Help stop farm animal cruelty

I'm a volunteer signature gatherer helping to put a measure on the ballot for November 2016.

This measure would end the cruel confinement of veal calves, egg-laying hens, and pigs, and ensure products sold in our state meet the same requirements. The cruelty is unacceptable. Calves are often chained by their necks in crates too narrow to turn around in or lie down comfortably. Hens are crammed in to cages so small that they can't spread their wings. Female pigs used for breeding are confined in crates 2 feet wide—they can't turn around or take more than a step forward or backward. These animals endure lifelong suffering. Cramming them into tiny cages promotes spread of disease.

If you believe, as I do, that all animals deserve at least the space to turn around and extend their limbs, and that we need to know that the food we feed our families is safe, please look for signature volunteers at supermarkets, shopping malls, local events, etc. Or, go to www.citizensforfarmanimals.com/sign to request a petition form. You can also get your friends and family to sign. We need 95,000 signatures before November.

We are lucky to live in a state where we have the power to make a significant change for the life of farm animals and the safety of our food.

Heidi Kimball, First Parish Road