You’ve probably seen Mercy For Animals’ undercover videos taken inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to actually be an investigator?
We sat down with former MFA undercover investigator Barb Wright and asked her what it’s like to show the world what goes on behind the closed doors of a factory farm.
Why did you become an undercover investigator?
I wanted to show people the reality of factory farming. To me, being an undercover investigator is one of the most important jobs in the animal rights movement; your work is a window revealing what the meat industry is trying to hide.
Undercover footage from investigations is a driving force behind so much positive change, like people making more compassionate food choices, animal abusers being held accountable for their actions, and laws being passed to protect animals.
What was your first time undercover like?
My first time undercover was at a battery cage farm in Alberta, Canada.
Chickens are such cute, curious, and intelligent animals. I tried to show them as much compassion as possible by stroking their feathers and talking to them, even though I knew nothing I could do in that moment would really make their lives better.
The truth is, nothing can prepare you for what working inside a factory farm is like—the sights, the sounds, the smell. I was shocked to see thousands of birds crammed in tiny, filthy cages; workers smashing the heads of baby chicks and then throwing the birds still alive and conscious into plastic garbage bags to slowly suffocate; and dead hens left in cages with live hens still laying eggs for human consumption.
When my investigation broke, major media outlets reported on the blatant abuse, and the news spread far and wide. The public was outraged by the unspeakable cruelty. I heard about people going vegan because of evidence I had gathered, and it was the best feeling in the world. I knew my work was making a difference for the lives of farmed animals.
What’s a typical day like for an investigator on a factory farm?
Most days I woke up pretty early, around 4 a.m. I’d get dressed, make sure my camera was ready, and then head off to work. For the next eight to 12 hours, it was a backbreaking, heavy manual labor job, all on top of seeing animals in deplorable conditions.
Something that helped me cope was remembering animals in opposite environments enjoying their lives, like Esther the Wonder Pig. It was hard, but I knew the difficulties I faced working inside industrialized factory farms were nothing compared to what the animals endured every day.
What was the hardest part of the job?
For me, the hardest part was knowing the animals I worked with were born into a life of misery, one in which they would know only fear, pain, and suffering. What kept me going, however, was knowing I was doing my part to help animals by documenting these atrocious conditions.
Were you scared that someone would find out?
In the back of my mind, there was always some concern I would get caught; it’s a risk when working undercover. But I pushed through all the hurdles I faced to help expose what goes on at factory farms.
Has your experience changed you? If so, how?
Without a doubt. The experience of going undercover changed my life. It helped me grow immensely as a person, and most importantly, made me realize I wanted to dedicate my life to helping farmed animals.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in becoming an undercover investigator?
Anyone even considering it should definitely fill out our online application form and apply. It’s not an easy job, but it’s one of the most rewarding and effective ways to help farmed animals.
Becoming an undercover investigator is the most important thing I’ve ever done, and if I had to do it all over again, I definitely would.
Is there anything else you would like to say about your undercover work?
We’re currently seeking investigators in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and India!
We need your help to get the word out about this role. Please share our posts widely, talk to your friends who might be interested, and encourage them to apply online or reach out to us with questions.
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At MFA, our undercover investigators are our heroes. They are the glass walls exposing the cruelty that goes on at factory farms and slaughterhouses around the world.
Think you have what it takes to be an MFA undercover investigator? Apply here.