As we celebrate Animal Outlook's 30th anniversary, I'm reflecting on a groundbreaking victory that your unwavering support made possible — one that changed the landscape of justice for farmed animals forever.
Through your commitment to our mission of exposing truth and inspiring change, we achieved something unprecedented: the first-ever convictions for cruelty to chickens raised for meat in the United States. Our investigation into a facility in Virginia contracted to Tyson Foods revealed birds being punched and kicked by workers, swung around by their wings and thrown across sheds, crushed to death by transport crates and run over by forklifts, and shoved and slammed into transport cages.
The release of this investigation led to 10 employees being fired and nine employees, including the owner of the facility, being convicted on 22 counts of animal cruelty — a testament to the power of our collective voice.
Images captured during the undercover investigation
Left: A chicken is grabbed roughly by their wing
Right: A worker shoves a chicken into a transport cage
This victory didn't happen overnight. It took our investigator's courage, our legal team's persistence, and supporters like you who believe in our mission. The then Virginia Attorney General himself acknowledged that these convictions sent a "clear, strong signal" about taking crimes against animals seriously — a message that resonates throughout the industry today.
But our work isn't done. Every day, millions of animals still need our support, our investigations, and our legal advocacy. As we mark three decades of fighting for animals, we're asking for your continued support to fuel the next chapter of our work.
Ways You Can Help Today:
Make a donation to support our legal advocacy work
Take our VegPledge and embrace compassionate eating
Share the work you support with your network to inspire others
Your gift of $30 — one dollar for each year of our journey — can help us continue breaking new ground in animal protection law and creating lasting change for animals.
The conviction of these employees wasn't just a legal victory — it was a watershed moment that proved what's possible when we stand together. It showed that no corporation is too big to be held accountable, and no animal's suffering should go unnoticed.
Thank you for being part of this historic moment and for your continued support as we forge ahead. Together, we're not just fighting for animals — we're winning.
For justice and compassion,
Ben Williamson
Executive Director
P.S. Make your anniversary gift today and help continue making history for animals. Every dollar counts toward creating a more compassionate world.
As a non-profit organization, Animal Outlook relies on donations from caring, generous people like you. Every dollar matters. Your support makes a world of difference to farmed animals.
