2. Farmed Animal Investigations
Santa Cruz County California
Understanding species specific farmed animal
needs (food, space, social lives)
Cattle, sheep/goats, chickens/turkeys and
rabbits
Large scale investigations and seizures
Politics surrounding farmed animals
3. Farmed Animal investigations
Check State Laws - some states have agriculture
exemptions
Contact USDA or State Veterinarian - Joint
Inspections
Do your own research on farmed animal care
Have a trusted farmed animal expert on speed dial
(vet, sanctuary, etc)
Abuse, Neglect or Cruelty
4. Cattle - Ideal Life
Average lifespan is 18 to 22 years
Water - 10 to 20 gallons a day (dependent on
weather conditions)
Ruminants (stomachs have 4 chambers) - Hay
or pasture grazing ideal (2% of body weight
per day)
Remove objects/poison plants from pasture
5. Cattle - Ideal Life
Herd animals
Grazing (5-10 acres per cow), rotating pastures
Well ventilated barn to protect from weather
and temperature
Routine health checks and hoof trimmings
6. Cattle - life on a feedlot
Overcrowded conditions
Poor diet (high energy grains)
Poor or no pasture
Lack of routine health care
Little or no protection from the elements
Live in own urine and feces
15. Sheep / Goats - ideal life
Ruminants - 8 hours grazing per day
Average life span 12-14 years
Minerals (no copper for sheep)
Fresh Clean Water Always Available
Pasture - Clover and Mixed Grasses
Sturdy shelter
16. Sheep / Goats - life on a feedlot
Similar to cows- overcrowded, lack of routine
health care and hoof trimmings, poor pasture,
etc
Same basic medical issues as cows
21. Feedlot
Owner charged with multiple counts of animal
neglect, including having a downed animal at
the facility
Convicted, but only had to pay a fine
Facility still in operation
23. Chickens / turkeys - ideal life
Average lifespans range from 3-8 years
Commercial grains promote fast growth
Chickens- ideal to feed whole corn, oats and
sunflower seeds, greens and chicken scratch
Turkeys - ideal to feed chicken scratch (cracked
corn, oats and wheat) with added sunflower
seeds, Timothy hay pellets and greens
24. Chickens / turkeys - ideal life
Shelter should be predator proof and include
nesting boxes
Clean fresh water
Should have space to walk around, hunt for
bugs, open wings, etc
25. Chickens / Turkeys
life as a commodity
Debeaked
Overcrowded conditions
Lack of routine health maintenance
Poor nutrition
Bumblefoot
29. Rabbits - Ideal Life
Average lifespan 5 to 7 years
Fresh water and salt licks
Unlimited fresh grass or Timothy hay, a variety
of fresh vegetables and limited pellets
Love to dig, chew, jump and run
Straw shavings and nesting box
36. Hatcheries
Cal-Cruz Hatchery, Santa Cruz, CA
Approximately 4-5 times a year chicks arrive
dead at destinations
Undercover Investigation by AR group
Santa Cruz Shelter Investigation
43. Hatcheries
Report Filed with District Attorney’s Office
DA declined to file charges
AR group sued Hatchery under Business and
Professions Code
Hatchery forced to go out of business
38 ducks rescued
53. custom sheep slaughter
Charged with State Code for illegal slaughter
(did not render animal insensible to pain)
Went to trial
California State Veterinarian testified against
the Animal Shelter
Slaughterhouse claimed religious exemption
54. Large Scale Seizures
Document with wipe off board and
photographs
Document animals with collars or wound
spray
Identify each animal by letter or number
Document their daily recovery while in your
care (weight, photos, stools, etc)
55. Lessons Learned
Society DOES NOT view farmed animals in
the same ways as dogs and cats
You need to understand your local political
climate
You must be ready to be personally attacked
You will be forging new ground to provide
legal protections for ALL animals
56. Lessons Learned
Farmed animals form close familial and friendship bonds
with each other
Farmed animals want safety and freedom from suffering
Farmed animals have personalities, feel pain and can
suffer mental abuse
Farmed animals deserve to have Animal Control Officers
on their side
It will not be easy for you or your Agency
57. Animal Control Officers
Animal Control Officers MUST begin enforcing laws
for farmed animals
Animal Control Officers ARE the front line protectors
of animals in their jurisdictions
We can work cooperatively with:
USDA- Animal and Plant Health Inspection service
(APHIS)
State Department of Agriculture
