Cities Nationwide Join Farm Sanctuary Effort to Protect Farm Animals

Published on December 31, 2003 by Farm Sanctuary

Watkins Glen, NY: More than 50 cities across the United States and Puerto Rico have issued proclamations recognizing farm animals as “sentient beings” who deserve to be treated humanely. From New Jersey to Hawaii, from Delaware to California, city leaders are speaking out against cruel factory farming practices.

These U.S. cities proclaim:

Whereas, animals exploited by agribusiness are sentient beings - capable of awareness, feeling, and suffering; and
Whereas, human beings have an ethical obligation to refrain from causing pain and suffering to other sentient beings; and
Whereas, agribusiness commonly subjects cattle, pigs, chickens, and other farm animals to overcrowding, intensive confinement, and other conditions which cause pain and suffering;
Now, Therefore, be it resolved, that we recognize farm animals as sentient beings who deserve to be treated with respect and protected from inhumane treatment.

These cities enacted their proclamations after being contacted by Mary Tyler Moore, chair of Farm Sanctuary’s Sentient Beings Campaign, which seeks to elevate the social and legal status of farm animals in the United States. Mary Tyler Moore states, "Like all animals, farm animals have feelings and they deserve to be protected from cruelty. As a civilized nation, we have an ethical obligation to recognize farm animals as sentient beings and to prevent their suffering."

Animals exploited for food and fiber in the United States are considered primarily as commodities or “tools of production,” not sentient beings. They are excluded from most state anti-cruelty laws and from the federal Animal Welfare Act, and they are subjected to grossly inhumane conditions. They suffer from both physical and psychological disorders as animal factories seek to maximize productivity and profitability.

Public opinion polls have found that the vast majority of Americans oppose cruel farming practices, and most are shocked to learn about the inhumane conditions imposed on animals for the sake of agribusiness profitability. Gene Bauston, president of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, states, “We commend the mayors and the citizens of all these cities for speaking out against factory farming cruelty. Compassion is among the greatest human virtues, and these cities are helping to create a more compassionate society by enacting this proclamation.”

For more information: