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Andrew Skowron has been an animal rights activist for over 20 years, and for many years he's been documenting the reality of animals in factory farms. The places he visits and the images he sees on a daily basis are unbearable for most people, but Andrew keeps coming back and fighting even harder for the world to see the animals for who they truly are - friends, not food.

For the new decade, Andrew wrote a letter to everybody who loves animals and wants to see them free and happy.

Andrew

More info: andrewskowron.org | Instagram | Facebook

#1

A Fox Making An Eye Contact During An Intervention On A Fur Farm

A Fox Making An Eye Contact During An Intervention On A Fur Farm

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"Hi, my name is Andrew. I've been working as a farm animal photographer for many years. Today, I want to ask you a favor for the new decade."

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"Every year, I visit numerous factory farms. Very often people don't want to look at my photos, not because they are bad, but because they show the reality our society doesn't want to see. We don't want to see the pain, the neglect, the suffering. We don't want to acknowledge the terrible crime we, as humans, committed towards the animals. And I get it, trust me. I know how difficult it is to see another living creature hurt. I've been to more factory farms than I can count, and the things I've seen will haunt me forever."

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#5

A Sleeping Chinchilla On A Fur Farm

A Sleeping Chinchilla On A Fur Farm

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MacDudu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a miserable existence before they are finally killed for their skins

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"Calves crying for their mothers, as they are taken away from them right after birth. Exhausted, exploited laying hens, practically featherless, barely breathing. Broiler chickens too heavy to lift their own bodies, unable to get to water or food. Minks and foxes going crazy in tiny cages of fur farms, with injuries to their paws and bodies. Quails kept in cages so small and dirty, they couldn't even dream of spreading their wings. Piglets having their tails cut off, teeth clipped, castrated with no anesthesia, screaming for help. Sows kept in farrowing crates, where they can't even turn around. Geese transported to slaughter in 40-degree heat."

#6

Motherhood In Factory Farms, Pig Farm

Motherhood In Factory Farms, Pig Farm

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Aaron Lindberg
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these cages prevent the sow from rolling over and killing piglets

Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, they put them in such tight conditions she would kill them because she's in a super confined space, basically commodified. IF she were on a normal farm, this would not be an issue.

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Uncommon Boston
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a mother pig rolls over, she can easily crush her babies. I have seen similar equipment used on a small organic farm.

Taras O
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is normal, unfortunately, the piglets are separated from their mother so that they don't get crushed.

Charlotte Cottrell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In reality, sows have to be separated from the piglets so that they don't roll over on and kill them. But, this is done with a large board and not a steal cage.

JayJayKay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor mama pigs, they will never see the daylight until they get onto the slaughterhouse truck. If they live until then. So sad! If they were dogs, everyone would protest!

Cori
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I no longer buy pork. I don't want to legitimize something this horrible by paying money for it. No living thing should have to spend their life like this.

Claire
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about other animals? Cows? Chickens? Sheep? Turkey? Their suffering is just as legitimate as pigs' suffering.

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Chyppa Homer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But why, you greedy f***s ? Let the friggin pig move at least

Brenda Pereira
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Notice the dead piglets just thrown to the side on the left.

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#7

Pigs Consoling Each Other, Pig Farm

Pigs Consoling Each Other, Pig Farm

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Ronald odom
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do they know they at consoling each other. I wish people had this kind of love for their fellow humans.

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"I've been to hell and I keep coming back. I get it - it's difficult to watch. But we cannot turn a blind eye on the way animals are treated on factory farms anymore. We cannot pretend they are not there, just because we can't hear their screams from our apartments. It's time to wake up. It's time to make an uprising."

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#9

A Piglet Having Its Tail Cut Off Without Anesthesia

A Piglet Having Its Tail Cut Off Without Anesthesia

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Kelley Shy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teeth are cut because they are super sharp and while nursing, they will cause damage while nursing. This leads to a huge increase in mama pig getting an infection and possibly sick or worse, die. The piglets will also fight each other over where to nurse, causing injuries that can produce life long struggles...like losing an eye etc. Teeth cutting, tail docking, and castration are all done without anesthesia because...pigs do HORRIBLE on anesthesia. The risk of the pig dying while under the influence of anesthesia, for a procedure that takes less than 5mins, is not worth it...basic risk benefit analysis. The procedures are done sterile and quickly as possible...for the sake of the pig. They are back to doing Pig Things in less than 5minutes from being let go after procedure. Under anesthesia, the recover is hours and dying is a huge possibility.

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"This next decade, I am asking you to be more open-minded. To do your research. I am asking you not to skip that slaughterhouse video. I am asking you to live according to your values - if you really love animals, help them. Don't eat them. Support animal rights activists, fight for the better world with us. Open your mind, eyes, and heart. The nightmare we created for the animals is real and difficult to accept, but if we unite and act now, as a community - we will win this fight and make this world a better place for the animals. And for ourselves."

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#10

Broiler Chicken, Unable To Move

Broiler Chicken, Unable To Move

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Laura Thai
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

meat chickens are designed for this unfortunately. generally people slaughter them a bit before they splay out. Eventually they are too heavy. I raised meat birds. They lived a happy life until they died.

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#11

A Piglet Screaming In Pain, Pig Farm

A Piglet Screaming In Pain, Pig Farm

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pigs scream at literally everything they dislike, its their main defense mechanism. There is no guarantee this one is in pain rather than just unhappy

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"I believe in you. I believe your heart is stronger than your taste buds. I believe you don't want animals to suffer. I believe we're in this together. Let's make this new decade a new era."

#12

Terrified Fox, Waiting To Be Rescued, Fur Farm

Terrified Fox, Waiting To Be Rescued, Fur Farm

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Brenda Pereira
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope he got rescued. There is no reason to wear fur in a world where it can be made from fabrics that are hard to tell from the real thing. What benefit is there in owning real fur?

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#13

Determining The Sex Of The Chickens

Determining The Sex Of The Chickens

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Slune
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm only buying eggs where they don't shred the masculine chicks. Costs a bit more but makes me feeling better.

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#14

Dirty And Exhausted Pig On A Pig Farm In Poland

Dirty And Exhausted Pig On A Pig Farm In Poland

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Erling Brendefur
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how pigs look. It is not possible to tell if this pig is sad or not from this picture.

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#15

A Pig Breathing Fresh Air For The First Time

A Pig Breathing Fresh Air For The First Time

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Ronald odom
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) there is no context to show where they are at. 2) carbon dioxide and oxygen are colorless so you can not tell how fresh it is. 3) if they did not get fresh air they would be dead.

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#17

Pigs Going To Slaughter In An Overcrowded Truck

Pigs Going To Slaughter In An Overcrowded Truck

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Charlese Bonca
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look like they just came from a fair. I can tell because of the blue stripes on the back.

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#19

A Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland

A Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland

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The Girl on Fire
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People buy raccoon fur? And fox fur? Why. It's not only inhumane and stupid, it's ugly too

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#21

An Activist Holding A One-Day-Old Broiler Chicken

An Activist Holding A One-Day-Old Broiler Chicken

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't rescue broilers. They are genetically bred to get so heavy so fast they break legs, end up with deformed beaks etc. They cannot have quality of life beyond 6-8 weeks

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#22

A Crying Cow On The Way To Slaughterhouse

A Crying Cow On The Way To Slaughterhouse

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Charlese Bonca
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Animals don't shed tears due to sadness. It's to clean their eyes. Just like dogs and cats and pigs and lambs.

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#24

Laboratory Rabbit

Laboratory Rabbit

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The Random Merp
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's so much wrong in this picture! Bunnies need a carpeted flooring, or else they'll get feet pains with their overly fluffy feet bottoms. Bunny has nothing to do, either, and nowhere to hide!

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#25

A Terrified Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland

A Terrified Raccoon Dog, Fur Farm In Poland

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#26

Calves In Igloo Booths, Dairy Farm

Calves In Igloo Booths, Dairy Farm

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Lauren Misek
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually pretty nice compared to the single sheet uninsulated plywood calf shacks I've seen in my local rural areas. It's very sad but these little guys have it better than most.

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#27

Calves Separated From Their Mothers And Each Other, Dairy Farm

Calves Separated From Their Mothers And Each Other, Dairy Farm

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#28

Pigs Going To Slaughter, Trying To Breathe Fresh Air For The First Time

Pigs Going To Slaughter, Trying To Breathe Fresh Air For The First Time

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Kelley Shy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To assume that the pigs are "struggling to get fresh air" is absurd. Pigs are like dogs in a lot of ways. They are very curious in nature, have great hearing, and incredible sense of smell...for rooting out food that is underneath the soil. Pigs will always smell to get a sense of their surroundings, when their vision is blocked by something...just like dogs. If you have ever seen a pig pile (where all the pigs lay all over each other while they sleep), their snouts are crammed quite often, which they don't care...otherwise they would move to a more comfortable position.

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#29

Pig Screaming In Pain

Pig Screaming In Pain

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L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, just screaming for attention. Or just because they want to. You know, because they do that....

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#30

A Calf On A Dairy Farm, Kept In An Igloo Booth

A Calf On A Dairy Farm, Kept In An Igloo Booth

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Erling Brendefur
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The calf is happy, waiting for its next meal. That is what most of them are all about. That and sleeping. Like human babies. 🙂

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Note: this post originally had 63 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.