Auction

[pacificpikachu]

Looong day. Goddamn, livestock auctions are REALLY depressing, awful places to be. I thought I was emotionally prepared, but... Seeing these things in person is upsetting, and the reality takes on a different level of meaning and realization when you witness it yourself. The animals truly are treated like objects. We did rescue ten broilers (cornish cross) from 100% certain death, though. A few of the group may have to be put down because of health issues, but most should make it at least a while. (Cornish cross don't live for very long no matter how well you treat them--they simply grow too unnaturally and often have heart attacks at a young age.) The poor cornish cross were so pitiful (covered in crap and wet and dirty and miserable), we just had to help them. They were peeping in the crates on the way back. They are just babies after all, only six weeks old. I also bought three young old english game bantam pullets myself because they're adorable and cheap and I just had to bust some living things out of there myself, with the little money I had in my bag.

I was thankful that most of the poultry up for auction was not food animals, though--mostly exotics and gamey breeds who went for generally more than a bird for eating goes for. There were meat rabbits and more cornish cross there, but they were too expensive for us to buy.

Most depressing was definitely seeing the pigs and cows, though. You try watching tiny calves who still have their umbilical cords attached being sold for veal, innocently tottering on unstable legs into the auction yard where they look about in confusion at the people and get pushed around if they don't go fast enough or in the right direction. And scared milk cows past the peak of their productivity, eyes rolling and staggering about, around $50 each, off to the slaughter house with them. The pigs' skins were all scratched up, they were shivering from the cold, and squealing horribly. Little piglets, too. One person put a live pig in their car's trunk. The livestock handlers were rough with the animals, who were almost all terrified. One livestock handler picked up a tiny calf who was lying down for a second by the scruff of his or her neck. They kept hitting all the animals and scaring them, forcing them forward if they didn't want to go. A calf came and was trying to suckle on my finger as they were about to force him or her into the auction yard.

But ultimately, describing it doesn't say anywhere near as much as being there. When you're looking straight into the eyes of the animals themselves and then seeing how they are treated, how little their lives are worth to people, the situation has another gravity. When you're there, the wrongness of the situation is so apparent. It's disturbing. There are auctions for animals three days out of the week at this facility, every week. Animals all over, everywhere. Day old babies, old and decrepit animals, and everything in between. 80-90% of the animals there are off to have their throats slit soon, to become hamburgers and chicken salads and ham and so on.

I could go on and on, but ultimately I'll cut myself off. If I rant about it, it just makes me dwell on it more, and feel more and more upset about humanity and the food industry and the fact that all of this is constantly going on.

I just wish I could save them all.

Comments

[ylmik-wisty.livejournal.com]

God. My family was just talking about Earthlings today, my dad's been on a documentary kick and watched it, and was horrified by the animal industry. Not enough to really do anything, but we at least talked about it. It started getting me down. And now this description. I don't want to make you dwell on it more, but I was wondering, what are these livestock auctions? There are people who raise the animals, and then they sell to meat industries? Or is it industries auctioning out the 'worst' of their stock to be made into cheap food by other businesses? It's just.. ugh. I never even heard about this kind of event before. I'm glad that people who want to save these animals can come in and bid for them though.

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

I'm glad he watched it. Even if he isn't going to change anything in his lifestyle now, maybe someday down the road... And if nothing else, at least he has the knowledge. Most people have so, so, so little knowledge about the food industry that it's ridiculous. People have no idea what's behind their food, about the animals or the process or anything, and trying to educate can be difficult because people don't want their appetite spoiled by the horrors and suffering. It's sad that I know more about farming and farm animals and slaughter than probably 98% of meat eaters.

Livestock auctions vary, but the one I went to is a facility where anyone can take unwanted livestock (they have enclosures to keep said livestock in) and there are set auction times for different categories of animals. The animals can come from anywhere--local farms, private owners, industry farms, and wherever else. The people who bring the animals get part of the profit, and the auction facility gets the rest. It's often the second to last stop for most of the animals there--they will go on to slaughter after this. Even if not right away, fairly soon. It's certainly not a slaughterhouse, but it's still really damn depressing.

Here's the one I was at: http://www.escalonlivestockmarket.com/

Also, yes, you can go and bid on and save a very small percentage of the animals... But then that money goes right back into the industry and auction site, so if one can resist bidding on the animals, it's not recommended. :( Also, the animals get expensive fairly quickly.

[ylmik-wisty.livejournal.com]

thanks for the link and education. all of this is reminding me to be more thoughtful. I say I care about animals, but I haven't even gone full on vegetarian.. well to partially make up for that, I think I'm going to donate some money to Animal Place. i need to figure out paypal first, i've never made internet transactions aside from paying bills.

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

Let me know if I can help you with becoming vegetarian. Perhaps you can start thinking about ways to reduce your meat consumption, and then gradually phase it out altogether if/when you're comfortable? I actually know the feeling, as I'm sadly still supporting the dairy industry and I really don't want to any more. But it's hard to make that dietary switch. Now when I eat dairy products I think of those veal calves (the sons of the dairy cows go to veal farms) and older dairy cows at the auction, though... I will go vegan (minus eggs from my own chickens, because there's no moral issue there for me whatsoever) eventually, but it's going to be a gradual process I think.

Paypal is actually pretty easy, I've been using it for year so let me know if you have any questions! And you can donate through our website, www.animalplace.org. I think we take other types of payments as well if Paypal ends up being an issue. Once our sanctuary is officially open to the public, I'll take you on a tour! :D You'll LOVE seeing the rabbits in their amazing enclosure! It's so cute watching them run and play.

[ylmik-wisty.livejournal.com]

I usually eat very little meat. Except that when I've gone without it for a while, I usually end up specifically ordering a meat dish because I feel unbalanced dietwise. I think the biggest challenge would be thus to just eat copious amounts of tofu or something when I feel like I haven't been getting enough protein.

I was actually trying to read through paypal when I got this...I'm scared of it XD. I had it linked to a debit card but then I read that there were extra fees associated with it, so now I'm wondering about bank accounts and then read horror stories about that. Maybe I'll pm you about it.

That'd be fun! Animal Place sounds so amazing, I don't doubt it is every bit amazing as it sounds.

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

Yes, I don't understand how people can just see these animals as objects or walking carcasses or whatever. It's horrible seeing how they treat them in the name of efficiency. The animals were so scared and confused.

I understand that it's hard to cut out meat entirely. I want to cut out dairy entirely (I already don't buy any eggs, for obvious reasons, but will probably continue eating my own chicken's eggs because there's no moral issue there for me), but that's a bit difficult because dairy is everywhere and I'm so used to eating dairy products. I guess I will just make a gradual switch, avoid dairy whenever I can, and try to chose vegan alternatives if possible. I wish changing diets was easier! Gives us both something to work towards, though.

[snowflaika.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry but I stopped reading halfway ;; I'm feeling too sensitive today to handle this... but at least you managed to save some lives, poor little things.

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* It's okay, I know you know about these things already, so don't feel guilty about not reading. You're already doing way, way more than most people!

I am glad we got a few birds out of there. Even if they only live a few months or a year, at least they will have peace and be away from suffering for the rest of their days. (And as for my little bantams, they will be spoiled and loved on like always, LOL.)

[derranged.livejournal.com]

Fucking Hell... makes me wish I didn't eat meat at all. I mean, I tried once, and it was horrible!! I just wish humans gave a fucking shit about creatures other than themselves... not like that'll happen though, orz.

Knowing that you helped out the few animals you could though.. I have a ton of respect for you, you are like an angel. Need a trillion more cool doods like you around, lol. <3

[lunaeris.livejournal.com]

Rabbits are not food =( You are amazing for what you do!

Also, wanted to let you know I got my package safely from you today. Thank you <3

[bjango.livejournal.com]

Reading your post made me physically sick to my stomach. It dumbfounds me to think of how people can desensitize themselves to the pain and suffering of animals. Glad you were able to save a few though. Kudos!

[crimson-angel02.livejournal.com]

I actually had to give my dog a hug after reading your experience. That's great that you were able to get those chickens. At least now they'll live out the rest of their life knowing not all people are cruel and heartless.

There is no excuse for those farm hands to treat those animals like they do. They already have a rough life as it is so why not show a little compassion towards them? :/