About Our Investigation and Rescue Campaign

As the first step of battery cage investigations, we have done extensive research on the practice of battery cage egg production. If you are not already familiar with factory farm conditions, please read our background information on battery cage facilities.

Our philosophy of strategic, nonviolent activism is that negotiations are an important process in bringing about change. To that end, we have made numerous attempts at opening a dialogue with Michael Foods, one of the largest egg producers in the US.

As a further step in this process, we have publically protested their practices at their annual stockholders' meeting and done extensive work to educate the public about battery cage operations.

When these steps proved ineffective, it became time to approach the problem of battery cages directly. Following the model of Australia's Animal Action Rescue Team, we have begun investigating these facilities and rescuing hens in dire need of help.

In the process, we have produced extensive photographic and video documentation of animal abuse and neglect. To give a sense of what battery facilities are like, we have constructed a photo tour of a typical facility.

In accordance with our nonviolent philosophy, we have all signed and adhere to a strict nonviolence pledge. To protect the health and well-being of animals and ourselves, we also follow biosecurity guidelines that far exceed USDA recommendations.

On January 15, 2001, we announced our investigations to the public. The following day, we held a press conference detailing our findings and show some of our extensive video documentation. We also filed a formal complaint against Michael Foods with regional humane investigators.