OklahomaHorses Magazine November 2022

November / December 2022 • OklahomaHorses 25 educate, prevent, and respond to interspe- cies violence. Using the human-animal bond for the betterment of animals and people, Dr. Stau- bus has collaborated with dog programs in schools and prisons. As a founding member of Common Bonds, she has worked to de- crease the number of healthy pets euthanized in Oklahoma shelters. Dr. Staubus also serves on the Common Bonds Oklahoma committee to end the needless euthanasia of dogs and cats in the state by 2025. Turning Attention to Farm Animals “I had been talking with my friend Louisa McCune, and the Kirkpatrick Foundation is really turning some attention to the plight of farm animals in our state that are kept in extreme confinement. And when I say in extreme confinement, what I’m talking about are conditions where they cannot turn around or fully extend them- selves.” Sow pigs especially are kept pregnant and in extreme confinement to raise the pork that is being produced. “From the time sow pigs reach breeding age, they spend almost 100 percent of their lives in confinement so tight that they can- not turn around. And as they grow in age, they can barely even lie down,” said Dr. Staubus. “Then they’re kept in a very tight crate during pregnancy. It’s torture. These extreme confinement techniques have been outlawed in 14 states now, but not here.” As part of her new position at the Kirk- patrick Foundation, Dr. Staubus said, she is not asking anyone to turn vegetarian or for companies to stop raising animals for meat production. She simply wants the animals that are raised for consumption to be treat- ed as humanely as possible. “These animals deserve humane, moral treatment throughout their lives on Okla- homa farms,” said Dr. Staubus. “Kirkpat- rick Foundation is the statewide leader in promoting a humane ethic as a key metric for overall healthy communities. We know Oklahomans are extremely supportive of humane values, and I look forward to sup- porting this work by educating the public.” The Kirkpatrick Foundation is an Okla- homa City philanthropy that John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick founded in 1955. It makes supporting grants to charitable orga- nizations with a diverse range of programs in arts, culture, education, animal well-be- ing, historic preservation, and environmen- tal conservation. As part of the Safe and Humane pro- gram, the Kirkpatrick Foundation aims to better the lives of animals in an effort to make Oklahoma the safest and most humane place to be an animal by 2032. “Experience and dedication characterize Dr. Staubus’ career. We look forward to her insights with regard to improved treatment and better conditions for Oklahoma farm animals, particularly breeding sow pigs and egg-laying hens” said McCune. “Her outstanding record as a lifelong advocate for Oklahoma animals makes Dr. Staubus a natural choice for this role. Tens of millions of animals will benefit from her expertise.” For more information, visit https://kirkpatrickfoundation.com. Right: A sow and her litter are kept in a gestation crate. Extreme confinement has been outlawed in 14 states, but not in Oklahoma. Dr. Lesa Staubus of the Kirkpatrick Foundation advocates humane care for farm animals to prevent situations such as this. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.