Factory farming, an industrialized method of raising livestock, causes immense suffering for animals, poses risks to human health, and wreaks havoc on the environment. Animals in factory farms endure lives of extreme confinement, often crammed into cages or pens where they cannot move freely. They are subjected to painful mutilations, such as beak trimming and tail docking, and are denied any semblance of a natural life. These conditions lead to chronic stress, illness, and immense suffering.

For humans, factory farming is a public health concern. The routine use of antibiotics in livestock contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making infections harder to treat. Moreover, these operations create breeding grounds for zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans, as seen with outbreaks of swine flu and bird flu.

  Dairy industry animal cruelty The environmental impact is equally dire. Factory farming is a leading cause of deforestation, air and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, which accelerate climate change. Manure runoff from these farms pollutes rivers and oceans, contributing to dead zones that devastate marine life.

The Humane Foundation advocates for an end to factory farming through the promotion of plant-based diets and sustainable, humane farming methods. Reducing reliance on factory farming is essential to protect animal welfare, safeguard human health, and preserve the planet for future generations.