WFAD 2009 Exposes Daily Terror on Animals Worldwide
View the Photo Gallery and Global Video Coverage

October 2nd marked the 27th annual World Farm Animals Day, bringing worldwide attention to the plight of farmed animals with 450 observances throughout all 50 U.S. states and 29 other countries.

Caring people around the world joined the global outcry by raising awareness in their communities in a variety of ways. Observances ranged from dramatic and attention-grabbing to traditional educational outreach. Activities included candlelight vigils, memorial services, marches, cage-ins, die-ins, information tables, exhibits, video screenings, leafleting, feed-ins and more.

Hundreds of bus display cards and nearly a dozen highway billboards are posted in major cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Letters to the editor carrying the message of compassion were sent to more than 600 newspapers.

FARM mailed hundreds of Event and Leafleting Packs, providing volunteers around the world with WFAD banners, posters, handouts, stickers, and more. Brand new outreach materials reflected this year’s thought-provoking theme, Make the Connection. Based on a photo series created by Mobilization for Animals and FARM, the new poster and handout depict humans in factory farming and slaughter situations, urging viewers to empathize with the suffering of animals.

Observances throughout the U.S. were a great success, with outreach taking place in every state. Numerous activities took place in the nation’s capital. During morning rush hour on October 2nd, Washington, DC commuters received the WFAD message with ten large banners hanging from overpasses surrounding the capital beltway. FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) hosted an 15-panel “Make the Connection” photo exhibit in downtown DC and will continue to do so throughout October. Check out FARM’s report on DC World Farm Animals Day observances with photos and a video.

Other attention-grabbing events took place throughout the country. Of special note, California activists hosted candlelight vigils in front of two slaughterhouses in Petaluma and Fulton (read a news article). California State University students held a cage-in, confining themselves in small cages to demonstrate farming cruelties. High school students in Albuquerque, NM coordinated a die-in. In Croton, OH, a protest in front of one of the largest egg facilitators in the Midwest made a clear statement.

More than 50 communities conducted film screenings of the documentary Fowl Play in response to recent news coverage of investigative footage which reveals male baby chicks (unfit for egg production) being ground up alive.

Dozens of universities and colleges participated with protests, information tables, leafleting, video screenings, feed-ins and other activities on campus. Walks took place in nearly 60 U.S. cities and several other countries.

The World Veg Festival Weekend in San Francisco welcomed thousands of visitors. Attractions included international vegan cuisine, food demos, renowned speakers, live entertainment, vegan athletes, vendors and more. Similar festivals took place in Boston, Charlottesville, Orlando, and other cities.

Humane societies, animal shelters, and sanctuaries offered Veg Starter Guides and recipes to visitors. Yoga centers set out handouts with Gandhi’s peaceful message, encouraging a compassionate diet.

The internet was abuzz about World Farm Animals Day 2009. Writers for popular blogs such as Vegan Examiner, DC Vegan, and Animal Rights on Change.org wrote about World Farm Animals Day, and activists on Facebook made groups, fan pages, and local event listings to promote their activities. Hundreds of people on Twitter talked about World Farm Animals Day, with “tweets.”

Internationally, World Farm Animals Day was more successful than ever with 130 events throughout 29 countries in addition to the United States. Veg groups in Australia are putting on nearly 50 vegan food-related outreach events throughout October. Austrian activists conducted a dramatic protest with participants dressed in animal masks, bloody overcoats, butchers and a person dressed as “Death” in a black frock with scythe. Nearly two dozen events took place in Canada, including a vigil and cage-in in Toronto, ON.

Activists in Croatia are setting up numerous information stalls and vegan feed-ins throughout the month. Paris France hosted a massive festival. Numerous die-ins and memorial services were held in Germany. More than 50 groups hosted observances in India including vigils, lectures, marches, rallies and educational events. A successful “Fowl Play” screening took place in Donegal Ireland. Hundreds participated in a protest march throughout the streets of Tel Aviv Israel. Observances in Nigeria included leafleting, homeless feed-ins and humane education in schools.

Other participating countries include Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, UK and Zambia.

Thanks to compassionate people around the world, World Farm Animals Day observances provided a much-needed voice for the more than 55 billion sentient cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and other sentient animals who are brutally raised and needlessly slaughtered each year for food. Outreach activities will continue throughout the month.

View the WFAD 2009 Photo Gallery and Global Video Coverage

What’s Next?

World GO VEGAN Week is October 25th through 31st. Coordinated by In Defense of Animals (IDA) and co-sponsored by FARM, it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce others to the benefits of veganism.

Coming in November... Gentle Thanksgiving! Now that you’ve informed your friends and community about the suffering of farmed animals, encourage them to eat a compassionate vegan holiday meal.

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World Farm Animals Day is coordinated by FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement), a non-profit public interest organization based in Washington, DC.

This year's observance is co-sponsored by: