United Poultry Concerns

Karen Davis and Hope Bohanec 20180310-0611

United Poultry Concerns (UPC) is an American animal rights organization that focuses on promoting the welfare and rights of domestic fowl, including chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Founded in 1990 by Karen Davis, the organization is based in Machipongo, Virginia. United Poultry Concerns advocates against the use of poultry in food production, emphasizing the ethical, environmental, and health issues associated with poultry farming.

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of United Poultry Concerns is to address and combat the suffering of domestic fowl in factory farming, slaughter, and other practices that exploit these animals. The organization engages in various activities to fulfill its mission, including educational campaigns, animal rescue, and legal advocacy. UPC also promotes veganism as a means to prevent the exploitation and harm of poultry and other animals.

Educational Campaigns

UPC conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness about the conditions of poultry in the agricultural industry. These campaigns often involve the distribution of literature, the organization of public speaking events, and the maintenance of an informative website. Topics covered include the benefits of a vegan diet, the environmental impact of poultry farming, and the intelligence and sentience of chickens and other birds.

Animal Rescue

United Poultry Concerns operates a sanctuary for rescued poultry in Virginia. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other birds rescued from abusive situations, including factory farms and cockfighting rings. At the sanctuary, these animals receive care and rehabilitation, allowing them to live out their lives in a peaceful and natural environment.

Legal Advocacy

UPC engages in legal advocacy efforts to improve the welfare standards for poultry. This includes lobbying for legislation that protects domestic fowl from cruel practices and working to enforce existing animal welfare laws. The organization also participates in legal actions and campaigns aimed at ending particularly inhumane practices, such as battery cages and forced molting.

Publications

United Poultry Concerns publishes a variety of materials to support its mission, including books, reports, and a quarterly magazine called Poultry Press. These publications cover topics related to poultry welfare, veganism, and the environmental impacts of poultry farming. Karen Davis, the founder of UPC, has authored several books on the subject of poultry and animal rights, contributing significantly to the literature in the field.

Controversies and Criticism

As with many animal rights organizations, United Poultry Concerns has faced criticism from individuals and groups within the agricultural industry. Critics argue that the organization's stance against poultry farming overlooks the economic and nutritional contributions of the industry. However, UPC maintains that its advocacy is grounded in ethical considerations and the belief in the inherent rights of all animals to live free from exploitation and harm.

See Also

• Animal welfare
• Veganism
• Factory farming
• Animal rights