Action for Animals produced a 30-second TV ad, which gives viewers a glimpse of the deprived lives endured by farmed animals in Australia. Combining video footage, music and written words, the ad presents a highly persuasive case for compassionate eating. Viewers are directed to the website, which provides easily-accessible information to help them make the transition to a cruelty-free diet. The site includes easy recipes, nutrition information, a shopping guide and a directory of vegetarian restaurants. The ad aired on Channel 10 for 3 weeks in Canberra, and is due to be shown in Newcastle in late 2009.  You can watch the ad on the Try Veg website.   

The development of a user-friendly guide by former Senator Andrew Bartlett, for the Australian public on how to successfully influence the political system and create positive change for animals, is well underway.  Responses to the guide from animal activist and MP's have been received and collated along with result summaries from multiple in-depth interviews regarding animal-friendly laws, policies and attitudes. The first draft for the guide, authored by Andrew Bartlett, is nearly completed and is awaiting further research results to be compiled before the initial version is uploaded on-line. Completion of the initial version of the resource guide is targeted for November 2009.  

After a successful long distance animal transport investigation in January 2008, Animals' Angels prepared another investigation in order to further document the suffering of animals who are transported long distances in Australia. Despite meticulous preparation and tracking transporters thousands of kilometres, the team this year encountered unexpected difficulties. Animals' Angels remain dedicated to exposing an industry where no monitoring or controls currently exist and stated, "If you don't do the hard yards, nothing will change".

Animal Liberation Queensland produced "What's Wrong with Battery Hens?" in July 2009, with the second brochure "What's Wrong with Factory Farmed Pigs?" following close on its heels. With three eye-catching promotional banners designed to highlight awareness, the new brochures are companion pieces to the "What's Wrong with Broiler Chickens?" and will be distributed at major locations and events throughout south-east Queensland. The brochures are also available to download and print directly from their web site. 

While the autumn rains this year were welcomed by all, their coming also helped soften the ground so work could commence on fencing for the Compassion Trail at Brightside Farm Sanctuary. With the fencing completed, paddock shelters are being built and will be completed shortly.   With the Compassion Trail due to open in November, students and other visitors will soon be able to expand and enrich their educational experiences by visiting the animals in their paddocks and natural habitats. 

Dr Iris Bergmann and Dr Cecily Maller and their team from RMIT University have completed data collection for the study “What Factors Lead Australians to Support or Actively Reject Factory Farming?” conducted through six regional and metropolitan focus groups in Australia.  Preliminary findings show that most participants reject the conditions of factory farms; however, most have little knowledge of the conditions in factory farms and of the impact on the animals, the environment and community health.   A fatalistic attitude towards farm animals prevails and many believe there is a need for factory farms to produce inexpensive meat for growing populations. At the same time, there is a strong call for accurate labelling of animal derived food products, a demand for more humane treatment, and improved government standards.  To request a copy of the report click here.  

The inaugural Minding Animals Conference was held in Newcastle in July 2009. Over 500 delegates and artists from Australia and overseas joined activists and academics from the University of Newcastle and several Australian universities to discuss such varied topics as animals in sociology, religion, history, literature, the law, and zoo and veterinary science. The conference also examined the complex philosophical and theoretical foundations of the interrelationship between humans and animals, as well as examining animal welfare and protection measures taken by governments, universities and the community. If you didn’t attend the conference, or missed some seminars or speakers, more information is available at the Minding Animals web site.

Part of the $5,000 grant awarded to the University of Sydney has already been used to create an online video of a 'cardiovascular control practical’ which will replace the use of rabbits and rather invite students to view the practical as it might have been performed in a traditional laboratory setting.  A major part of the project has been completed by digitizing, editing and optimizing the video for web playback. In addition, the content has been re-written for web use and text graphics and navigation shall be incorporated soon.  The elimination of the conventional use of animals when practicals are delivered online is an obvious benefit of this project, welcomed not only by Ethics committees, but students themselves, who today openly question the ethics of experimentation.

The Australian Association for Humane Research (AAHR) conducted a recent poll co-funded by Voiceless and Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. The poll found almost 90% of respondents consider that the number of animals used for research and teaching in Australia is unacceptable or could be reduced, and over half don't believe it's always safe to apply results to humans. Astonishingly, only 62% of the general public are even aware that animals are used in experimental research.  AAHR CEO Helen Marston said, "Approximately 7 million animals are used in research and teaching in Australia every year. It's heartening to know the majority of Australians are opposed to such archaic practice and recognize the need to seek more humane and scientifically-valid options". 

A survey conducted by Newspoll on behalf of the Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland found that 99% of Australians are against animal cruelty and find certain farming, testing and breeding practices unacceptable. The aim of the survey was to find out how many vegans and vegetarians there are in Australia, and what Australian’s attitudes to animals are. The survey found that 86% of Australians believe keeping egg-laying hens in cages for their entire lives is unacceptable; 80% of Australians think it’s unacceptable to test cosmetics on animals; and 56% of Australians would consider becoming vegan. The survey report concluded that the most important thing people can do to help animals is become vegan. Click through to view the full survey report.

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