Proposition 2, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act provides the most basic protections to farm animals in California: merely allowing them to turn around and extend their limbs. Currently, cruel confinement of egg-laying hens, male calves raised for veal, and female breeding pigs is the inhumane reality of factory farming throughout much of the United States.  In order to produce veal, male calves are taken from their mothers at birth and tethered by their necks in crates so small they cannot turn around. Egg-laying hens are often confined in battery cages with several birds to a cage in large warehouses.  Each bird can barely move and cannot even spread her wings, much less engage in other natural behaviors such as nesting, dust bathing, and walking.  During their pregnancies, female breeding pigs (sows) are confined in gestation crates so small, they cannot turn around or assume normal bodily postures, which results in crippling joint disorders and lameness.

If you are a California voter, please vote YES on Proposition 2, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act on November 4, 2008.  If this measure passes, 20 million animals each year will be spared of the most excruciating suffering known to factory farmed animals – veal crates, battery cages, and gestation crates.  These are the most cruel and inhumane forms of extreme confinement, and they will be banned when this law is passed (although producers are given a 6 year phase out period).  Gestation crates for pigs have already been banned in Florida, Arizona, and Oregon.  Arizona has banned veal crates as well.

Please consider donating to the campaign.  The opposition has already raised millions of dollars to try to defeat this common sense animal welfare initiative.  If you would like to learn more or are interested in gathering endorsements for the campaign or reaching out to the public, please visit www.yesonprop2.org.