A new animal cruelty index reveals the U.S. is seriously lagging behind when it comes to animal welfare. Out of the 50 top animal-producing countries evaluated by the Australian nonprofit Voiceless, the U.S. ranked second worst.
“Factory farming causes the greatest suffering to the largest number of animals globally,” according to Voiceless. “Sadly, the number of animals slaughtered worldwide continues to grow at a rapid pace, driven by increased consumption of animal products.”
Animal cruelty index’s three components:
The interactive ranking system, dubbed Voiceless Animal Cruelty Index (VACI), examined three factors to determine which counties have the most work to do to improve farm animals’ quality of life:
- The meat consumption of each country on a per capita basis. Looking at this factor alone, Australia scored the worst, consuming the most meat per person, with the U.S. following closely behind.
- The number of animals slaughtered in each country (adjusting for treatment and protections). In this category, the U.S. again scored second worst, slightly above Belarus. In 2016, around 4.6 billion animals were slaughtered in the U.S.
- The laws and protections that exist in each country that help promote animal welfare. The U.S. managed to pull their rank up slightly in this category to number 20 out of the 50 countries. The countries with the worst protections were Iran and Belarus.
Picture via Pexels, CC0.
Humans need to move away from meat-based diets and embrace plant-based foods
The last area of evaluation actually drew from a similar index – the Animal Protection Index, which focused solely on government laws and protections, education, and government cooperation with stakeholders.
However, VACI provides added insight into how animals are actually treated by going beyond protection structures and supports by looking at how individuals consume meat and the quantity and reality of slaughter.
“Given that factory farming causes the most suffering to the largest number of animals globally, if we are to make any meaningful change to the lives of animals, it is essential that we re-think our consumption of animal products globally and encourage transitions to plant-based foods,” Voiceless’ asserts.
Luckily, there are more choices than ever before. Advances in science make meatless meat an easy substitute while access to soy and legumes — and simple recipes — make being vegan easier than ever. Canada just invested $150 million to develop plant protein to participate in the $13 billion market.
Increasing demand for meat contributes to factory farming’s cruel conditions
Picture via Pexels, CC0.
Choosing plant-based foods is more important now than ever before. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations warns that by 2050, the demand for meat will increase by 70 percent.
Although the demand is rising in developing countries, it doesn’t help that countries with a strong culture of meat consumption are over-eating. This year, the average person will eat 222.2 pounds of meat in the U.S.
To support this type of meat eating, millions of animals are subjected to horrifying conditions. Even though the U.S. has stronger welfare laws than some countries on Voiceless’ index, this is misleading. The poultry industry has few regulations and no federal regulations when it comes to slaughter, rearing, or transportation. What laws do exist can often be circumvented. Many states enact “ag-gag” or agricultural gag laws that prevent citizens from entering farms under “false pretenses” to film the farming practices. This allows meat producers to shield cruel conditions.
Although the index’s authors admit “VACI presents disturbing statistics,” they hope the ranking system, combined with a growing international consciousness, “will both inform and prove a valuable advocacy tool for the animal protection community, as well as inspire future generations to make kinder lifestyle choices.”
It’s starts with the lies in grade school. We see animals living happily on farms in children’s books. We go to the store & see meat packaged in a way that completely removes it from reality… this was once a living creature. It wasn’t until I took the time to learn the truth on my own. Factory farming IS the standard. No, we humans don’t need to eat meat every day! In fact, all of us (human/animal/the planet) would be better off cutting way back or giving up meat completely. I for one am happier & feel healthier knowing that I’m trying hard to go completely vegan (educate others along the way) while not participating in such terrible cruelties. I like animals. All animals & none deserve being treated as unfeeling objects.
I think this is horrific, shameful, insane, depravedly indifferent, cruel, unconscionable, immoral, hateful, cowardly — something is missing in our psyches to allow such brutality to animals — I want the world to go Vegan — the animals who remain will live out their lives healthy, happy and comfy with caring and loving humans.
Eating a meat base diet definitely takes a toll on your health inside and out. It ages you significantly, making you look and feel older. It is a very unhealthy diet, I have two sisters that consume meat and one has cancer, and the other is a diabetic and can barely walk. I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years and I am almost 60 years old and can run circles around both of them.
It’s truly sad and disheartening how these animals are treated, when they give up their lives so that we can enjoy a nice steak, fried chicken, or bacon, you have it. If people would stop having such a high meat-based diet, and ate more plant-based products, then not only will this terrible slaughter of farm animals decrease, but it might just help people to be a little healthier. We should add this issue to the priority list of activists.
I for one and so ashamed.
Terrible to hear of such cruelty.
Please stop cruel abuse of farm animals! This should not be occurring in a so- called civilised society!
Cruelty to animals is awful why do we treat them like this? For the supporters of animals, animal activists together we can stop this
Si cada uno de los humanos pensara un solo segundo cuántos padecimientos les espera a los animales que consume, si por un instante imaginara estar en su lugar…Es una expresión de deseo, pero ojalá algún día los hombres hagan una vida más digna sin gozar de la muerte de otro ser
vegan is the only way to end the annual holocaust
Are we all really that shocked? I am sure we have all heard how a country is judged by the way thet treat animals? So once again, are we really shocked? Only the ones that really care can try to change it.
Are we all really that shocked? I am sure we have all heard how a country is judged by the way thet treat animals? So once again, are we really shocked? Only the ones that really care can try to change it.
Well they are the world leaders in most things! Something’s however we have a choice in and cruelty is one of them. Don’t know how some people can sleep at night.
This is America’s shame along side shelters that euthanise healthy animals and Trophy hunters that are killing beautiful endangered animals. Please show some compassion America the world look up to you, but it won’t for much longer if this carries on
This is America’s shame along side shelters that euthanise healthy animals and Trophy hunters that are killing beautiful endangered animals. Please show some compassion America the world look up to you, but it won’t for much loger if this carries on
Unfortunately so shameful for the USA. However no surprise to ones who recognize the cruelty. I stopped eating meat quite a while ago and if slaughterhouses had glass walls everyone with compassion would do so as well
there just does not seem to be any reason for treating animals the way we do on factory farms of all kids and when the are killed why does it ave to be so inhumane. so so very wrong all way around. please try the Vegan life!
Working as a cashier in a grocery store, I also get to see ALL THE WASTED MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS that are thrown into the dumpster. .. Multiply this by the millions of grocery handlers and the factory farms COULD CUT BACK BY HALF OF THEIR SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS and stiil supply the demand of meat-eaters.
Why don’t churches and other religious organizations talk about this cruelty? ( an animal cruelty in general).
I thought they were supposed to have compassion…I guess not!
I’m not surprised. U.S. is a very cruel country… sadly for all animals and those of us who love them.
And sadly many so called “problems “ with animals are solved by killing them instead of working out a kind, sensible solution.
Well put.
cruel human should be punished
Horrific! — do NOT let the monsters get away with their depraved, sadistic, insane, hateful behavior toward animals! — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN! – CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY — Humans do NOT have the RIGHT to abuse & kill animals — We must ensure these depraved humans stay away from animals in every & any capacity — the cruel, sadistic suffering, the unconscionable indifference inflicted on these vulnerable & innocent animals is telling of depraved, irrational & merciless humans — (HEY! — they’re NOT stuffed animals!!) — CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY — PUNISHMENTS & PENALTIES MUST BE SEVERE!! — We do NOT want repeats of these crimes against animals — EVER!
Horrific! — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN! – CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY — Humans do NOT have the RIGHT to abuse & kill animals — We must ensure these depraved humans stay away from animals in every & any capacity — the cruel indifference inflicting sadistic, unconscionable suffering on these vulnerable & innocent animals is telling of depraved, irrational & merciless humans — (HEY! — they’re NOT stuffed animals!!) — CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY — PUNISHMENTS & PENALTIES MUST BE SEVERE!! — We do NOT want repeats of these crimes against animals — EVER!
🙁
PEOPLE ARE FOOD HOGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON’T FORESEE ANY GOOD CHANGES HAPPENING !!! ANIMALS ARE AT HUMAN NO MERCY !!!!! GOD HELP THEM ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GAVE UP MEAT A LONG TIME AGO BECAUSE OF THE PLIGHT OF ANIMALS AND THE VIDEOS I HAVE SEEN THAT HAVE COME OUT OF HORMEL FOR TREATMENT OF PIGS !!! ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE !!! VILE !! UNCONSCIONABLE !!! ALSO THE TREATMENT OF COWS !!!!! AND THE REST OF THE ANIMALS, RIGHT ON DOWN THE LINE…MAKES A PERSON SICK !!!!! THESE ANIMALS ARE LIVING, BREATHING BEINGS !!! WITH PERSONALITIES, FEELINGS, EVERYTHING. THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET, POLLUTING IT, THE OCEANS, KILLING OFF THE WILDLIFE AT AN EXCELERATED RATE, LAND AND SEA !!
This breaks my heart. I thought we were one of the better countries for animal welfare, but I Know better- never read it in print though. Our world has become a “throw away” society with little regard for any animals’ safety. It’s all about greed…the life of a vegetarian is much healthier & doesn’t cause any animal suffering. Cancer & obesity would be a smaller percentage if everyone would change their lifestyle. God bless the animals & help our society become more compassionate.
Unfortunately for the people supporting this industry, consuming meat and animal products, causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes..in fact the medical costs in the US could be cut by at least 85% if these people switched to a whole foods plant based diet..if they are too callous to do it for suffering creatures, maybe their selfish desire for health is enough to cause them to switch.
Personally i am not surprised that The US is the second cruelest, just take a good long hard look at our repulsive society. MONEY is God , corporations and business are worshiped, anything good anything pure anything worthwhile is thrown under the bus or crushed.
The US is one of the most artificial, anti-life (human and animal) , indoctrinated culture the world has ever witnessed.
Look at the death squads and genocide propagated by the US government (over 1 billion people murdered in 60 years)..it is no surprise that this is one of the cruelest nations on earth.It is a blot on the face of history.
In the USA there are anti- cruelty laws, to protect animals, in ALL 50 states. Yet, TAX DOLLARS fund and support massive animal cruelty and animal slaughter so the farmers can PROFIT from their profit-businesses of massive animal cruelty and animal slaughter. It’s been proven over, and over, and over that NOBODY needs to eat other beings to live or to be healthy. So why does a government continue to support such brutality?
Also, all who are informed and knowledgeable of the fact that humans don’t need to consume other beings for life or for health, but continue to do so, for selfish reasons, are COMPLICIT is the legal crimes.
Many want a kinder world, however, their selfish attitudes dictate an attitude of *to hell with kindness if I have to give up something I love so much!*
“In fact, if one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be cruelty,
but where a lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of
commerce, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are at
stake, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people.”
–Ruth Harrison, Animal Machines (This book was written in the 80’s)
and not only for Farm Animals…. USA is outrageous when it comes to hunting and trophy hunting and the promotion of this barbarity… like Under Armour is doing on their Under Armour Hunt page…. for those of you who do not know and buy Under Armour products…. I see this disgraceful company gaining so much popularity…and I wonder if people know what they are promoting!!!!!
Thanks for the info…will not buy under armour products.
Under armour – i’m not familiar with that name. Hope i’ve never patronized them unknowingly. But I will be sure not to ever now.
Thank you for telling us.
It’s disgusting that the country says that it exceptionalism does this. Terrible
Not necessary to eat meat or definitely as much. They are really pushing it.
Who suffers in the end the poor animals.
Does not surprise me they are the 2nd cruelest.
Look what they have as a president!
He does not have a clue or care!
I feel we must keep on keeping on until all abuse and neglect of animals is stopped.
The obvious cruelty aside, because of the appalling conditions these poor creatures are kept in I believe, and this is backed up by science, that the massive consumption of animals has led to the increase in antibiotic-resistant diseases because of the uncontrolled and haphazard overuse of antibiotics to fatten up these animals for market – and profit. And of course, because they are packed in like sardines, they are more prone to diseases themselves. I believe the future looks grim for humans as the time will come when diseases which we thought we had rid the planet of will return with a vengeance and we will have no treatment or cures. Then there is zoonosis – the passing of disease from animals to humans – e.g. ebola, CJD. Through our indiscriminate and ever-growing consumption of animal products, we are accelerating the possible extinction of the human race through diseases and global warming, largely contributed to by the toxic by-products of ruminants – farts!! Other animal waste products are polluting our underground water and rivers as these waste products, particularly from factory farming, amass at such a rate that the soil is not able to deal with it and use it as manure. The toxic gasses from both the animal urine and faeces enter the atmosphere, also causing pollution and, in areas where there is large scale factory farming, this has been proven to affect the respiratory condition of local people, causing illness amongst the most vulnerable – the young and elderly and render the drinking water undrinkable.
Before it is too late – and it may already be too late – we need a complete rethink on what we are doing to our planet and ourselves. Many scientist are now of the opinion that we have entered the Anthropocene – or 6th Extinction – this is where all mammals in particular, become extinct. Hardly surprising when you consider the treatment we have metered out to other mammals – elephants, lions, whales – most wild mammals in fact, and domesticated mammals – sheep, cattle, pigs, etc. Mostly in the name of profit as we do not need meat to survive, or rhino horn, elephant tusks, whale meat etc. The history of human inhabitation of the planet will not make pleasant reading in the future (if there is one).
Every work – so true!!!!
until the meat lobby is corrupting politicians, & until education advices are made to teach people not to eat as much meat for their health & the planet pollution, the genocide of farm animals is going to continue, i became vegan in the 80’s when information & vidéo started to inform me about the horror of meat product including milk, maybe the worse
Animal cruelty is totally unecessary , I mean this is the 21st century the last time I checked..
We should be much more advanced than we are.
China and other countries had the opportunity to improve their standards of factory farming but some of them have just perfected the cruelty!
Go vegan is the only way to ends this deplorable vileness
Shame on Australia, the U.S., Belarus abd Iran. We all need to step up to the plate. ???????????
Clean it up America. There’s no excuse for animal abuse!!!!!
Way to go America, meat eaters are the Cruelest people on the planet! Congratulations losers.
It does not surprise me that the US ranks really high on the scale of colossal animal cruelty. Our country was founded after all by Europeans eager to rush to our shores for easy profits with little to no regard for the destruction or waste they left in their wake. When land was played out or unavailable on the eastern half of the continent, they just made their way to the west. The goal was profit, to hell with the consequences. They treated people with the same disregard: the American Indians (the true “Native Americans”), the Africans brought as slaves, the Chinese brought to work the railroads, and on and on. Animals were merely animate resources for their profit – slaughter them too for as much profit as could be gained. Remember Upton Sinclair’s muckraking book “The Jungle” about how the sausage was really made with infected and diseased cattle before there were laws to prevent it? Well corporate America would still be getting away with that if there were no legislation or inspections. It is all about profit and greed – the bottom line. And now the corporations are forced to think about animal cruelty too? What will happen next? (Sorry for the rant; I’m an animal activist…)
I’m going to share this with Facebook friends because it is important to note how much suffering is going on in this world. Animals deserve our care and respect. They deserve to be treated kindly and when wronged, they deserve justice. We are in desperate need of modernizing our animal welfare laws and should demand as much from our politicians.
I do not eat meat strictly because of the way factory animals are treated, but considering the way Australia treats the cats in their country they have absolutely NO right to point fingers at any country for any thing.
USA is a nation of meat hungry morons! And, they don’t care what it takes, how they get it, and how cruel and inhumane they treat animals, for their bacon, steaks, burgers, omelets, milk, cheese, and I hope soon it is discovered that Mad Cow Disease has taken over and carnivores are dying for it. That will take care of the over population where people think procreating over and over is such a feat! It would be if one of their progenies would come up with the idea of how to stop people from eating meat, once and for all so that sentient beings have a chance to live too, instead of being born to feed the masses of cretins that over populate the earth!
The US is “supposed” to be one of the most progressive countries in the word – what a colossal disappointment (as usual), so very far to go!!
This is such an alarming article I had no idea farm animals were treated this badly shame on those who did this. May they get back ten fold this is unexceptable. Thank you for the heads up.
not only does this country treat factory farmed animals horribly,, this industry is the leading cause of green house gas emissions. plus, it has created a bigger dead zone in the gulf of mexico than the BP oil spill. I stopped eating meat over 20 years ago.
Please read Farmageddon, Meatanomics and Comfortably Unaware. You will find them all on Amazon. Prepare to be shocked, disappointed and upset at the way humans treat non-human animals for profit.