Shahar Dayan | CEO of Animals Now

Israel-based animal rights group, Animals Now, has a simple yet urgent vision for the future: to see an outright ban on the practice of live animal export.

“There is no humane way to transport animals over long distances under industrial conditions, says the not-for-profit group’s CEO, Shahar Dayan, who is quick to label the live export trade as inherently cruel and outdated.

“The suffering is built into the system. Out of all the injustices in the world, the institutionalised abuse of animals is the most widespread and brutal by far. The number of victims is beyond comprehension, and yet the resources dedicated to changing this reality are shockingly limited.”

Since its inception, Animals Now undercover investigations have reached a wide audience and have revealed abuse at every stage: animals suffering during unloading from ships, in transport trucks, in feedlots and in slaughterhouses.

And the numbers of animals involved are huge.  Last year (2024), Israel imported approximately 900,000 live calves and lambs for ‘fattening and slaughter’.

“Israelis who learn about live exports are often horrified. For many, their first exposure is shockingly direct — seeing the body of a dead calf washed up on a beach, something that sadly happens often,” explains Shahar, who admits to having been deeply affected by animal suffering throughout his life, something which has propelled him to want to make a difference.

“Others encounter the reality on the roads: trucks packed with calves being transported from southern ports to feedlots in extreme heat, often over 40°C.

“The facts are that live animal export subjects living creatures to extreme suffering. These journeys involve long distances under appalling conditions, especially at sea.

“Animals are crammed into overcrowded ships, with limited access to food, water and fresh air. They endure exhaustion, hunger, stress, illness and often injury. The environment is completely unsuitable for their needs, and many don’t survive the trip.

“For these animals, death is often the only relief they ever get.”

Significantly, Animals Now’s public polling shows that most Israelis oppose live export, including meat-eaters.

“This horrific practice is not necessary for eating meat, indeed even meat-eaters are often against the cruelty of live animal transportation, and we are focused on engaging those people and bringing them into the struggle.

“The bottom line is that live export is a profit-driven practice that benefits a few, while causing immense suffering and environmental damage to millions of sentient beings.”

Despite the many challenges to ending the live animal export trade to Israel – including the deep entanglement between powerful economic interests and decision-makers – Animals Now continues to work towards a world where animals are free and no longer treated as industrial commodities.

“Our mission is to create both a cultural and practical shift in how animals are treated, and ultimately to end institutionalised animal abuse,” says Shahar.

“Ending live export is a crucial step toward a more compassionate and just society, one that recognises animals as sentient beings, not cargo.

“The bottom line is that we will never give up. We will continue to seek out ways to advocate and urge change, because for the animals, we are their voice – and often, their only hope.”

Further information about Animals Now and its animal welfare advocacy work can be found at: animals-now.org/en/