There are three transformative opportunities right now to make a massive impact on behalf of animals. These include a ban on large factory farms in Sonoma County, California, and a ban on slaughterhouses and fur in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, the most far-reaching initiative aims to eliminate all exemptions for animal cruelty in Oregon. Discover how the power of collective action is inspiring the animal protection movement to move further toward the end of animal exploitation and killing. Here’s what these ballot initiatives aim to do:

Ban Slaughterhouses and Fur in Denver, Colorado

On November 5, 2024, Denver could be the first city to ban slaughterhouses and the sale of fur products. If passed, Measure 309, launched by Pro Animal Future, would prohibit the construction and operation of slaughterhouses within the city, including shutting down the largest industrial lamb slaughterhouse in the country. Over 1,000 baby sheep are ruthlessly killed there daily. Recent undercover footage exposed horrendous brutality, showing lambs being kicked and many still conscious after having their throats cut, while Superior Farms hypocritically claims to be committed to animal welfare. The bottom line is that companies truly committed to animal welfare don’t exploit them in the first place in order to make money. This year we joined forces to help with the withdrawal of a slaughterhouse plan in Florida, proving that activism can work in profound ways. 

Ban the Largest Factory Farms in Sonoma County, California

In Defense of Animals is also part of the Coalition to End Factory Farming, Measure J, in Sonoma County, California. Sonoma County has 21 animal factories classified as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), which confine around 3 million individual animals at a time before their premature human-caused deaths. This measure would prohibit all current and new CAFOS. Investigations have also uncovered widespread cruelty in several of these facilities - violence is inherent in animal agribusiness. In Defense of Animals stands against all animal farming, no matter the size.

Ban the Abuse, Neglect, and Killing of Animals in Oregon.

The most bold and far-reaching of these initiatives is slated for the 2026 election in Oregon. Initiative Petition 28 - IP28 - is a proposed ballot initiative that has gathered over 35,000 signatures since July. It aims to remove exemptions from animal cruelty laws, extending protections for animal companions to those used for food and entertainment, and those held in research labs, zoos, and in the wild. 

This would ban the abuse, neglect, slaughter, hunting, experimentation, sexual violation, and forcible impregnation of all animals statewide. IP28 would also establish a Humane Transition Fund to help workers with food assistance, replace lost income, provide job retraining, and aid in rewilding efforts. Getting IP28 on the 2026 ballot, or later, and supporting similar visionary initiatives in Oregon and beyond is a vital step toward a shared goal of abolishing the exploitation of animals.

Asking for the world we want is fundamental to achieving animal liberation. There are ample alternatives to meet human needs without harming other animals. If you're in one of these areas or just want to support grassroots efforts for a more just and compassionate world, we urge you to spread the word about these historical initiatives and vote to end the use and killing of animals.