

"DxE’s investigations have been among the most important in the history of animal protection."
- Justin Marceau, professor of law
Some of the most important actions in the animal rights movement have been rescues on the frontline of animal abuse. Our open rescues are seen by millions and force the issue of animal rights into the public consciousness. DxE activists are now going to court for rescues at some of the largest factory farms in the world.
You can learn more about these groundbreaking court cases by following the #RightToRescue campaign site.
Following an investigation at the Vera Goat Dairy factory farm that exposed widespread neglect of sick animals and a massive, illegal goat graveyard, DxE investigators returned to the facility in broad daylight during the 2025 Animal Liberation Conference. They again documented fresh bodies in the dead pile and sick animals, including Phoebe and Celia, two baby goats who had already been separated from their mothers and showed signs of respiratory infection. Both had discharge crusted around their eyes and nasal discharge, too. One of them was also coughing and had diarrhea on her backside. Investigators rescued Phoebe and Celia and took them to receive medical care. Now, they are safe and free, feeling the grass beneath their feet for the first time.
Sarah was living a mother's worst nightmare. She had recently given birth inside a massive dairy factory farm in California's Central Valley. Her newborn son was struggling to nurse on her distended and inflamed udders. So Sarah, already in pain herself, now had to watch her baby suffer, unable to do anything to help. Fortunately, DxE investigators arrived just in time. They had seen the facility's massive goat graveyard -- where dozens of mother and baby goats are regularly dumped -- and they decided to investigate to find out why so many animals were dying or being killed. They documented frequent coughing and sneezing and goats with engorged and distended teats. They rescued Sarah, her son Johnny, and a second baby, named Castiel, who was collapsed and in a state of respiratory distress. Sarah and Castiel were both found to have pneumonia and received medical treatment. Sarah got pain medication for her inflamed udders and both babies were able to nurse from her. But little Castiel was not doing well. He had a high fever and was still quite lethargic even on medication. For weeks, he had to be hand-fed and carefully monitored until finally, he beat his infection. At last, Sarah, Johnny, and Castiel were healthy, safe, and free to frolic among the flowers as a family.
During a vigil at Perdue's Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse, activists witnessed transport trucks filled to the brim with thousands of cramped, feces-soaked chickens. While one truck was stopped, some activists opened one of the many large crates holding chickens and identified two animals with visible, bloody wounds. They took the chickens, whom they named Fern and Daisy, to get urgent medical care and shared footage of the rescue publicly.
During the #SonomaRescueTrial, DxE investigators returned to Sunrise Farms and Reichardt Duck Farm to document criminal animal cruelty and continue saving lives. While Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner has been busy prosecuting animal rescue, activists have been busy exposing the real crimes, including birds left with painful, untreated injuries and diseased ducks collapsed on their backs slowly starving to death. Elsie had a painful eye infection likely caused by other birds pecking at her in the crowded, stressful environment at Sunrise Farms. She needed surgery to remove her eye, but now she is thriving at a sanctuary. River was stuck on his back and his wings were covered in blood from thrashing against the wire floor at Reichardt. Oakley was collapsed and unable to stand, shivering because her feathers were soaked with feces. After her rescue, she was diagnosed with septic arthritis in one of her legs. She was given antibiotics and other medicine, and finally given the chance to go in the water and take some weight off her feet! River and Oakley are still recovering after weeks of treatment.
18 chickens were saved from slaughter at the Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse in Sonoma County as hundreds of activists gathered outside to bear witness as part of the Animal Liberation Conference. An initial team, dressed as workers, rescued four chickens from a slaughter truck parked inside the facility, while waves of other teams rescued animals from trucks both inside the facility and on their way to the slaughterhouse. Activists documented chickens too weak to stand, crammed inside transport cages, and covered in blood. This action comes after 5 years of documenting horrific cruelty at Petaluma Poultry suppliers across Sonoma County and occurred in conjunction with the release of a brand new mini-documentary further exposing Petaluma Poultry for abusing animals, spreading life-threatening diseases, and lying to the public.
An investigation at Perdue's Petaluma Poultry found rampant disease, abuse, and two little chickens who were barely clinging to life.
Want to expose industry misconduct? We can help you.
Be part of DxE’s growing community of animal rights activists and stay up-to-date on news, events, and action alerts!