Today, we visited a large broiler slaughterhouse in the Dutch province of North Holland. Due to the hot weather, we wanted to see what measures the slaughterhouse had taken to prevent heat stress as much as possible. One truck parked in the sun outside the canopyWe first drove to a parking area a few kilometres from the slaughterhouse, where poultry truck drivers have … [Read more...] about Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in the Dutch province of North Holland on a hot day
animal welfare inspection
Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Today, we paid an unannounced visit to a broiler slaughterhouse in Overijssel, the Netherlands. With temperatures reaching around 30 °C, we wanted to see whether the slaughterhouse had taken measures to prevent heat stress as much as possible, such as reducing loading densities and carefully planning arrivals to avoid waiting times. We also wanted to see the facilities in … [Read more...] about Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Visiting poultry farms to share good practices
Over the past few weeks, Eyes on Animals visited several dozen poultry farms across the Netherlands to talk about our project promoting the upright catching of chickens (instead of carrying them upside down by their legs) and about more humane ways to kill sick and injured birds. These are not always easy topics to discuss, but they are important ones. This time, we … [Read more...] about Visiting poultry farms to share good practices
Our 2025 Annual Review is now available
Read about how your support enabled Eyes on Animals' teams to work in the field throughout 2025. Our teams were taking direct, practical action where animal suffering was at its worst. Reducing suffering immediately while creating lasting improvements on farms, during transport and in slaughterhouses worldwide. Together, donors and inspectors, are turning compassionate … [Read more...] about Our 2025 Annual Review is now available
Heat stress inspection at a large slaughterhouse
Yesterday, we were in the field monitoring how pigs were coping with the extreme heat during transport. At one large Dutch slaughterhouse, we observed four trucks carrying pigs waiting to unload. One truck was parked in direct sunlight. When our team arrived, the driver left the parking area and began driving around to create airflow for the pigs. Another driver whom we … [Read more...] about Heat stress inspection at a large slaughterhouse
Visits to Two Additional Pig Farms During the Heatwave
At the second farm, we likewise did not observe signs of severe heat stress. Many pigs were lying down, inactive, and panting, behaviours commonly associated with efforts to cope with high temperatures. On this farm, the water-misting system was operating, providing additional cooling within the barn. Based on what we were able to observe, the farmers appeared to be … [Read more...] about Visits to Two Additional Pig Farms During the Heatwave
Visit to Dutch Pig Farms During the Heatwave
Out of respect for the farmer involved, we will not disclose the name or location of the farm. However, during today's heatwave, we visited several large Dutch pig farms to observe how the animals were coping with the extreme temperatures. With outdoor temperatures reaching approximately 33°C, signs of heat stress were evident throughout the facility. Many of the … [Read more...] about Visit to Dutch Pig Farms During the Heatwave
Introducing a major German retailer to a practical and more humane alternative to CO₂ stunning
Today we hosted the animal welfare manager of a large German supermarket chain, together with a veterinarian from the Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V., for a visit to a large pig slaughterhouse where pigs are automatically stunned using electricity instead of the highly aversive CO₂ gas. Pigs exposed to CO₂ experience 15–30 seconds of intense panic and pain before losing … [Read more...] about Introducing a major German retailer to a practical and more humane alternative to CO₂ stunning
Follow-up visit to a second cattle slaughterhouse in Tekirdağ region: temporarily reducing extreme suffering of downer cows
During a recent unannounced follow-up visit by Eyes on Animals to another cattle slaughterhouse in the Tekirdağ region of Turkey, we again encountered multiple downer dairy cows—animals arriving unable to stand or walk. The cows showed clear signs of severe distress, including rapid breathing, trembling, and shock. Such animals are already badly injured or sick at … [Read more...] about Follow-up visit to a second cattle slaughterhouse in Tekirdağ region: temporarily reducing extreme suffering of downer cows
Follow-up check on Çorlu cattle slaughterhouse, Turkey
The slaughterhouse in Çorlu (Turkey) was the first one that was interested in improving animal welfare and was ready to stun cattle at their plant. We bought a really good pneumatic stunner from the company EFA and installed it about 8 years ago for them. The workers learned how to use it. Joanne McArthur from WeAnimals was with us to document this breakthrough. Sadly … [Read more...] about Follow-up check on Çorlu cattle slaughterhouse, Turkey
