Why

Farmed animals are the largest group of beings exploited by humans. Yet, in Russia, they receive little public attention or legal protection and are constantly subjected to cruel treatment. By focusing on this issue, Voices for Animals aims to bring the greatest impact through its work.

The number of animals used for food is constantly increasing worldwide. In 1961, 7 billion warm-blooded animals and birds were slaughtered for meat. By 2023, this number had risen to 83 billion, along with 124 billion farmed fish and 1–2 trillion wild-caught fish.

In Russia alone, 2.7 billion farmed warm-blooded animals were killed for food in 2023. Every 5 seconds, Russian slaughterhouses processed 411 chickens, 8 pigs, 2 sheep and 1 cow

The life of farmed animals is far from the idyllic images seen on packaging and advertisements for meat, eggs, and dairy. Industrial agriculture prioritizes increasing production over animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and consumer health.

Chickens bred for meat suffer broken legs under their own weight, living in pain for half their lives. Laying hens are crammed into cages, while male chicks are ground alive or suffocated in bags. Cows are artificially inseminated and separated from their calves within a day of birth — most are sent to slaughter. Pigs are castrated without anesthesia and confined in crates so small they cannot turn around. Nearly all farmed animals are killed at an age that, in human terms, would be considered infancy.

Farming causes more suffering than any other form of animal exploitation combined. Improving conditions in agriculture has the greatest potential to reduce suffering on a global scale. Yet, while public attention often focuses on homeless and wild animals, those used for meat, dairy, and eggs remain largely invisible.

In Russia, only a handful of organizations work to help farmed animals, and they receive significantly fewer resources than other causes — especially compared to the powerful livestock industry.

Our estimates show that 99.8% of animal-related donations in Russia go toward helping homeless cats and dogs, while only 0.2% support organizations addressing factory farming issues. Meanwhile, the number of stray cats and dogs is just 0.1% of the animals used in agriculture — and they are protected by federal law. Federal Law of 27.12.2018 No. 498-FZ