{"id":16099,"date":"2012-12-10T15:14:37","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T20:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kb.webitgarage.ca\/montreals-spca-is-asking-the-public-to-take-a-stand-against-cruelty-in-the-pork-industry\/"},"modified":"2018-06-22T11:13:26","modified_gmt":"2018-06-22T15:13:26","slug":"montreals-spca-is-asking-the-public-to-take-a-stand-against-cruelty-in-the-pork-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/en\/montreals-spca-is-asking-the-public-to-take-a-stand-against-cruelty-in-the-pork-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal\u2019s SPCA is asking the public to take a stand against cruelty in the Pork Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Montreal, December 10, 2012 \u2013 Last Saturday, CTV\u2019s news magazine W5<\/em> aired a report \u201cFood for thought\u201d in which an undercover investigation with hidden-cameras took viewers inside one of Canada\u2019s largest pork producer, Puratone and showed shocking conditions found there. Purotone supplies pork for some of Canada\u2019s biggest grocery chains uncluding Metro, Walmart and Loblaws. The investigation was undertaken by Mercy for Animals<\/em> Canada<\/em> and documents the cruel reality of how pigs are raised in factory farms in Canada. Much of the footage shows practices that, despite being inhumane, are, currently permitted in Canada, including: the confinement of thousands of pigs to metal gestation crates so small they are unable to turn around, stretch their legs or lie down comfortably for nearly their entire lives andthe castration and cutting of tails of fully conscious piglets without any anesthesia or pain control. To view the W5<\/em> report, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pigs are smart, sensitive animals who feel pain, fear and stress, and are capable of engaging in complex tasks. Highly social, pigs naturally spend their time in groups and are very active and playful. Studies show that pigs are even more intelligent than dogs and even some primates. \u201cAs difficult as the images filmed at the undercover investigation at Puratone are to watch, consumers need to understand how their choices in purchasing can directly affect the lives of animals\u201d said Alanna Devine, Montreal\u2019s SPCA Director of Animal Advocacy. \u201cWe fully support the efforts of Mercy for Animals Canada in exposing the inherent cruelty behind factory farmed pigs and gestation crates\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Gestation crates cause unimaginable physical and psychological suffering to the sows. Pigs housed in gestation crates suffer from wounds and pressure sores from rubbing against the bars or lying on the hard concrete floors in their cages, they also perform repetitive behaviors such as biting and banging the metal bars of their cages out of frustration and boredom, often until they bleed. You will find more details about the horrors of the gestation crates and the whole investigation undertaken by Mercy for Animals Canada\u00a0<\/em>by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Around the world, countries are phasing out the use of cruel gestation crates and using alternative housing systems, such as group housing, which better meet the pig\u2019s needs. In fact, animal welfare experts and veterinarians around the world consider gestation crates to be so cruel that they have been banned in the entire European Union, Australia, New Zealand and in nine U.S. states. Many companies in North America, such as McDonald\u2019s, Tim Hortons and many others have also pledged to end the use of gestation crates in their supply chains. Canada is the world\u2019s third largest pork exporter and the industry is worth approximately $3-billion a year. Some of Canada\u2019s largest businesses, such as Safeway and Costco, have already asked their suppliers to put an end to this inhumane practice.<\/p>\n

Please help Montreal\u2019s SPCA stand with Humane Society International<\/em> Canada<\/em>, Mercy for Animals Canada<\/em> and other Animal Welfare groups across the Country, to stop the use of gestation crates and other cruel practices pigs are enforced to endure.\u00a0Here are ways to take a stand and make a difference starting now:<\/p>\n