Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Embarks on Video Tour of California, Illuminating the Truth Behind Factory Farming

Farm Sanctuary Video Truck Heads First to Southern California in Support of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act

Orland, Calif. - April 21, 2008 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, has embarked on the Truth Behind Factory Farming Tour using an innovative educational tool - a truck outfitted with 80 inch video screens on three sides. Farm Sanctuary has taken its undercover video investigations on tour to raise public awareness about the cruelties inherent on factory farms and to encourage people to take action to end farm animal abuse.

The Farm Sanctuary video truck has initiated its tour in southern California in support of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which was recently certified for the November 4, 2008 state ballot. If passed, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act would eliminate some of the most intensely restrictive confinement practices in the farm animal industry - veal crates for calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for breeding pigs. This initiative would affect the lives of more than 20 million animals living in California.

Farm Sanctuary Director of Campaigns Julie Janovsky emphasized the importance of the Truth Behind Factory Farming Tour for public education of industrial farming issues and campaigns such as the California ballot initiative. She states, "When cruel and egregious practices are exposed to public scrutiny people respond fervently to the call for compassion. When people see a pig confined in a gestation crate, neurotically biting at the bars, unable to turn around, or take more than a step, it has a profound visceral effect on those viewing the cruelty. They know it's inherently wrong and they want it to stop."

A groundswell of public concern for animals raised for food in this country has resulted in recent successes including the passage of anti-confinement laws in Florida, Arizona, Oregon, and legislation now awaiting the governor's signature in Colorado. The Truth Behind Factory Farming Tour aims to continue the momentum created by these successes while making various stops throughout California over the next few months to educate the public about broad animal protection, environmental and public health concerns created by industrialized farming.

Upcoming Truth Behind Factory Farming Tour Stops:

When: Monday, April 21; 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Ventura Downtown Theatre, 555 E. Main St., Ventura, CA

When: Tuesday, April 22; 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Karpeles Manuscript Library, 21 W. Anapamu St., Floor 2, Santa Barbara, CA

When: Saturday, May 3; 12 - 8 p.m. for Farm Sanctuary's California Country Hoe Down
Where: Farm Sanctuary, 19080 Newville Road, Orland, CA

When: Monday, May 5; 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Marin Humane Society, 171 Bel Marin Keyes Blvd., Novato, CA

When: Tuesday, May 6; 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: San Francisco SPCA, 2500 16th Street, San Francisco, CA

More Truth Behind Factory Farming Tour stops can be found at farmsanctuary.org, and more information on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act can be found at humanecalifornia.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.