Today we made an unannounced visit to dairy goat farm Van Diepen in Heerhugowaard. The owner, Johan, took the time to speak with us and gave us a tour of the lamb section. Johan milks 500 goats. A few years ago he had a specialized stable built for the lambs and consciously chose to also fatten the male lambs (kids) himself. This is because of negative stories about goat … [Read more...] about Visit to dairy goat farm Van Diepen in Heerhugowaard
Our inspections
Consultation with the sector about animal transport during the heat
Today, Eyes on Animals had a consultation with the sector (Central Organization for the Meat Sector (COV) and Livestock and Logistics) and the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals about animal transport at summer temperatures. Eyes on Animals and the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals want slaughterhouses to work with a tropical schedule. This … [Read more...] about Consultation with the sector about animal transport during the heat
Inspection of Sawyerville livestock market, Quebec (CA)
Today Eyes on Animals joined Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals to check on the condition and treatment of cattle at the livestock market in Sawyerville, Quebec. We were pleased to not observe any bovine in very poor condition, all appeared fit and mobile. Nevertheless, the handling of the animals was at times unnecessarily aggressive, with most employees seen hitting … [Read more...] about Inspection of Sawyerville livestock market, Quebec (CA)
Sainte Hyacinthe market, Quebec, Canada
Today we returned to Sainte Hyacinthe market to observe their sale of culled-dairy cows and to check if this market, that previously had a very bad reputation, really was indeed much better than in 2004 (see old photo). Culled-cows can often be in very poor shape and are fragile to transport, as they have spent their short lives repeatedly pregnant and producing … [Read more...] about Sainte Hyacinthe market, Quebec, Canada
Abattoir Noiseux, Marieville, Quebec, Canada
Today we dropped by, unannounced, at a small slaughterhouse in Marieville. We wanted to check on the conditions for the animals being slaughtered. We presented ourselves and our organization and were allowed in. They were not slaughtering anymore today but there were roughly 30 animals waiting in the lairage; small pigs, a bull, and goats. The lairage was well lit, had … [Read more...] about Abattoir Noiseux, Marieville, Quebec, Canada