Look on the Bright Side... (There is a Bright Side!)

Well, it's official. In Switzerland's animal rights referendum, 70 percent of voters voted "no" on a measure that would assign lawyers to protect abused animals. If you do the math, that means that 30 percent of voters supported it.

It was probably too good to be true.

But when you think about it, it's amazing that such a referendum even made it to the ballot. It speaks so highly of the Swiss.

No point in getting discouraged. Switzerland still has extremely tough laws that protect animals. Just the fact that its citizens were able to vote on such a referendum sets an important precedent. The next time a similar referendum comes up - either in Switzerland or a different country - it won't be quite so unusual.

Meanwhile, those who inflict excessive cruelty on animals face very stiff punishments in Switzerland. Of how many countries in the world can that be said?

(Note: Antoine Goetschel, attorney and Zurich's leading animal advocate, is pictured here with a friend.)

Animal Abuser Registry Long Overdue

California may soon have an Animal Abuser Registry that publicly lists the names of men and women who abuse animals. Bring it on! This would set a much-needed precedent in the battle to reduce (and hopefully one day end) animal abuse. A bill was introduced last month by California's Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez to create the registry. Said Florez: "We think California is primed for this kind of a bill. We've progressed to the point where we as a legislature are moving in a direction of this bill, which is ultimately: How do we in essence prevent repeat offenses when it comes to cruelty to animals in the state of California?" (Source) The registry, according to Time magazine, would "make it easier for shelters and animal-adoption groups to identify people who should be allowed access to animals." (Source) California is on the right track. Let's hope other states move in a similar direction very soon.

The Possibility of a Huge Breakthrough in Ohio...

The following alert was sent out from the wonderful folks at Farm Sanctuary in New York. It's fantastic news and has the potential to be a huge breakthrough in animal rights!

If you get a chance, please visit Farm Sanctuary's Website. These people are absolute saints.

Dear friend of farm animals,



For years, Farm Sanctuary has worked with dedicated members like you to help pass some of the most important reforms in the history of the farm animal protection movement. With you by our side, we helped ban gestation crates in Florida, gestation crates and veal crates in Arizona, and, for the first time in U.S. history, gestation crates, veal crates and battery cages with the recent landslide victory of Proposition 2 in California – the nation’s largest agricultural state.

Standing together with you, we continued to build on the momentum gained from these successes as anti-confinement legislation was enacted in more states across the U.S., including Oregon, Colorado, Maine, and Michigan. Now, we have our sights set on passing the most sweeping initiative yet in Ohio, and we need your support to make it happen.

Over the next five months, we will be working to collect 600,000 signatures in the Buckeye State for a ballot initiative that will:

End the use of cruel factory farm confinement systems for tens of thousands of veal calves, 170,000 breeding sows and roughly 27 million egg-laying hens who are denied even the ability to turn around or stretch their limbs.

Stop the slaughter of downed cattle for human consumption, and consequently bring an end to the practice of dragging, prodding, pushing, and beating these sick, weak or injured non-ambulatory animals to move them to slaughterhouse kill floors.

Ban the use of inhumane euthanasia practices that cause tremendous suffering for sick and injured animals prior to their deaths.

Never before has one ballot initiative proposed to do so much to end cruelty to farm animals. But the road ahead will not be easy. Factory farm interests will use every means available to them to maintain the status quo and continue engaging in these egregiously cruel practices. Ohio farm animals are counting on us to stop them, so we must win this fight!

Please find out what you can do now to help us with efforts on the ground. If you live elsewhere, please send this alert on our Ohio initiative to any friends, family and colleagues you have in the state and help us build the network and team we need for a successful campaign to pass this measure.

It is only through your support that we are able to create meaningful change and bring relief to suffering farm animals state by state. Thank you for your dedication and compassion. We look forward to making history with you once again!

Yours for farm animals,



Gene Baur


Co-Founder and President
Farm Sanctuary