Undercover investigator Pete Paxton and attorney Cailen LaBarge from Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development (SEED) discuss their groundbreaking investigation of livestock auctions across America. After infiltrating 17 auctions in 10 states, they reveal how these largely overlooked facilities serve as crucial links in industrial animal agriculture while fostering systematic abuse. The conversation explores how cultural dynamics perpetuate cruelty, SEED’s innovative environmental litigation strategy against factory farms, and the importance of understanding rural communities in creating lasting change.
This episode explores:
• How livestock auctions serve as a crucial but overlooked link in industrial animal agriculture
• The cultural dynamics that perpetuate animal cruelty in rural communities
• SEED’s innovative approach to environmental litigation against factory farms
• The intersection of worker exploitation and animal abuse
• Strategies for building alliances with rural communities to create lasting change
Pete Paxton, Director of Investigations at SEED, has conducted groundbreaking undercover investigations exposing animal cruelty across multiple countries since 2001. His work, featured in HBO documentaries “Dealing Dogs” and “Death on a Factory Farm,” has unveiled abuse in puppy mills, factory farms, slaughterhouses, and beyond. A recipient of the US Attorney’s Office Coin of Excellence and co-author of “Rescue Dogs,” Paxton’s investigations have not only exposed animal cruelty but also highlighted the exploitation of undocumented workers in industrial agriculture.
Cailen LaBarge is an attorney, animal activist, and founder of Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development (SEED), where she works at the intersection of animal protection, environmental justice, and human rights. A member of Sentient’s Board of Directors and admitted to practice law in New York and Massachusetts, LaBarge focuses on challenging industrial animal agriculture’s impact on animals, people, and the planet through legal advocacy and strategic development.
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