What is this about “open rescue”?

Open rescue is a way of helping animals in which people rescue them from whatever confinement they are being held in and take them to a home run by responsible people who will look after them in the way they deserve. It is called open rescue because it is carried out openly. The action is not denied and it is announced as a legitimate way of helping others.

Why have you rescued pigs in particular?

The main reason for rescuing pigs is because we found a suitable farm in which to carry out a rescue and we were able to find people who would take care of them – first in a temporary shelter and later in a permanent home – Although originally we were searching for a chicken or rabbit farm – animals for whom we already have a home waiting – we stumbled upon a pig concentration camp which was easily accessible.

Why only six?

The truth is that it’s very difficult to rescue six animals and have to leave all the rest behind, knowing the abuse and fate that awaits them. We wish we could take them all out of there but our capacity is limited and we have to remember that in Spain alone more than 37 million pigs live in the same situation (as well as 120 million ‘laying hens’, 540 million chickens raised for meat, 7.5 million cows and calves and countless fish in fish farms). When rescuing an animal we are taking direct responsibility for their lives and, as such, it is vital to make sure that they never go back to being slaves. A factor which limits the number of animals which you can rescue is the number of responsible people able to take care of them and to make sure that they live the way they deserve. If there were more responsible people able and willing to take animals in, more animals would be rescued.

Buy this doesn’t reduce the demand for meat or help to change society.

Whilst it’s trae that rescuing animals doesn’t reduce the demand for meat, it reduces, at least temporarily, the number of animals being exploited, since there is no magic wand to make six pigs appear in the place of those rescued. 
We know that the route of the problem is, at the end of the day, the demand of the consumers and that it is fundamentally important to direct our efforts towards changing attitudes. Although it’s true that rescuing an animal doesn’t necessarily change the way the people perceive animals, it undeniably the life of the rescued individual forever.
As we raise awareness of our rescue, we help people to reflect upon the direct consequences that our decisions on consumption have on other animals. If we think its important for society to change, we need to start with ourselves, to go vegan and to help others to do the same. We don’t need to depend on others, its up to each one of us.

How did you choose who to rescue from the farm?

It’s hard to have to choose who to free and give a happy life in which they will be respected as equals, and who to leave behind, submitted to a life of abuse.
In the end we took a mixture of those who didn’t run away with the rest of the piglets and those who seemed most likely to survive. Although we would have liked nothing more than to leave the farm empty, we couldn’t save the mothers due to their size and we couldn’t save more piglets because we couldn’t provide more homes for them. Whilst each piglet is about the size of a cat at the moment, they will probably grow to weigh 200 kg.

How did you do it?

Before carrying out the rescue we investigated a variety of areas and farms until finding a suitable one. Prepared with all the equipment needed, we entered the farm building without breaking anything and began lifting baby pigs out of the window whilst others filed everything. Less than 20 minutes later we were on our way back with six new friends. For a more detailed description of events: Click here

But you have stolen six pigs. That’s a crime.

Sadly, animals are considered property and taking these innocent pigs out of their prison is legally considered a crime. We believe that we have not stolen anything because no animal (human or non-human) should be considered as a thing, or as somebody’s property. They were animals who needed help and we have provided them with help, rescuing them.

This doesn’t change anything. There are a lot more.

For each one of the pigs saved, it has changed everything. They were being exploited in order to later be murdered. In their new home they will live peacefully, considered as others instead of as property and will never have to fear again.
In 2006 they killed 37 million pigs in Spain alone. The figures don’t do justice to the exploited animals since they stop us thinking about the individuals behind the numbers. Lets not forget that each one of them is a unique individual with their own thoughts, feelings and experiences and, like us, they can never be replaced.

Why don’t you hide your faces? If you show yourselves in the photographs and video you could be recognised and charged…

Sometimes advances are achieved at the cost of certain risks and sacrifices and we are willing to accept the consequences in order to help the animals. Almost a year ago some of us chained ourselves to a slaughterhouse in the outskirts of Madrid and charges of coercion were brought against us. It was the first case we know of against animal rights activists in Spain. In the end we were absolved of all charges and we still relieve that in certain situations it is necessary to take risks. It is only thanks to those who have risked protesting against injustices in the past that social advance has come about.

But you might be accused of theft.

If in the end we are reported, it will be another obstacle which we will have to face in the struggle for animal rights, and we will try to make the most of it to help them. Since non-human animals are considered property we will claim in court that this status needs to change and that they should be considered as individuals with their own interests that deserve to be respected. We maintain and will continue to maintain that we have not stolen anything from anyone. We have rescued individuals who needed our help.

The sentence for what you have done could be between one and three years in prison.

Though this would depend on various factors, it is true that such a risk exists and we will obviously try to avoid a prison sentence.

And what causes you to break the law?

Due to the fact that we who respect animals are still a minority, its vital that we gain support and that fewer and fewer people continue enslaving animals and, as such, it is important to bare in mind how we will be perceived by the public. However, we consider the fact that an action is illegal does not always mean the action is unjust (remember that human slavery was once legal in many countries which prohibit it nowadays). And nor does the fact an action is illegal necessarily mean that society will reject it unequivocally. On occasion, certain illegal but right actions can spark social change, as was the case when Rosa Parks refused to give up a seat reserved for “white passengers” on a public bus.
We consider rescues of animals to be legitimate actions which form part of a collection of actions of civil disobedience which have traditionally been employed by a diversity of social movements.
We have not stolen property but we have rescued animals who needed help. We sincerely believe that actions like this can help to open people eyes to non-human animal oppression and get people thinking about the role each of us play in this. Society accepts and respects the rescue of dogs and cats (who are born, bought, sold and used in many ways by humans). We have simply taken a step further in rescuing those the majority of society consider as nothing more than food.

Do you plan on doing it again?

Yes, without doubt. We will soon announce similar actions on this very website. Please check back.

And what can I do to help animals?

If you still aren’t vegan, take the step and don’t look back. During our lives, thousands of animals are exploited and murdered to satisfy our personal demand for animal products. Every one of us who goes vegan is saving animals. Few things are as easy and help as much as to stop participating in animal exploitation.

How can I help your group?

Of course, we always need help. Think for a moment about the number of animals being exploited today and you will realise the enormity of the work we have ahead of us. Your help would be most welcome.
• You can contact us to find out if we are active where you live. You can also help us in many other ways, including: researching animal abuse, writing reports, design, photography, proposing ideas, etc. Write to us at info@animalequality.net Your help is very important.
• You can make a donation to Animal Equality, helping us to cope with the many costs involved in working for animals. You can also donate materials (IT equipment, cameras, dvds, office material, etc.) which will help us reduce our costs and make the most of our limited resources.
• You can become a member of Animal Equality