This weekend at AVA International reminded us why we do this work. Our Deputy Director of Investigations, Erin W., read a letter from one of our former undercover investigators. He wrote about leaving a little piece of himself in every facility he investigates. Angela de Freitas led a roundtable on farm transitions—exploring how we can help farmers move away from …
One year ago this month, Arizona experienced what would become the largest animal disease outbreak in the state’s history. Between May 16 and June 7, 2025, 6.3 million birds were killed across seven locations centering on Hickman’s Family Farms following the discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza. As we mark this grim anniversary, new documents slowly being released through Animal …
That bargain pack of chicken at the grocery store looks like a win. Low prices. Family sized portions. Endless promotions. But the truth is simple — cheap chicken is not as “cheap” as it seems. When we pull back the curtain on industrial poultry production, we see a system built on concealed costs — economic, environmental, and moral — that …
Meet Maeve Smith, our inaugural Bill Ferguson Farm Transitions Fellow. This role honors the late Bill Ferguson, an Alabama chicken farmer who did something extraordinary: he walked away from the contract growing system and transformed his operation into Riley Creek Farms, a sustainable crop production model that’s thriving today under his family’s leadership. Bill showed us what’s possible when farmers …
Every day, parents, older siblings, teachers, and mentors face big questions from kids about the world around them. One of the most important questions is also one of the simplest — where does our food come from? At Animal Outlook, our mission is to create systemic change for animals through investigations, legal advocacy, and vegan outreach. That work is only …
Today we’re releasing something that took courage, patience, and months of meticulous undercover work—our return investigation of Cooke Aquaculture’s Maine salmon hatchery. Back in 2019, we exposed shocking cruelty at this facility. The company promised reforms. Industry certifiers gave their stamp of approval. But here’s what actually happened: workers openly mocked our first investigation while continuing to brutalize fish. One …
The USDA is considering proposals that would increase line speeds at chicken slaughterhouses from 140 to 175 birds per minute and at pig facilities to unlimited speeds. That’s nearly 3 birds killed every second. Animal Outlook is joining forces with leading organizations to fight this deregulation for chickens and pigs—and we’re taking this all the way. Why this matters: The …
Later this month, three members of our leadership team are heading to Toronto for the AVA International Summit—and we’re already anticipating what a moment this will be. Warren Egersheim, MPA, Angela de Freitas, and Erin W. don’t usually seek the stage. They’re the ones building sustainable funding models, sitting across the table from farmers ready to transition, and coordinating undercover …
Our legal team just filed what we believe is the first-ever lawsuit challenging battery cage egg sales against a company’s claim to uphold the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. The defendant? ALDI Inc. Here’s what went down behind the scenes: Back in 2016, ALDI made a very public promise to go 100% cage-free by 2025. They promoted it everywhere—press releases, …