The story of Calf 1578 on a dairy farm in the United States highlights the importance of advocates in animal welfare. Sean Thomas, Animal Equality’s Director of International Investigations, tells the story of Calf 1578 and how you can protect animals like him every day…
Lying on the concrete floor with dirty uniforms piled up beside him, Calf 1578 sat up straight as he wearily watched the people coming and going of the Summit Calf Ranch staff. Dried blood paints the floor behind him.
For three days, this calf was unable to stand, its hooves painfully detached from its legs after freezing to death in the harsh Nebraska winter. Without food or water, the chances of recovery are slim.
And on the fourth day, Binh Than 1578 was shot and killed.
As a former undercover investigator for many years, I am often asked why I chose to oversee investigations at Animal Equality. The answer is simple: it’s for Calf 1578.
It’s for all calves trapped in Tuls Dairy facilities, like Summit Calf Ranch, that are separated from their mothers within thirty minutes of birth. It is then placed in thin plastic huts at negative temperatures.
It is for calves left with deadly diseases in a makeshift “hospital”—or old laundry room—where they will stay without veterinary care until they die.
It is for frozen calves that are left to die in a heap, lying in their own dung without a single moment of cuddling.
I do it because the calves are suffering so people can eat the tiny Babybel cheesecakes that this facility helps produce.
Every day, I am aware of the power of the dairy industry. With billions of dollars at its disposal, it has successfully deceived consumers into believing its products are cruelty-free. But every day I fight for Calf 1578, who gives me the will to continue to expose these lies.
And I couldn’t do it without the core of this organization: our monthly sponsors.
Monthly donors are the reason Animal Equality investigators exposed another dairy farm – Madox Farms, in South Wales – for shocking abuse of cows and calves. Madox Farms supplies well-known companies such as Costa Coffee and British Airways.
They are the reason this investigation is featured on a BBC Panorama programmeattracted millions of viewers, took Twitter by storm and countless plant-based engagements across the UK.
And monthly donors are the reason a dairy farm worker received a prison sentence for animal cruelty in 2017. This is the result of another investigation at a family-run facility. separately in Somerset, England.
Calves 1578 would have died in vain without our monthly donors. This calf will be forgotten by the whole world, never seeing the kind face of an undercover investigator.
That’s why monthly donors are the most powerful force this movement has in the fight against animal cruelty.
This is your moment. You have a chance to join this force.
By becoming a monthly sponsor, you’ll be providing your investigators with the equipment they need to do their job, the airfare needed to get them there, and the massive amount of resources needed. for investigations like these, which can take months.
You will support investigations that will make headlines in the New York Times, CNN and other leading news outlets. And you will open the public eye to the suffering that is happening around the world and in our own backyards.
Take a moment and imagine a world where those who harm innocent animals will pay for their crimes.
Imagine a world where mother cows can nurture their vulnerable calves, who will eventually receive the love they’ve always wanted.
That’s the kind of world you’ll create.
Donate on behalf of animals like Calves 1578. By becoming a monthly donor with Animal Equality, you can help support our investigations and expose the cruelty of the industry. dairy industry. You can help create a world where animals are treated with kindness and compassion and their lives are valued. Join the fight against animal cruelty and become a monthly sponsor of Animal Equality today.
Will you keep me and all the Animal Equality investigators on the scene?
Try plant-based alternatives at your next meal!
PROTECT THE MOTHER’S LOVE
A cow’s maternal instinct fosters a tender relationship with its vulnerable young. Maintain this tender relationship by choosing plant-based alternatives to dairy products.
