About Animal Liberation Aotearoa

Following the death of Suzanne Carey in February 2008 it was decided to dissolve Auckland Animal Action (AAA). For over 11 years AAA consistently acted as a voice against all forms of animal abuse. They have spoken and acted against the horrors of vivisection, have called attention to the plight of factory-farmed animals, taken action against the horrors of the fur trade, supported and reported the actions of the Animal Liberation Front, spoken out against state and police repression and called attention to the crimes of corporations such as McDonalds, deploring their exploitation of animals, the environment and humanity.

After a short break Animal Liberation Aotearoa was formed in April 2008 with the following aims:

 - To expose individuals and industries involved in animal abuse

 - To educate the public about the plight of animals

 - To rescue and rehome animals and provide others with the skills to do the same

 - To take action

Expose and Educate

ALA aims to act as a source of information about the plight of animals in Aotearoa. We do this through several means including a website, farm tours, workshops and investigations. 

FARM TOURS: every few months ALA organise tours to local factory farms. The aim of these tours is to show meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans and animal rights activists firsthand the overcrowded and filthy conditions that millions of animals are forced to endure every day of their miserable lives. These farm tours enable people to smell, hear and see factory farms in a way that film screenings, workshops and talks cannot. In 2009 we hope to bring these tours to areas outside of Auckland to enable others to have this experience, who we are fighting for and see why the animals need us.

WORKSHOPS: last year ALA held an interactive workshop about vivisection and a workshop preceeded each farm tour. We also held a small workshop for animal rights activists on dealing with media. Generally these are open to anybody who has an interest in the plight of animals. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn, meet other people and get involved in order to help the animals. In 2009 we aim to hold more of these workshops and also hold film screenings.

INVESTIGATIONS: ALA recognises the importance of investigating and exposing companies, industries and people involved in animal abuse. We have recently formed a group, under the ALA umbrella, to undertake investigations into various aspects of animal abuse in Aotearoa and use this information to inform the public and media. Recently we completed an overview investigation into the meat industry; we documented the conditions ducks, pigs, broiler chickens, sheep, cows and goats are forced to endure in Aotearoa. This investigation involved filming on pastoral farms, factory farms and in slaughterhouses. This footage was collated into a documentary called ‘Who Are You Having For Dinner: the reality of meat  production in New Zealand’.

Rescue and Rehome 

ALA is actively involved in animal rescue and rehoming. In 2008 we rehomed several hundred battery hens, rescued an abandoned calf from a dairy farm and 11 cats who were abandoned by someone in Glen Eden. These animals have all been placed in fantastic new homes.

Most recently ALA has started helping with the care of a cat colony in South Auckland. This work involves feeding the cats, catching and de-sexing them and rehoming those that can be.

We will continue this work, rescuing and rehoming animals in 2009 as well as encouraging and up skilling others to do the same. We plan on holding workshops for anyone and everyone about how to care for animals such as ex-battery hens, abandoned kittens and injured birds. We also aim to build up resources on the ALA website to aid people in caring for animals in need.

Taking Action 

ALA also takes action. We have a campaign against companies and individuals involved with Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). HLS are Europe’s largest contract animal testing facility. There is an international campaign against HLS and all those involved with them. There are several companies in Aotearoa who have involvement with HLS. We have held a couple of demo’s at the homes of GlaxoSmithKline directors, including on Christmas Day. GSK are HLS’s number one customer. If you would like to get involved please email stophls@yahoo.com.

ALA are in full support of open rescue, the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front.

See you on the streets and in the factory farms.

Love and solidarity

ALA