Shocked at the way pigs are treated to make bacon and ham? Wondering if you should stop eating pork altogether in protest? If you are, then we're right behind you!

Making a choice to help pigs

Avoiding pork products is really the most effective way to not contribute to pig cruelty. This will also send the strongest message possible to the New Zealand pork industry.

The other option you have of course is to choose to only eat free-range pork, bacon and ham products. Choosing free range does mean you're ensuring pigs have a better life compared to factory farmed pigs living inside disgusting ‘fattening' pens. However, there are some important things you should know before choosing this option.

Shopping for pork

Most pig products in supermarkets in New Zealand are not adequately labelled. Unless it clearly states on the packaging, it is almost impossible to buy anything with any kind of assurance that it isn't factory farmed.

Organic pig products however are typically free range. The RNZSPCA also has an approved accreditation scheme that sets free-range standards. Pig farmers are slowly adopting free-range farming methods due to consumer demand and a Google search for "free range pigs" will offer some sources.

Almost every café, fast-food chain, restaurant or takeaway bar that sells pork products will be unable to tell you if the pork they sell comes from free-range pigs. If your local eateries can't tell you either, let them know this is not good enough. You could be the one that encourages them to stop supporting factory farming!

Saving her bacon!

The average age of a piglet ready for slaughter is a mere 16 weeks of age. It is important to note that even free-range farms can use husbandry practices that are stressful or painful. Even if pigs are treated in the most caring way possible, every animal must endure a terrifying journey to the slaughterhouse and be killed in a way that is often brutal and painful. Pigs are sensitive, intelligent and inquisitive animals, which makes this gruesome process even harder to comprehend. It is why many New Zealanders have chosen to completely avoid eating ham or bacon and to even become totally meat-free!

As an animal advocacy organisation dedicated to helping to save animals from cruelty SAFE does not promote farming animals for food. Click here for delicious meat-free recipes.