disease. In some places, practices that cause intense pain, such as castrating pigs or docking (cutting off) their tails without anesthesia, are also allowed.
Despite the scale of the problem, it is relatively overlooked. Around 1,000 professionals work on the issue and 20 million dollars are spent annually to reduce suffering. Potential solutions include strategic advocacy to reduce demand for the products we get from animals, working for legislation that improves their conditions, and developing plant-based alternatives to animal foods.