Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

Our Hen House presents an eye-opening conversation about the growing movement to limit factory farming through state legislation, focusing on New York’s efforts while exploring the broader national implications. This episode explores how advocates are working to address the environmental devastation and animal suffering caused by industrial animal agriculture through policy change. This episode explores: The details of New York’s proposed legislation to ban new large-scale factory farms and its potential impact on the dairy industry How agricultural policy has shifted to favor massive industrial operations at the expense of smaller, independent farms The connection between factory farms, climate change, and the troubling rise of “biogas” as a false climate solution How coalitions of environmental, animal welfare, and community groups are finding success in states like Oregon The political challenges of regulating factory farms and strategies for building public awareness about these issues ABOUT OUR GUESTS Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. She is a lifelong resident of the Upper West Side and serves as Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee. Since taking office in 2006, Assemblymember Rosenthal has passed more than 200 laws that have helped to improve the lives of all New York State residents. Rosenthal is a leading advocate for animal welfare, having passed the first-in-the-nation ban on cat declawing, ending the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores and prohibiting the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. She has also passed laws protecting survivors of domestic violence, preserving affordable housing, strengthening women’s rights, environmental protection, data privacy and more. Alex Beauchamp is the Northern Region Director with the national advocacy organization Food & Water Watch. He is based in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Krissy Kasserman is the Factory Farm Organizing Director with the national advocacy organization Food & Water Watch. She is based in Pender County, North Carolina. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this candid conversation, Jasmin and Mariann explore how animal advocates maintain their focus during politically challenging times, reminding listeners that their commitment to changing the world for animals remains central even when everything else feels overwhelming. This episode explores: How animal rights activism provides perspective during politically tumultuous times Zoe Rosenberg’s trial for rescuing chickens from a Purdue slaughterhouse Colombia’s groundbreaking constitutional court ban on bullfighting and other cruel animal spectacles The successful community opposition that stopped Charles River Laboratories from building a primate testing facility in Texas Jasmin’s thrifting tip for finding affordable vegan leather items on Shop Goodwill’s website Preview of an upcoming interview with Food and Water Watch about limiting factory farm expansion at the state level RESOURCES Felony Animal Rescue Trial Begins Colombia’s Constitutional Court Not Only Upholds Bullfighting Ban, But Bans More Animal Spectacles SIGN: STOP PLANS TO BUILD RESEARCH PRIMATE HOUSING FACILITY IN TEXAS Lament of Hathor We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Dive into the absurdities of the meat industry, from ridiculous claims linking AI to protein production to the troubling rollback of slaughterhouse waste regulations by the EPA. Explore how Temple Grandin's mythology serves as a smokescreen for industry practices, and marvel at a significant legal victory that empowers advocates to prosecute animal cruelty. The shocking rise in beef production per cow showcases a grim reality while the notion of AI reshaping livestock practices prompts vital questions about animal welfare.

What happens when a casual vegan dinner leads to one of the most significant open rescue cases in US animal rights history? This week, we’re joined by Adam Durand, who went from rule-following citizen to jailbird activist after exposing conditions at Wegmans Egg Farm back in 2004. Adam shares the wild journey of sneaking into a factory farm with a ragtag crew, rescuing hens who then lived long sanctuary lives, distributing DVDs via BitTorrent (oh, the early 2000s!), and ultimately facing down a vindictive judge who sentenced him beyond what the law allowed. All because he couldn’t unsee what he saw inside those dusty, forgotten sheds filled with living beings. In this episode: How a simple vegan dinner party in 2002 set Adam on his path to activism The shocking discovery of Wegmans’ “mechanical monstrosity” housing 750,000 hens The rescue of 13 birds, 11 of whom went on to live long lives at sanctuaries Adam’s experience facing felony charges that could have meant 21 years in prison What it was like serving time in jail, including being forced to serve eggs to inmates The concept of “vystopia” and how activists can care for themselves while fighting for animals Adam’s current work protesting Marshall BioResources, America’s largest breeder of beagles for experimentation Why animal sanctuaries remain vital to both rescue work and movement building Adam’s story reminds us that individual actions matter, courage is contagious, and sometimes the most effective activism comes from ordinary people willing to question “how it’s always been done.” ABOUT OUR GUEST Adam Durand is a videographer and animal rights activist with over two decades of history in the movement. He gained recognition in 2005 for exposing cruelty at Wegmans Egg Farm in a case where he spent 35 days in jail before being released by an appellate court. Adam’s advocacy has included open rescues, strategic campaigns, and support for farm animal sanctuaries such as Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary where he serves as a Lead Caregiver. His impact has been featured in national publications (including earlier this year in Vox) and cited by Our Hen House’s own Mariann Sullivan. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, we welcome back our favorite constitutional law scholar and wingman Michael Dorf to dish about the viral saga of Peanut the Squirrel. What started as a heartbreaking story about a beloved social media star squirrel and his raccoon friend Fred—both killed by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation under troubling circumstances—turned into a fascinating case study of how animal issues can transcend political divides. Episode Highlights: The Peanut Saga: How a rescued squirrel—and social media sensation—was seized and killed by New York authorities, sparking widespread outrage The surprising demographic of Peanut supporters who aren’t typically perceived as aligned with animal rights causes Activism Opportunities: How animal advocates might reach new audiences through individual animal stories Political Divisions: The challenges of building coalitions across political lines for animal causes Intersectionality Challenges: The potential costs and benefits of linking animal rights to broader social justice movements Philosophical Foundations: The problem with “they were bred for this purpose” arguments RESOURCES Dorf on Law blog If we didn’t eat them, they wouldn’t exist The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Dive into the chaotic world of the meat industry, where Texas faces legal turmoil over its cultivated meat ban, intended to shield beef producers. Discover the outrageous decision of 20 states declaring milk as their official beverage while Indiana wisely opts for water. Uncover the heartbreaking incident at a Colorado dairy, where a toxic gas tragedy took six lives, exposing serious safety lapses. The podcast pairs humor with activism, revealing the absurdities and dangers lurking in animal agriculture.

In her eye-opening book, Rethinking Rescue, journalist Carol Mithers examines how poverty and economic inequality create impossible choices for pet owners who love their animals but lack resources to keep them. Through the remarkable story of Lori Wiese, who pioneered community-based animal care in Los Angeles’ most underserved neighborhoods, Mithers demonstrates not only that we can’t adopt our way out of shelter overcrowding, but that we must address the socioeconomic barriers that force beloved pets from their homes in the first place. With veterinary costs skyrocketing, housing in short supply, and judgment sometimes replacing compassion, Mithers challenges us to see animal welfare through a social justice lens and recognize that keeping pets with the families who love them is both more humane and more effective than traditional rescue models. Key Points: Rising veterinary costs have outpaced human healthcare, making even basic care unaffordable for many Housing insecurity and “no pets” policies are major drivers of animal surrender Reclamation fees at shelters often prevent low-income owners from retrieving lost pets Community-based veterinary clinics and support services keep animals in homes they already have Spay/neuter access remains critical but requires culturally sensitive approaches Animal care can be an entry point for addressing other social needs, like legal problems and mental health issues The myth of the “ideal pet home” (suburban, middle-class) ignores diverse positive human-animal bonds ABOUT OUR GUEST Journalist Carol Mithers has written extensively about extraordinary people and cultural movements for over three decades, with work appearing in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, and numerous other publications. Her latest book, “Rethinking Rescue: Dog Lady and the Story of America’s Forgotten People and Pets”—praised as “revelatory and provocative” by the Washington Post and selected as an NPR Book of the Day—chronicles how Lori Weise’s groundbreaking work created a safety net for both people and pets in LA’s struggling neighborhoods, demonstrating that social justice and animal welfare are intrinsically connected. Mithers previously co-authored “Mighty Be Our Powers” with Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee (a Dayton Literary Peace Prize finalist) and wrote “Therapy Gone Mad” about a 1970s psychotherapy cult. Her recent Capital & Main piece on pet ownership and eviction earned an L.A. Press Club Award. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this eye-opening episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan welcome back Jan Dutkiewicz, professor of political science at Pratt Institute and co-author of the forthcoming book Feed the People: Why Industrial Food is Good and How to Make it Even Better. The conversation centers on a problematic New York Times article about animal rights activism in Sonoma County, which Jan critiques as “journalistic malpractice” for its misrepresentation of Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) and its failure to mention key investigations into factory farming operations hiding behind a “humane” facade. Jan explains how the article reinforces harmful myths about small-scale farming while dismissing legitimate animal welfare concerns, and discusses how these issues connect to his upcoming book’s examination of food systems, environmental impacts, and the impossibility of scaling “humane” animal agriculture to meet current consumption demands. Episode Highlights: Media Criticism: Jan provides a detailed critique of a recent New York Times article that misrepresents animal rights activism in Sonoma County and fails to mention crucial investigations by DXE that exposed factory farming operations. The Reichert Duck Farm Case: Discussion of how the article completely omits mention of the Reichert Duck Farm investigation, which exposed inhumane factory farming conditions hidden behind a “humane” marketing facade. Sonoma County’s Self-Image: Analysis of how the article uncritically accepts Sonoma County’s self-portrayal as a haven for humane farming despite voters rejecting a ballot initiative to ban factory farming. Legal Injustice: Examination of how courts in Sonoma County refused to allow animal rights activists to present the necessity defense or show evidence of animal suffering, unlike in Utah where similar evidence led to acquittals. Food System Myths: Jan discusses his forthcoming book “Feed the People,” explaining how small-scale “regenerative” farming is neither environmentally superior on a per-animal basis nor scalable to meet current consumption demands. Environmental Impact: Explanation of the “cow not the how” principle – that the environmental impact of animal agriculture depends more on what animals are raised rather than how they’re raised. Book Preview: Jan shares insights from his upcoming book (available February 17th) about industrial food systems, environmental impacts, and the need for more plant-based food production at scale. Media Responsibility: Discussion of how journalists should approach stories about animal rights activism with proper context, explaining both normative positions and factual investigations rather than reinforcing stereotypes. RESOURCES A California County Embraces Humane Farming. These Animal Activists Demand More. Preorder “Feed the People” We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this week’s episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan examines several developments causing concern within the meat industry. From evolving shareholder activism tactics to questionable comparisons between cultivated meat and lab-grown diamonds, the episode reveals how animal agriculture interests are responding to various challenges while continuing to rely on government support and biased media coverage. This episode explores: The evolution of shareholder activism tactics as reported by the Animal Agriculture Alliance How the meat industry is responding to cultivated meat through questionable comparisons and claims British meat industry’s ridiculous statements about UK mega-farms  The shortage of animal agriculture veterinarians and the government’s helpful response The spread of unfounded bankruptcy rumors about Beyond Meat and what it reveals about media coverage of plant-based alternatives   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

This episode of the Animal Law Podcast features Christopher Berry, Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, discussing a groundbreaking court case that recognizes companion animals as family members in certain legal contexts. Mariann and Christopher explore how this New York decision challenges decades of precedent that treated beloved pets as mere property rather than family, potentially opening new doors for animal legal rights. This episode explores: The absurd legal status of companion animals in tort law, including a Texas case where a taxidermied dog would receive more legal protection than a living one The facts of a landmark New York case involving a family dog killed in a crosswalk accident How courts are beginning to recognize companion animals as family members in negligent infliction of emotional distress claims The perverse incentives created by current laws that often make it “better” to kill than injure an animal The broader implications for animal rights and the Non-Human Rights Project’s work on procedural rights for animals This compelling conversation highlights how the legal system’s treatment of companion animals reflects deeper inequities in our relationship with all animals, and how common law evolution can help change the world for animals through the legal system. ABOUT OUR GUEST Christopher Berry is Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, where he leads the organization’s groundbreaking legal effort to secure fundamental legal rights for nonhuman animals. Before joining the NhRP in 2024, he spent over a decade at the Animal Legal Defense Fund focusing on civil enforcement of animal protection laws and elevating animal legal status through strategic litigation.   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. ********** You can listen to the Animal Law Podcast directly on our website (at the top of this page) or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Don’t forget to also listen to the award-winning,  weekly signature OHH podcast — now in its fifteenth glorious year!