Beef Recall: 7 Resolutions To Help Stop Animal Cruelty on Factory Farms

Factory farm animals are often raised under inhumane conditions that we really don't want many details about. But this weekend, we were confronted with their plight through hidden cameras showing why one huge meat processor had to announce the largest beef recall in American history. Now that everyone is aware of the plight of these animals, it's a good time to start voting with our dollars to send the message to the meat industry that even dedicated meat lovers will not tolerate the practice of cruelty to animals "raised" on factory farms and processed in inhumane ways. Here are seven easy ways each of us can make a difference by voting with our dollars and supporting compassionate farming practices when we do eat meat.

1. Shop for meats labeled “raised without antibiotics.” Shooting up factory farm animals with antibiotics allows them to be raised in inhumanely close, hideously unnatural conditions where they'd otherwise get sick and die if they weren't preemptively administered this stuff. If more people demand drug-free meat, they'd have to improve the factory farm animals' living conditions. Which would be nice for them, and probably healthier for us, too.

2. Shop for meats raised on local family farms. Traditional farmers are more likely to practice compassionate farming techniques, raising their stock in more traditional fields and barns. The more that people buy their meats, the more local farmers there will be, and the less expensive their products will become. Then there will be enough suffering-free foods for everyone.

3. Shop for milk labeled “no artficial growth hormones.” The reason they use this stuff is to get more milk per cow, which seems like a great idea except that it often causes infected udders and then they have to treat the animals with those antibiotics again. Not to mention these hormones are banned in Japan, Europe and Canada. I interpret that as a sign.

4. Start eating at least one vegetarian meal a week. Heck, go crazy and even have a vegetarian day once a week. It will be healthy and delicious, and after all, it won't kill you. Or anyone else for that matter.

5. Try explaining to your beloved and pampered family dog or cat why people are allowed to mistreat factory farm animals so you can to eat meat every single day. Look ʻem right in the eyes to gauge their reaction to this and consider their response.

6. Remember that if whatever God you pray to did mean for people to eat meat, he/she certainly didn't mean for the animals supplying that meat to have to suffer for it. You might mention this to a factory farm CEO if you happen to see one on their private jet one day.

7. Don't shop for the cheapest meat you can find. There's usually a reason this meat is cheap (antibiotics, harsh living conditions, E. coli recalls, etc.). Believe us. Factory animals pay a big price for cheaply produced meats.

Vote in this one-minute poll question: It's Time to go Vegetarian When..."