County Fairs

[Seonta]

I attended the fair for the county I lived in last summer and was horrified by the way that the animals were being housed for fair week. All of the rabbits were crammed in cages where they couldn't so much as turn around, most had fur sticking out through the chicken wire. The ones for sale did not even have water available for the hours during the fair as they were in carry out cages squished down in a forced laying position. The goats and cattle had nothing they could munch on, and most goats had their poor ears cut off... why? I don't know.
I couldn't stay longer than five minutes, I wish I would have had my pictures (mostly to make an anti fair website for this county). I know some years they have guinea pigs for sale as well... and they are mostly kept in the same condition as the rabbits except more than one to a cage.
I bring this up because I know soon the county fair signs are going to go up and all those children who raise sheep, goats, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other farm life are going to take them in and watch them get purchased... I guess no one tells their kids that the majority of those animals are going to be killed in the winter months for food. And no one seems to blink at the disturbing way that the animals are caged while they are awaiting purchase.
I know that I will not be attending another fair, at least in this county. Has anyone else ever attended one of these? Are all of them horrible? Why do people think that animals can be caged from early morning to early evening in these tiny cages?

[werevamper]

I've gone to my towns fair a few times in the past few years and have never seen poor conditions. All the animals have more than enough room for multiple animals to turn around (including the cattle and pigs), and have food and water.

I haven't seen any guinea pigs but the rabbits are in cages around the size of the my first pet sets from SuperPet.

I'm glad my fair isn't like yours. I'd never go to it.

[Seonta]

Well I know I won't be going to it again. Maybe I'll try a different county... this one is just disgusting.

[Paula]

I don't know that I'd be surprised by the wretched conditions at fairs, honestly. The animals there are not considered to be sentient creatures, they're just stock. They're there either for show or to be sold, or both, so even if it seems they're treated relatively well at the fair, the purpose they're serving while there shouldn't be overlooked. No matter what the conditions may appear to be - good or bad - the idea of having animals at fairs is disgusting. The only animals being sold at fairs are from breeders or 4-H and best avoided altogether because it's only meant to promote more of the same.

Are all of them horrible?

The simple answer is yes. Raising animals for food is one thing, but the notion that they'd also be shown and judged for their appearance, combined with what is often an absolute disregard for their well being and comfort, or even an acknowledgement that they are living, breathing things, is appalling.

[Seonta]

Thanks for that post, I think I'm going to avoid the fairs afterall- I don't want my money going to support that sort of behavior.

[keehnle]

I always avoid going over to the animals at the fair. My heart just cant take it..