Cattle are among the most exploited animals in industrial farming, subjected to practices that prioritize production over welfare. Dairy cows, for instance, are forced into relentless cycles of impregnation and milk extraction, enduring immense physical and emotional strain. Calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth—an act that causes deep distress for both—while male calves are often sent to the veal industry, where they face short, confined lives before slaughter.
Beef cattle, meanwhile, endure painful procedures such as branding, dehorning, and castration, frequently without anesthesia. Their lives are marked by overcrowded feedlots, inadequate conditions, and stressful transport to slaughterhouses. Despite being intelligent, social beings capable of forming strong bonds, cattle are reduced to units of production in a system that denies them the most basic freedoms.
Beyond the ethical concerns, cattle farming also drives severe environmental harm—contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and unsustainable water use. This category sheds light on both the hidden suffering of cows, dairy cows, and veal calves, and the broader ecological consequences of their exploitation. By examining these realities, it invites us to question normalized practices and to seek compassionate, sustainable alternatives for food production.
Millions of cows endure immense suffering within the meat and dairy industries, their plight largely hidden from public view. From the overcrowded, sweltering conditions of transport trucks to the terrifying final moments in slaughterhouses, these sentient animals face relentless neglect and cruelty. Denied basic necessities like food, water, and rest during long journeys through extreme weather, many succumb to exhaustion or injury before even reaching their grim destination. At slaughterhouses, profit-driven practices often result in animals remaining conscious during brutal procedures. This article exposes the systemic abuse ingrained in these industries while advocating for greater awareness and a shift toward plant-based choices as a compassionate path forward