| Rina Deych, RN |
| | 10/22/09 at 08:09 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Dear Friends,
I know we have discussed this issue before, but the problem is getting worse, with more and more of these places opening up around the city.
I'm going to post (below) a message that someone sent to me on Facebook, with the hopes that Karen Davis and others might have some ideas about how we can shut these hell holes down. I am particularly disturbed to learn about these two places, because I live in the area and was not even aware of them.
I'll refer Todd, the person who sent me the plea, to this forum, so that he can read the responses and connect with like-minded activists.
Thank you all for your compassion,
Rina Deych
Here is Todd's message:
October 22 at 6:10pm Dear Rina,
I am writing because I saw your name attached to
a campaign on behalf of living animals that are being
sold for consumption in poultry markets.
Two such of these markets are in my neighborhood in Brooklyn:
Fort Hamilton Live Poultry
3902 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
Brooklyn, NY 11218
(718) 972-2353
Q Q Poultry Market Inc
874 39th St
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 633-8822
A quick Google search shows that there are
thousands of these establishments in and
around New York City.
This week I was walking by and looked in the door.
I don't have to tell you that the conditions are appalling.
Giant birds are crammed together into cages. Those
cages are stacked from the floor to the ceiling and
go all the way to the back of the store.
I don't enter these stores as I feel like I might
cry or scream or vomit. I can only imagine what
is going on behind the scenes in such places.
I phoned the NYC ASPCA and they told me that
there was no recourse unless they were domesticated animals.
I then phoned 311 (NYC government information) and was
told again that there was no agency to investigate animal
cruelty for animals meant for consumption.
Please tell me what I can do to try and alleviate this
suffering and cruelty which is taking place just around
the corner from my home.
It's really upsetting and shocking to me that such
things can occur in a modern 21st century city like New York.
I am very, very appreciative of the work you
are doing on behalf of animals.
Thanks very much for your time,
(name witheld until he chooses to identify himself) |
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| Suzanne Leaphart RN CWS |
| | 10/22/09 at 09:03 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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| I see that another nurse is commenting on this barbaric trend. One feels overwhelmed and in a way helpless, in the face of our horrendously cruel species. My focus has been on canine, feline, equine, primate, and farm mammal rights and rescue; recent years have brought the plight of our feathered colleagues to the foreground as well. Anyone who eats meat or birds from these criminal (industrial) sources (or at all, frankly) are destined to suffer from some sort of boomerang effect. I try to educate people one by one about what they are eating and promoting when they buy "chicken" or any of the other "meats". What else can one do to help, on a very stressed income? Education may be the only way, but it depends on a living consciousness to receive information - how do you teach compassion to "biped" humans who have been brainwashed to be totally self absorbed and disconnected from others through television etc??? And this is here in the US. Try travelling abroad and see what is out there - it is enough to make me curl up in a ball and wait for whatever is next. |
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| Lisa | |
| Asha |
| | 10/22/09 at 09:29 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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Hi,
Just a thought:
The economics of the consumer market is a good place to start the work of first reducing and then eliminating mass production of poultry.
1. As Ford started 'economies of scale' it has become the standard for almost all industries to make the most profit with the least cost. That is they deal with $ and cents and not the moral responsibilities of human species. Machinery has replaced human labor to get the company's product to the market and sell in the shortest time possible. Some spoilage is built into the prices. This market is mostly in middle to lower income neighbourhoods.
2. While educating the targeted markets in point #1, is it possible to train some of the unemployed (in those neighbourhoods) to become entrepreneurs in providing fresh chicken to the local customers?
3. If an organization can be formed for this purpose, perhaps it can grow to a national level to challenge the automated processed chicken industry. It might take 5-10 years or even less. This was the way of living, more than century ago, until we wanted everything 'yesterday'!
Best Wishes
Asha |
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| Asha |
| | 10/22/09 at 09:31 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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| OK. Looks like Lisa was posting at the same time that I was. I need to check out all the options available. |
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| Arlene Steinberg |
| | 10/23/09 at 01:17 AM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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Rina, you are a most compassionate and intelligent person - the world needs more people like you (although my personal opinion is the world needs less people in general!).
I suppose educating people is the only way to really get them to wake up from their delusional, self-occupied way of life. Whenever I go to any business, service or shop, I take a bunch of flyers about a particular animal issue with me and I find ways to leave them: if there is a public restroom, each stall will be left with reading material; if I'm in a doctors office, each magazine will have an additional "insert", or if I'm in a clothing store, I 'll put some folded flyers in anything with pockets. Wherever I go, my flyers are left somewhere. I I leave 100 flyers and ONE mind and heart is touched, that person will start to think....and talk to other friends and family and somewhere a candle is lit in the darkness.
Another option is public access television. Most cities have at least one station that is for the public to use on any issue. You can contact the station in your area and find out when they can give you time, and speak on this issue.
I am always amazed at the wilful stupidity of the human race. I was just out to dinner with my own family a few weeks ago and we were talking about how I'm moving into vegetarianism. My one cousin ordered veal and when I was explaining about the horrors of factory farming and how people are working to affect change, he actually said "Well, I like to think that the animals are treated decently...." I just stared at him. Some people are horrified to learn what really goes on and of those, some will be motivated to make changes, others will feel bad, but won't be moved enough to change and others have no idea what is really going on and don't want to be ediucated because then they would have to make a choice and they don't want to do that.
I think it will be a slow process, but over time, change can happen if enough material is circulated. The internet and the undercover investigations get the truth out. Also, what REALLY needs to happen is to get laws enacted that protect birds and other animals in the food industry.
Rina, God bless you, dear, you are a one-woman miracle. We need to get you a posse to go around your area and just spread those flyers around!!
Arlene
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| Holly |
| | 10/23/09 at 10:27 AM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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I understand how this person feels about these places. I live in Arkansas, where there are a few of these chicken factories. Sometimes, while going to work, I end up behind one of those 18 wheelers carrying chickens. They are stacked high, and these poor chickens are so gramped in there, I am surprised they can even breathe. Something does need to be done about these places. A little more humane way of transportation, and a more Humane way to process. I no longer eat chicken, for a lot of reasons, but the way they are treated, makes me sick to my stomach. I plan of writing those companies that you posted, maybe they may get the hint. |
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| Wendy |
| | 10/23/09 at 11:21 AM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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Being a nature-lover, I will not eat any meat if I've seen it be slaughtered. I was just wondering: could beans provide the same protein that meat can? I can't stand to look at anything being killed, even pests like mosquitos, flies, or anything. I have 11 birds, 1 turtle, and 4 fish, and I never abuse them and torture them. Why can't people just eat beans for protein? Why must they kill animals? Why must animals be the ones to die a horrible doom?
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| Amy |
| | 10/23/09 at 03:21 PM | Reply with quote | #9 |
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The way to get people involved is to alert the media. Can you imagine what a photo layout in the Daily News or the New York Post would do - and how many people it would reach - and how many would be totally replused by what they were reading and the photos??????????
Also get hold of PETA - I don't always agree with their policies, but right now we need all the ally's we can get behind this and stop the slaughter - or at least let these poor creatures give up their lives as painlessly as possible and in humane living conditions.
I was born in Brooklyn a long time ago and I can slightly remember my mother going to buy fresh killed chickens - I would have hoped that within the last 50+ years things might have improved for animal quality of live.
I live in upstate New York now and can't really help physically - but please try to contact media and get the word out. There are many animals lovers who will rally to a cause to help these defenseless chickens.
Amy
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| David |
| | 10/23/09 at 03:51 PM | Reply with quote | #10 |
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Quote: Originally Posted by WendyBeing a nature-lover, I will not eat any meat if I've seen it be slaughtered. I was just wondering: could beans provide the same protein that meat can? I can't stand to look at anything being killed, even pests like mosquitos, flies, or anything. I have 11 birds, 1 turtle, and 4 fish, and I never abuse them and torture them. Why can't people just eat beans for protein? Why must they kill animals? Why must animals be the ones to die a horrible doom?
If you click on the PDF booklet, Life Can Be Beautiful - Go Vegan! on this web page - http://www.upc-online.org/recipes/ and scroll down to page 12, there's a short write-up about protein and calcium. All plants have, and essentially are, protein, e.g., beans, lentils, nuts, grains, chickpeas, fruits and vegetables. The average American diet contains too much protein leading to kidney disease, osteoporosis and other health problems. Excess protein turns to fat and causes people to lose calcium through their urine, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Being forced to process excess protein day after day for years wears down the kidneys. A varied vegan diet is much healthier than an animal-based diet. |
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| Maria Chanda |
| | 10/23/09 at 04:25 PM | Reply with quote | #11 |
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Really this is no different than what has been going on for decades with meat that we buy in the market. We see the neat package, but not where it came from, and how.
I was a vegetarian for 4 years because I was boycotting factory farming, but I got sick of it as i feel my boycott was just not enough, and was not changing anything. i would go veg again in a heartbeat if there were enough of us to make it matter.
As far as protien, someone had asked, you get enough if you eat a good diet of veggies and drink some soy or fortified rice milk. If you are Vegan, then you really have to worry about B-12, not protien. The protien thing is way over rated, Americans get too much really. A variety of veggies, and yes, beans, peanut butter, cheese, etc. have enough for us.
That is another issue, the milk and eggs. I pay extra to get it from suppliers who are cage free and free roaming. Think about the torture of the milk and egg industry as well.
just my two cents.
Blessings!
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| Mark Caponigro |
| | 10/23/09 at 04:31 PM | Reply with quote | #12 |
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Todd wrote:
<<
I don't enter these stores as I feel like I might
cry or scream or vomit.
>>
Yes, right. Vomiting on the floor right in front of the cash register might be a useful tactic now and again.
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| sarah |
| | 10/23/09 at 05:59 PM | Reply with quote | #13 |
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We've been through this before and keep going in the same direction. PETA won't help unless there's video and actual evidence of abuse, sickness, etc. The ASPCA will send an inspector if they have time, and will tell you to stay out of the place as it is a slaughtering house and humane rules don't apply to animals (farm) going to slaughter. The NY Dept of Agriculture will send an inspector but you need to write a letter and document abuses, disease etc. They may or may not let the market owners know- announced vs unannounced inspections - they are coming. There are very basic laws that cover these poor creatures including having water and food but not in the 24 hours prior to them being slaughtered.
The best way to approach it is to show disease in these hovels. Again, a video is the best way to get attention.
I submitted a link to photos I took a year ago showing diseased and crippled birds in 2 slaughtering houses in my neighborhood but nobody reacted and it ended up being a 1 person endeavor. At this point, the best way is to work with groups like UPC and others who have resources.
It would be great if the Daily News or Post would do a feature on these markets showing the real conditions and why these helpless beings have no rights as dogs or cats do under Federal and State laws.
Sarah
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| Rina Deych, RN |
| | 10/23/09 at 07:31 PM | Reply with quote | #14 |
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To the person who said she stopped being vegetarian because she felt there aren't enough people doing to make a difference, that's precisely the point. Now, since you've stopped, there is one less. It has to start somewhere. It's exactly that excuse (among other non-rational ones) that fosters blissful ignorance and lulls people into status-quo apathy.
I am sure I am the only vegan in my hospital. Yet, I did a vegan table there last March (http://rrrina.com/vegout2009.htm  , and plan to do another one next year. I also did one at Sean Casey's July adoption event ( http://rrrina.com/seancaseyvegantablejuly2009.htm , and plan to do another one next weekend, at Sean's Halloween block party.
For the people who are worried that a plant-based diet isn't adequate, I encourage you to visit the pages listed above. There you'll find links to most of the literature I distribute at the tables.
To Maria Chanda:
"Humane" milk, eggs, and meat are a myth. Please see: http://www.humanemyth.org/
Even at cage-free establishments, male baby chicks are either thrown out ALIVE into huge garbage bags, to be squashed and suffocated to death, or dropped ALIVE head-first into grinding machines. Some places, to save money on feed, even feed the dead chick's ground bodies back to the mothers.
Supporting the milk industry supports the veal industry. In order to give milk, a cow must have a baby. That baby is ripped away from the first or second day of life. If it is a male, it is sold to the veal industry, where it will live a horrible life of pain and suffering. You can read more about the milk industry here: http://www.notmilk.com/
Also: http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/undercover_investigation.html
And here's a video from Land O' Lakes: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2515
To Arlene:
Thank you for your thoughtful post. You are right - education is the key. The only reason these hell holes exists is because there is a demand for meat.
I became a nurse 30 years ago because I can't stand to see anyone suffer without doing something to help.
I became a vegetarian 25 years for the same reason, after seeing the Animals Film, which depicted horrific scenes from slaughterhouses, factory farms, and laboratories.
While I went veg for ethical reasons, the potential health and environmental benefits ( http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Livestock%20and%20Climate%20Change.pdf are profound (again, please see above links to the literature I offered at my vegan tables).
Switching to a plant-based diet is better for human health, the planet, and (obviously) the animals.
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Thank you to all for your links and suggestions regarding these local torture chambers. Kudos to Sara who had the courage to go and capture some of these atrocities on film. I believe that's what we need to do, and, as people have suggested, submit these to the press.
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| Jo |
| | 10/24/09 at 05:30 AM | Reply with quote | #15 |
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If anyone has the stomach for it, photos need to be taken of a number of these places and sent to PETA (cidinfo@PETA.org). This is the animal rescue office of PETA. Also contact the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY. This is truly a tragedy and disgrace. Most farm animals live in these conditions and are generally starved for three days before they are slaughtered. One of the best things is leafleting. It reaches hundreds of people at a time. I do it for Vegan Outreach. It is the most effective way to reach people and have them walk away with information that they can read and, hopefully, pass on. We can't rescue animals one at a time. A great, insightful book is The Animal Activist's Handbook. It helps with solutions to these incredibly horrifying problems.
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