22 Heartbreaking Photos From Pigs’ Journey to Slaughter

No matter how pigs raised for food live on this Earth, in the end, most will be loaded onto a crowded truck—with hardly any protection from the elements and without any food, water, or place to go to the bathroom—and sent to the slaughterhouse. These pictures tell a story that will break your heart:

Most people have seen a livestock transport truck carrying animals on their way to slaughter.

But if you take a closer look, here’s what you’ll see: a life.

You’ll see these sad green eyes …

Sad PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… these worried pale blue ones …

Sad Pig with Blue EyesAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… and these terrified brown eyes:

Scared Sad PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

You’ll see animals suffering from summer’s heat with no way to cool off …

Sad Filthy PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… and their mouths foaming from thirst, with no water in sight.

Sad Pig Foaming from mouthAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

This is his last day on Earth:

Sad PigsAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

This individual has a unique personality, but his only identification in this world is a streak of colored paint …

Pigs marked with paintAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… or a number carved into his skin:

Pigs marked with tatooAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

Look into this pig’s eyes and just go ahead and try to tell yourself that the scars on her face don’t matter to you.

Sad Pig EyesAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

Pigs are some of the cleanest animals around, but they’re forced to live amid their own waste.

Filthy pigs on truckAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

He can only watch passersby, hoping they’ll help or perhaps offer a drink of water.

Sad PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

They hardly have any room to move around.

Pig on TruckAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

Does he know where he’s going?

Sad Pig Anita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

His sad and scared eyes …

Pig FaceAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… seem to say yes.

Pig FaceAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

We can’t hear her saying, “Help me” …

Scared PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… “Save me” …

Sad PigsAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… “I’m afraid” …

Sad PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… “I’m hurting” …

Cut PigAnita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

… and “Please don’t make this my last day on Earth.”

Sad Pig on Truck© Anita Krajnc | Toronto Pig Save

There’s no hope for these pigs, but you can change the fate of their children and grandchildren. For pigs, for the world, and for yourself, go vegan.

All photos courtesy of Anita Krajnc/Toronto Pig Save

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind