Volume
70
Number
3
About the Cover
AWI seeks to improve the lives of animals everywhere, including animals raised for food. We promote farming systems that allow animals to live outdoors and engage in natural behaviors, and we fight against inhumane methods of slaughter. “Custom-exempt” slaughter—conducted at small plants catering mostly to hunters and individuals processing meat for their personal use—is expected to comply with the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. However, facilities designated as custom-exempt are subject to minimal oversight, and an AWI investigation found that animals at these plants are routinely subject to serious abuse.