California’s Secretary of State has qualified the Prevent Cruelty California ballot measure for farmed animals, now officially known as Proposition 12. If passed, it will be the strongest law against the extreme confinement of farmed animals in the world!

In 2008, California voters passed a similar proposition titled Proposition 2 which prohibited the confinement of farmed animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Unfortunately, because the legislation did not state exact minimum space measurements, the majority of factory farm owners pleaded ignorance once the law was introduced, claiming they didn’t know how much space was required to adhere to the law as intended. This time around, Proposition 12 has closed that loophole by providing exact measurements. Even better, it prevents the importation of animal products into California from other states which do not meet these standards, creating an incentive for other states to follow suit and take animal welfare seriously.

Hope hangs in the air with just over 100 days until Election Day, and while an early survey shows that 72 percent of Californians plan to vote yes, we must be careful not to celebrate too soon. The powerful lobbies that abuse animals for their flesh and their eggs are pooling all of their money and resources to work against this measure, and their attack campaigns will be a force to reckon with. However, the abuse that calves, mother pigs, and laying hens face each and every day is simply unconscionable, and since Proposition 12 has the power to reduce their suffering, we cannot let them down.

We must do all that we can to encourage our friends, colleagues and family members in California to vote YES on Proposition 12. Please share this image on social media to let people know where you stand on this critical issue!