ACTIVISM 2 025Zine
Page 5-12
FACTORY FARMING IS WORSE THAN YOU THINK
AN ARTICLE BY ELLE FROBERG
One of the most overlooked yet integral problems in our society is factory farming.
Factory farming is the practice of using methods such as automated feeding and extreme confinement of animals to maximise farming efficiency and produce the maximum possible amount of products from animals.
In addition, animals in factory farms are often given antibiotics, beta-agonists (to promote lean muscle growth) and growth hormones, which despite having severe negative physiological effects on animals are a highly common practice in maximising meat production and production of other goods, like eggs, from animals The severe confinement animals face result in lack of mobility for the entire lives of these animals. Chickens bred for egg production are put in cages that render them unable to extend their wings. Additional physical cruelty includes chicken having beaks cut off, pigs having tails clipped and cows having horns removed much of the time without anesthesia or painkillers. These animals have very similar intelligence to dogs and cats, pigs being even more intelligent. So why do we scoff at the selling of dog meat and yet allow such harmful practices to ‘farm’ animals?
Aside from the morally backwards practices in factory farming, it also has significant negative impacts to the environment. Factory farming uses 70% of the Earth's Land. Therefore, the practice of factory farming contributes to deforestation, biodiversity loss and water pollution. Given all this evidence, there is legislation to ban factory farms by 2040
Combined with new advances in lab-grown meat for people who would miss a good burger, a ban on factory farms becomes more probable as climate change worsens and technology advances However, 2040 is a long way away, so we must take initiatives now to gradually end the need for factory farming. We can do this by supporting research into cultivated meat, advocating for legislative changes, and choosing to be vegan. The time is now. We can’t wait for this problem to get worse and for more animals to suffer under the system Get involved and do something!
GRIFFIN’S NEW BEGINNING: A RESCUE TALE
By Lotus Cohen
On August 28, 2017, a little girl set off with her mother and sister to a local horse fair known as the Hampton Classic The warm air and bright blue sky created a perfect backdrop for her excitement. She loved animals more than anything else, proudly wearing her favorite t-shirt adorned with edgy cuts and a striking golden tiger on the front. As she wandered through the fair, surrounded by majestic horses, her heart soared
Her biggest dream was to have a pony of her own After hours of indulging in sweet treats, peeking into stalls, and petting every horse she encountered, she suddenly spotted a brown pony grazing peacefully under a tree This pony wore a big blue ribbon around his neck and was surrounded by volunteers in red shirts emblazoned with "Rising Starr Horse Rescue "
With pure excitement, the little girl rushed over and asked if she could pet him The volunteers welcomed her with warm smiles, and she gently d the soft fur of the beautiful brown pony. When she learned his was Griffin and that he was up for adoption, her heart raced Little e know, standing before her was the manifestation of every wish ad made on loose eyelashes, shooting stars, lucky pennies, and ay candles This was the horse that would change her life forever
r prior, in Wilton, Connecticut, Kelly Stackpole felt compelled to a horse rescue after uncovering the heartbreaking realities of the e world. The dark side of the equine world is far more common than realize When horses are no longer useful whether they're too , too costly, injured from overwork, or simply outgrown they're dumped at auctions. Crowded into dirt paddocks, many healthy s go unsold, with the final bidder usually being a slaughterhouse e horses face a brutal fate, shipped in overcrowded trucks to o without food or water before being processed for meat, dog food, e In 2024 alone, around 20,000 horses are expected to be killed, ghting a fast and profitable slaughter pipeline for unwanted animals. s dream was to prevent this, even if it meant saving just one horse year; she was determined to make a difference, no matter how small Inspired by her wish, her son and a friend’s child decided to raise money to bring their first rescue home They set up a fundraising booth outside a local Stop and Shop, and in just two hours, they raised an incredible $500
Meanwhile, in a Kansas City kill pen, a broken pony stood in the dirt and dust at just six years old. He suffered from severe malnourishment and pneumonia, with horrific scars marking his head and front legs. With the funds raised by the two kids, this pony was purchased and transported to Connecticut, embarking on a journey of rehabilitation Thanks to the dedication of veterinarians and patient volunteers, Griffin began his second chance at life.
Griffin’s mischievous nature earned him the nickname "Houdini," as he would escape from his stall no matter how many locks were used He was curious, loved belly scratches, and when adoption day came at the Hampton Classic, the same day we were there, Kelly’s wish came true and the first horse they rescued, found his forever family with us.
Now, under the care of two young girls, Griffin truly flourishes He’s learned special tricks like giving fist bumps, hugs, and the famous Spanish walk, even bowing and climbing stairs! I’ve had the privilege of being Griffin’s owner for seven years now, and even though he still has challenging days filled with anxiety, he has learned to trust and love again. While we may never know the full extent of the abuse he endured in his past, Griffin has transformed into a wonderful, loving horse who craves attention and affection. We suspect that Griffin’s former home was in the Amish community; the brutal identical scars on each side of his head hint at him being used as a carriage horse. The Amish in the horse world has a reputation for dumping overworked, exhausted, and malnourished animals at auctions, many of whom cannot recover enough to have a second life. These were all the signs of abuse that Griffin showed. While we don't know for sure, this is our most common, logical guess from his tragic background and the reason leading us to the conclusion of why he was ultimately dumped and abandoned for slaughter
Griffin’s strengths shine through in liberty work, groundwork that emphasizes the connection between horse and human, His intelligence and talent have deeply impacted my life and my family. Rising Starr Horse Rescue has now expanded to two locations and, in 2024 alone, rescued over 20 horses Griffin has lived with us for more than half his life, and he will remain a cherished part of our family for the rest of it. He is so loved and happy. I am truly grateful every day for the opportunity to be his mom.
By Frankie Belden
RECIPES 2 025Zine
Page 14-19
By Sienna Monnier
A favorite from the 2023 Zine
Quick and Easy Vegan Banana Muffins
INGREDIENTS
♡1 1/4 cups mashed banana | 2 large or 3 small bananas
♡1 cup non-dairy milk
♡1/3 cup canola oil
♡1 cup granulated sugar
♡2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
♡1 tablespoon vanilla
♡2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
♡1 tablespoon baking powder
♡3/4 teaspoon salt
♡3/4 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips plus more for sprinkling on top
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan with liners and spray them lightly with oil. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Measure to make sure you have about 1 1/4 cups mashed banana. Add the non-dairy milk, oil, sugar, vinegar and vanilla to the bowl and whisk with the bananas until well combined. To the wet mixture, add the flour, then sprinkle the baking powder and salt on top of the flour. Stir to mix with a large spoon until just combined; be careful not to over mix. Some small lumps are fine. Fold in chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, if using. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, add batter to the liners in the pan almost all the way full. Sprinkle more walnuts/chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake for 20-24 minutes, until golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
