Minding Animals Conference

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

The University of Newcastle was granted $10,000 towards their Minding Animals conference held in Newcastle in July 2009. The conference was the first international event of its type dedicated to the emerging trans-discipline of animal studies. 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.

http://www.mindinganimals.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Ite…

What’s wrong with factory farming?

ANIMAL LIBERATION QLD

Animal Liberation Queensland was awarded a grant of $11,000 for their ‘What’s wrong with factory farming?’ project. The grant went towards the production and distribution of two brochures entitled ‘What’s Wrong with Factory Farmed Pigs?’ and ‘What’s Wrong with Battery Hens?’ to supplement the informative and eye-catching ‘What’s Wrong with Broiler Chickens?’ brochure that they have already made. The brochures were distributed at major locations, events and festivals throughout south-east Queensland. Three free-standing banners were also created to complement and promote the brochures as part of a wider public awareness campaign. The brochures are also available to download and print directly from their website. To view a copy of the brochure, please click on the download icon or button below.

http://www.animalliberationqld.org.au/downloads/ffbrochure02final.pdf

Vegetarian Survey

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND

The Vegetarian/Vegan Society of Queensland received a $20,000 grant for their Vegetarian Survey project. This grant funded a survey of vegetarianism in order to establish rates of vegetarianism among Australians as well as Australian people’s attitudes to animals. The survey found 99% of Australians are against animal cruelty and find certain farming, testing and breeding practices unacceptable. It also 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. To view the full report “A Pound of Flesh” please click on the download icon below.

If You Knew

ACTION FOR ANIMALS

Action for Animals received a grant of $20,000 to produce a TV commercial project titled ‘If you knew’. Media advertising is one of the most effective ways to inform members of the public about animal protection issues, and this campaign is designed to promote more compassionate eating among consumers. Inspired by a highly effective series of ads made by US organisation, Compassion Over Killing, Action for Animals produced and broadcast a powerful 30 second TV commercial exposing the cruelty endured by farmed animals in Australia. The commercial directs viewers to a website containing information about making the transition to a cruelty-free diet, including easy recipes, nutritional information, a shopping guide and a directory of vegetarian restaurants. The ad aired on Channel 10 for 3 weeks in Canberra, and was shown in Newcastle in late 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLN9NeLx430

What factors lead Australians to support or actively reject factory farming?

RMIT UNIVERSITY

Dr Iris Bergmann and Dr Cecily Maller and their team from RMIT University received the Against Factory Farming Grant and $21,000 for their project entitled: “What factors lead Australians to support or actively reject factory farming?”. This project addresses the lack of sound academic research on Australian opinions, values and norms towards farm animals and factory farming. The first phase of the project saw the assembly of six regional and metropolitan focus groups throughout Australia to establish data on the issue. The report’s findings showed that most participants reject the conditions on factory farms; however, most have little knowledge of those conditions and of their impact on 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. These findings were presented in July 2009 at the International Inaugural Minding Animals Conference, Newcastle Civic Precinct, Newcastle. To view a copy of this presentation please click on the download icon below.

The Wise Hen

ANDY CARNAHAN

Andy Carnahan was awarded $1,500 for his book titled ‘The Wise Hen’. The goal of this book project was to educate readers about the inherent cruelty of the battery cage system, and to encourage them to make humane choices as consumers. To view the front cover of this moving book please click the link or download icon below.

http://The Wise Hen

Run For Your Life

FRIENDS OF THE HOUND

Friends of the Hound used their $2,500 grant to create glossy posters promoting greyhounds as model pets. This campaign intended to educate the public about the plight of greyhounds who are destroyed because they are considered ‘surplus’ to greyhound racing industry requirements. Friends of the Hound work to encourage more people to adopt greyhounds as companion animals in order to save the lives of these dogs. Visit their website for further information. To view a copy of the campaign poster, please click on the download icon below.

Handbook of Australian Animal Cruelty Law

Animals Australia were awarded a $3,500 grant to fund the re-publication and distribution of an animal law reference book. The 'Handbook of Australian Animal Cruelty Law' by Malcolm Caulfied, was first published in 2008, and provides a guide and critical commentary to Australian animal welfare law. This book is the first of its kind to draw together comparison and criticism to animal legislation, on both state and federal levels.  It will serve as a single source to be used by researchers, students, prosecutors, administrators, judicial officers and others interested in animal welfare law. To view a copy of the book, please click on the link or download icon below.  

Report on Animal Testing in Cosmetics

LAWYERS FOR ANIMALS

Lawyers for Animals were awarded $5,000 for their project entitled ‘A report on animal testing in cosmetics’. The report was aimed at educating members of the community about the use of animal testing by the cosmetics industry, and the need for mandatory and responsible labelling of cosmetics that test on animals, and/or contain animal-derived ingredients. The report was distributed online via the Lawyers for Animals website, and in hard copy to all relevant media agencies, animal welfare groups and relevant government departments.

http://www.lawyersforanimals.org.au/documents/Submission-20060405.pdf

A Shot In The Dark

ANIMAL LIBERATION NSW

Animal Liberation NSW received a $5,000 grant to research and publish a report on the Australian commercial kangaroo industry. The report entitled ‘A Shot in the Dark’ addressed concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and health standards relating to the commercial kangaroo industry. Animal Liberation provided the report to both current and potential Australian exporters of kangaroo meat, the European Union, China and the Russian Federation.

http://animal-lib.org.au/images/stories/news/a_shot_in_the_dark.pdf