Voordierenblogger: Eyes on Animals gives training to reduce extreme suffering in slaughterhouses in Turkey introducing 'stunning before slaughter' acceptable under Halal rules

IRISH CALF MARKET FINED

Remember our investigation on RTÉ television in Ireland in 2023? I spent a week with their journalists, together with Ethical Farming Ireland, exposing what happens to young unweaned calves at auctions before they get trucked to veal farms in the Netherlands.

During our investigations, we witnessed and documented serious rough handling at the markets.

Following our investigation, RTÉ went to court, and one of the markets we exposed has now been fined €4,000. It’s not the justice we dream of - real victory would be calves treated with care. But this fine is a strong warning that may help prevent future cruelty.

More fines based on 2023 findings are expected to be issued as I write, and we’ll be watching closely.

OUR PROJECT: STOPPING THE TRANSPORT OF UNWEANED CALVES
■ We are working to end the long-distance transport of unweaned calves from Ireland. These calves, only a few weeks old, face exhausting journeys without proper feeding or care. By documenting conditions, publishing evidence, and pressuring both Irish authorities and EU institutions, we push for stricter enforcement and lasting policy change.

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HUMANE SLAUGHTER SPREADS IN TURKEY

Our inspector Asalet returned to Turkey last week to follow up on slaughterhouses we trained in humane stunning practices there.

Good news: the cattle slaughterhouse near Ankara is still proudly using the captive bolt stunner we provided in 2022. Workers see the difference - less fear, less pain - and are convinced it aligns with Halal values.

Thousands of cattle have been spared suffering since then. Last week we gave them a brand-new stunner and refurbished the old one as a backup.

After years of building trust and respect, Asalet has made permanent changes to how animals are slaughtered. Here with the slaughterman in Ankara that continues to use the captive bolt stunner on all cattle since our first training in 2022.

Changing mentalities takes time, but this is real, lasting change. And it’s spreading. Imagine: Halal slaughterhouses in Turkey phasing out live hoisting and bleeding one day!

Challenges remain: not all visits brought good news. A sheep slaughterhouse near Ankara, trained last May, was not regularly using the electric stunner due to internal mismanagement.

Asalet immediately set up a new protocol with the veterinarian and ensured all 75 sheep that day were stunned. The vet is now in charge of stunning and will report back.

Step by step, change is taking root. We won’t give up.

Asalet never gives up. He patiently trains and conducts follow-up visits until the animals actually get the mercy they so badly need, as he did at this sheep abattoir near Ankara.

OUR PROJECT: REDUCE THE EXTREME SUFFERING IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES IN TURKEY
■ We help introduce stunning before slaughter in Turkey. Many animals there are still killed fully conscious, causing extreme suffering. By training slaughterhouse staff, providing equipment, and working with religious and veterinary authorities, we promote stunning as both humane and acceptable under Halal rules.

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GENTLER CHICKEN-CATCHING GAINS GROUND

Our inspector Madelaine gave two well-received talks in Germany on upright chicken catching this summer, one at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover and one to officials from Kassel. Over 80 official veterinarians attended the meetings.

In the Netherlands we have succeeded in getting all Demeter and Kipster farms to switch to upright catching, as well as all farms selling eggs at EkoPlaza. Now Germany is taking notice too!

Madelaine, full of positive and professional energy, is spreading upright chicken-catching to Germany.

OUR PROJECT: UPRIGHT CATCHING
■ We promote a gentler upright method of catching chickens. Instead of grabbing birds by their legs and stuffing them into crates—a practice that causes pain and injuries—this method lifts chickens in a natural, upright position. We train catching teams and show the poultry industry that a more humane and practical alternative is possible.

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HELPING CONSUMERS DROP FACTORY FARMING

While visiting my parents in Canada during my summer holiday, I met some small local free-range farmers. They are raising pigs, cattle, chickens and even turkeys outdoors, with plenty of space and lots of compassion.

These small Canadian farmers chose this path, giving animals a happy, healthy life before they enter the food system.

Train Whistle Farm in Canada, where animals are raised with respect and reciprocity.

Together with two of the farmers I am organizing a community talk for next year, to help convince locals to switch to these kinder, small-scale farms and reduce their dependence on industrial animal agriculture.

I know many people in this beautiful lake area of Canada. A few are vegan, some vegetarian, but many will not give up meat completely. But if they are willing to get off of factory farming and only support local kind farmers, what a positive change that could be.

We already estimate 50 locals to attend!

OUR PROJECT: PROMOTING "BETTER FARMERS"
■ We encourage consumers to choose alternatives to factory farming. By promoting small-scale farms where animals are treated with respect, we show that more ethical and sustainable options exist. This project highlights “better farmers” and helps consumers support them through their choices.

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ANOTHER FARM ADOPTS STUNNING IN GHANA

Safian and Satar from our Ghana team recently trained farmhands, managers, and slaughtermen at Pretty Piper Pig Farm.

The training focused on more ethical housing - such as adding extra water sources and providing rooting material - and on humane slaughter methods.

Instead of the widespread practice of using wooden clubs, staff learned to use a captive bolt stunner. Ethical tools like this are normally not available in Ghana.

Safian explaining how to humanely handle pigs with a captive bolt stunner, to put an end to clubbing pigs in Ghana.

This is not the first farm we have equipped with a stunner and training - and it won’t be the last. Our mission is clear: to end the clubbing of pigs in Ghana.

Since the training in early August, staff are now using the captive bolt stunner - for slaughter, and to end the suffering of sick or injured pigs.

Their attention and commitment give us real hope for lasting change.

OUR PROJECT: STOP CLUBBING TO DEATH OF PIGS IN GHANA
■ We work to end the clubbing of pigs in Ghana. Current slaughter methods are extremely cruel, with pigs beaten to death using wooden clubs. We introduce humane alternatives by providing captive bolt stunners and training slaughterhouse staff. This way, pigs can be stunned before slaughter, reducing suffering and setting new standards for animal welfare.

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SOMETHING MORE PERSONAL: ZIGGY MY NEW DOG

Let me end with a personal story of love and resilience.

Ziggy, a small dog rescued by the grassroots group Bali Paws in 2024, suffered from severe mange and a failing heart. I learned about him through a book on dog rescue in Asia and soon connected with the sisters behind the organization.

Ziggy before and after - thanks to Bali Paws.

Today Ziggy lives with me and my partner. He is thriving, loved, and full of life.

But Bali Paws needs help. They care for countless neglected and abused street dogs in Indonesia, providing medical treatment, sterilization, and adoption. Their shelter is free-range, their staff walk, play with, and care for every single dog. Most importantly, they give animals like Ziggy a real second chance.

If you have a few euros to spare, please consider donating to Bali Paws. Their work is concrete, urgent, and driven by pure compassion - the kind we deeply admire. Click here to donate.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and believing that better is possible.

Each step, each act of kindness - it all adds up. Together, we are changing the story for animals.

Love from Lesley (with Ziggy)