Guest Editorial by Marty Fast, a former 4-H leader who lives in Ojai
The Ventura County Fair is over. What happened to the 4-H pet market animals? Most of them have been transported to the slaughterhouse. How many of the 4-H animal owners accompanied their pets to the slaughterhouse? How many of the 4-H pet owners have ever been to a slaughterhouse to witness the horrific process of slaughter?

These 4-H pet owners have been brainwashed and programmed by 4H leaders to accept that their pets will be slaughtered, butchered and eaten. Would these 4H pet owners do this to their dogs? These 4-H pets were raised from “babies”, given names, groomed, petted, walked and learned to love and trust their 4-H caregivers.
These desensitized 4-H pet owners who have bonded with and gained the trust and love of their 4-H pets for many months, replace sad faces after the auction with smiles after receiving their auction checks and plan to repeat the process next year because it was SO MUCH FUN. It WASN’T fun for the pet animals.
Some buyers who have purchased 4-H pets at the auction for very large sums of money donate their animals to Food Share. Food Share would benefit much more by receiving the money spent to purchase the animal, instead of the animal itself, as the value of the meat from the slaughtered animal represents only a small fraction of the purchase price.
These 4-H market animal projects are out-dated and have no real lasting value for today’s young people. People defending the 4-H market animal projects argue that the project teaches children responsibility. The responsibility of caring for these 4-H pets is a very short term commitment. Raising a puppy for Guide Dogs For the Blind or volunteering at the Humane Society will also teach responsibility without resulting in the slaughter of an animal.
Others argue that we humans are intended to eat meat, after all we have canine teeth. Take a look in the mirror. Our canine teeth, although in the same position as those of carnivores, in no way resemble the canine teeth of dogs and cats. They are also called “eye teeth” and resemble our incisors.
Are we a nation addicted to red meat? People are more careful about what they put into their automobiles than what they put into their mouths. It is well documented that a diet of red meat and its high cholesterol contributes to obesity, heart attacks, diabetes and other serious health problems. Not to mention the cost to the environment.
The Ventura County Fair is over. What happened to the 4-H pet market animals? Most of them have been transported to the slaughterhouse. Except for one. A very lucky and beautiful six month old Hampshire pig’s life was spared. A kind, compassionate and generous lady purchased him at the 4-H auction for almost $2,000 to allow him to mature and live out his life with good care and safety from the two-legged carnivores.
Related articles
4-H Kids and Their Animals: the Ultimate Betrayal at the Fair
http://www.ojaipost.com/2009/08/4h_kids_and_their_animals_the.shtml
Why 4-H Kids Should Not Send Their Animals to the Slaughterhouse
http://www.ojaipost.com/2009/08/why_4h_kids_should_not_send_th.shtml
Do 4-H Kids Really Know Where Their Animals Are Going?
http://www.ojaipost.com/2007/08/do_kids_really_know_where_thei.shtml
Earthlings
http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/03/earthlings_1.shtml
Story and photos of Willie the pig enjoying his new life in Ojai, to come