Right when you think animals voices are not being heard, a chairwoman steps up!

Arlington County Board Chairwoman Mary Hughes Hynes has issued a proclamation recognizing the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, the Humane Society of the United States, and Arlington residents for working together to improve the treatment of animals, including farm animals in the food industry. This is great news for animal activists!

I’m encouraged that the Arlington County Board issued a proclamation last week that calls upon Arlingtonians "to use their power as consumers to seek changes in our local food supply."

Pork producers currently cram most mother pigs in tiny cages called gestation crates, which are so small that the pigs can’t even turn around. These pigs, who are used for breeding, unfortunately spend months or even years immobilized in these crates. Unbelievably, the communications director of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has stated, “So our animals can’t turn around for the 2.5 years that they are in the stalls producing piglets… I don’t know who asked the sow if she wanted to turn around.”

I’m going to take the Arlington County Board’s advice and use my power as a consumer by encouraging the NPPC to eliminate the use of gestation crates. I encourage others to call the NPPC at 202-347-3600 and do the same.

Donna Raihl

Arlington, VA 22204