The Hen Report: “Learning what’s really going on is a way not to give up” – Fighting for Animals in Challenging Times

This Hen Report episode explores the disturbing parallels between systems of oppression, from ICE operations to the meat industry, and the looming threats to public health from factory farming. Jasmin and Mariann deliver a sobering Hen Report that examines:

• How the meat industry and immigration enforcement share similar dehumanizing tactics, with both systems relying on workers who must carry out brutal policies created by those in power
• The alarming spread of bird flu through dairy farms and other animals, with scientists warning it could potentially become a devastating human pandemic
• How the USDA is taking funds from school food programs to fight bird flu while the dairy industry continues expanding in New York
• A special appearance by Kathy Stevens, who announces her retirement from Catskill Animal Sanctuary after 25 years and discusses her concerns about the Trump administration’s impact on animal protection

The hosts also highlight the New York Times’ problematic celebration of meat’s “comeback,” the USDA’s failure to regulate antibiotics in meat labeled “antibiotic-free,” and the inspiring story of an 87-year-old vegan ultramarathoner raising funds for animal rights.

RESOURCES

• Meat Is Back, on Plates and in Politics
• Scientists warn what future bird flu mutations could mean for people | 60 Minutes
• Massive Chobani plant to be built near Utica, upping demand on dairy farmers
• USDA’s $1B bird flu plan uses money intended for schools, food banks
• Federal Inspectors Found Antibiotics in Beef ‘Raised Without Antibiotics.’ They Took No Action
• Trump Opens a Huge Marine Protected Zone to Commercial Fishing
• New Documentary Follows ‘Incredible’ 87-Year Old Vegan Ultrarunner Paul Youd
• The Economic Impacts Of A Plant-Based Transition: Exploring Two Growth Scenarios
• Free From Harm’s Adam Schiff Instagram post
• Spanish Government Allows Vegans to Eat Vegan Food in School Canteens
• WATCH: Elephants form ‘alert circle’ during earthquake at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Ridglan Farms sues Dane4Dogs over protests and social media campaigns
• Animal Activism Collective foie gras protest on Instagram
• MADNESS: The Deep Driver of Our Climate Crisis Lessons From My Family Farm By Jim Mason
• Sub-Human A 21st-Century Ethic; On Animals, Collective Liberation, and Us All by Emma Hakansson
• To Those Who Were Our First Gods by Nickole Brown
• Creature Needs Writers Respond to the Science of Animal Conservation – Lucy Spelman (Editor) , Christopher Kondrich (Editor) , Susan Tacent (Editor)
• The Vegnews Guide to Being a Fabulous Vegan Look Good, Feel Good & Do Good in 30 Days by Jasmin Singer & Vegnews Magazine

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview.

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Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

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