Wayne Pacelle: Making sure food animals are treated humanely

Californians have a history of supporting animal protection when it gets onto their ballots. In fact, all five times measures relating to animal welfare have been placed on the statewide ballot, voters have sided with animals, helping make California the most animal-friendly state in the nation.

All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food. Volunteers will soon start circulating petitions to qualify a ballot measure ensuring that farm animals aren’t locked in cages on factory farms and have sufficient space to engage in natural behaviors. This petition will build on important existing statutes, and assure that eggs, pork and veal sold in the state do not come from farms inside or outside California that treat the animals in miserable ways.

I hope Californians will sign the petition, and consider joining our campaign to circulate petitions. If enacted, the measure will prevent animal cruelty, and it just may protect their families from foodborne illness too. Visit PreventCrueltyCA.com to get involved.

This story was originally published September 25, 2017 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Wayne Pacelle: Making sure food animals are treated humanely."