The Hen Report: “Based On Fact” | Free Luna the Pig, Ghent Goes Plant-Based & Cracking Down on Dog Fighting

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann cover a packed slate of animal advocacy news and community stories. Jasmin shares highlights from emceeing a fundraiser for My Dog Is My Home—an organization helping people experiencing houselessness keep their companion animals—and reflects on the passage of New York City’s horse carriage ban. The hosts discuss Animal Rising’s Free Luna campaign to rescue a single pig from a UK factory farm, explore how Ghent, Belgium transformed into a plant-based paradise with 83% of residents identifying as flexitarian, and dig into the USDA’s new push to crack down on dog fighting and unlawful breeders. They also remember activist Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy and the center of Oprah’s infamous food libel trial, and share updates on the March to Abolish Animal Testing expanding to university campuses, the upcoming Veganic Summit, and the opening of Planted Bloomington—a vegan restaurant tied to The Goat Conspiracy sanctuary. Plus, the launch of Our Hen House’s year-end fundraiser with matching gifts through December 31st.

• Free Luna Campaign by Animal Rising: Learn how Animal Rising is using a single pig’s story to clarify factory farming, including Rose Patterson’s remarkable letter offering a £5,000 donation to a farmer mental health charity in exchange for Luna’s safe rehoming. Sign the petition at animalrising.org.
• Ghent, Belgium’s Plant-Based Transformation: Discover how climate-focused policy, school “Veggie Thursdays,” default oat milk, and the Green Deal Protein Shift made 83% of Ghent’s population flexitarian, a model for cities worldwide.
• USDA Cracks Down on Dog Fighting & Unlawful Breeders: The USDA’s new Animal Protection Bureau is increasing investigators by 20%, reviewing surrendered breeder licenses, and denying licenses to repeat violators under the Animal Welfare Act.
• March to Abolish Animal Testing Goes to Campuses: Following the 207-mile walk last September, volunteer-led demonstrations are being organized at universities nationwide on December 3rd. No organizing experience needed. Sign up at marchforanimals.org.
• Veganic Summit (Nov 6–8) & Planted Bloomington Opening: A free online summit on animal-free farming methods, plus the newly opened vegan restaurant in Bloomington, Indiana, affiliated with The Goat Conspiracy sanctuary — a model for how vegan restaurants and sanctuaries serve as vital community organizing spaces.

A Note from Jasmin: Tomorrow, October 30, is my birthday, and it’s also the launch of our year-end fundraiser. Thanks to our Barnyard Benefactors, every gift you give is doubled, as long as we reach $25,000 by December 31. Next week, we record our 1,000th episode, and we’ve passed 3.1 million listens, all because of you. If you’re able, make a gift for the animals in honor of my birthday, or join the Flock starting at $10 a month. Head to OurHenHouse.org/support. Thank you for changing the world for animals with us.

RESOURCES

• • • • • Buy A Series of Opinionated Animals & A Portion Will Go To Our Hen House!
        • UW-Madison alum says he misrepresented public footage as campus pig gas chamber
        • Planted Bloomington
        • Free Luna- Red Court Farm has the power to release Luna into sanctuary to live safe and free for the rest of her life
        • Animals Rising on Bluesky
        • Veggie Thursdays and vegan surprises! How Ghent became a plant-based paradise
        • USDA TARGETS DOGFIGHTING AND UNLAWFUL BREEDERS TO STRENGTHEN ANIMAL PROTECTION
        • March for Animals- University Days of Action
        • Mad Cowboy from Bookshop.org

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The Veganic Summit is a free online event from November 6th-8th, 2026. You’ll learn how plant foods can be grown using techniques that are both vegan and organic, without any chemical fertilizers or any animal byproducts like manure or bonemeal. If you’d like to start your own veganic garden or learn about sustainable plant-based farming, sign up for the Veganic Summit today at https://veganicsummit.com/

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Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.

Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content!

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Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

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Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.

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