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Residents of the Commonwealth have shown time and time again that they support commonsense protections for animals, the environment, and food safety. In November 2016, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote YES! on a ballot measure to implement a modest animal protection reform. A YES! vote will prevent farm animals from being crammed into cages so small they can’t even turn around or extend their limbs. A YES! vote will also ensure that certain food items sold in the Commonwealth are compliant with these modest standards. Major companies like Dunkin’ Donuts, Walmart and McDonald’s are already making similar improvements. Within days or even hours of birth, calves raised for veal are often chained by their necks in crates too narrow to turn around or lie down comfortably. The crates essentially immobilize these playful, energetic creatures, preventing them from engaging in almost any natural behaviors. This lack of movement inhibits natural muscle development, often to such an extent that the calves are unable to walk to slaughter. Pigs are highly social and intelligent animals. For years, female pigs used for breeding are confined in crates only two feet wide—so small the animals can’t even turn around or take more than a step forward or backward. This extreme immobilization atrophies the pigs’ muscles and bones. Since these inquisitive animals are denied mental stimulation, many become neurotic and exhibit coping behaviors, such as repetitive biting of the bars in front of them. On many egg factory farms, hens are crammed into cages so small the birds can't even spread their wings. Packed five or more to a cage, each hen is forced to spend her whole life in a meager amount of space that’s smaller than an iPad. Virtually unable to move, the hens can't engage in almost any of their natural behaviors, such as perching, nesting, foraging or even walking more than a few steps. In cages, chickens may suffer from bone fractures, feather-loss, and metabolic disease; some hens even become caught in the wire and die of starvation, unable to reach the food or water just inches away from them. Help prevent cruelty to farm animals by volunteering for the Citizens for Farm Animal Protection campaign. Even if it's just a few hours here and there, we welcome your support. Thanks for being a part of this historic effort for farm animals!