Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

Going to Prison for Rescuing Hens?!? Animal Activism on Trial with Zoe Rosenberg

Apr 18, 2025

Zoe Rosenberg, founder of Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary, is a passionate animal rights activist currently facing felony charges for rescuing sick hens from a slaughterhouse. In a compelling discussion, she reveals the troubling realities behind Petaluma Poultry's misleading marketing while sharing her personal journey into activism. Zoe also talks about the urgent medical needs of the rescued chickens, critiques the lack of government action on animal cruelty, and emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating her legal struggles.

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ANECDOTE

Deceptive Marketing at Petaluma Poultry

Petaluma Poultry, a Purdue subsidiary in California, uses deceptive marketing with cartoon chickens to falsely suggest humane conditions.
Despite the idyllic imagery, their birds never access the outdoors and suffer typical factory farm cruelty.

ANECDOTE

Early Rescue Efforts at McCoy's Poultry

In 2017-2018, investigations at McCoy's Poultry Services revealed horrific chicken suffering and law enforcement inaction.
Activists' rescue attempts led to arrests, killing of chickens, but one survivor named Rose lived on at Zoe's sanctuary.

ANECDOTE

Investigative Night Rescues Explained

Direct Action Everywhere conducts nighttime investigations with camera crews and rescue capacity.
In one Santa Rosa farm, they rescued two critically ill chickens named Vincent and Petunia, publicly sharing their stories.

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This week, we welcome hero activist Zoe Rosenberg, who generously joined us amid her ongoing legal battle to discuss Direct Action Everywhere’s campaign against Petaluma Poultry. Zoe provided valuable context about the deceptive marketing of this Purdue subsidiary, which claims to offer “free range” and “organic” chickens while investigations reveal deplorable conditions. She shared her personal journey from early investigations to her brave June 2023 rescue of four sick chickens from a slaughterhouse, an act of compassion that led to her arrest and upcoming felony trial beginning May 16th. Despite facing harsh pretrial conditions, including an ankle monitor and travel restrictions, Zoe remains steadfast in her commitment to the power of open rescue and animal rights activism.

Petaluma Poultry uses cartoon chickens and pastoral imagery in marketing, while DXE investigations documented birds suffering in factory farm conditions
After years of reporting animal cruelty to authorities with no action taken, Zoe rescued four chickens requiring urgent medical care from Petaluma’s slaughterhouse
The rescued chickens (Poppy, Ivy, Astrid, and Azalea) were suffering from parasites, respiratory infections, and injuries, that received immediate veterinary attention
Zoe now faces one felony conspiracy charge and four misdemeanors for her open rescue activism, with her trial beginning May 16th in Santa Rosa, California
Supporters can attend the trial (register at dxe.io/register) or sign the petition at righttorescue.com to stand with Zoe and the right to rescue animals in need

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Zoe Rosenberg is the founder of Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary, a sprawling farm animal rescue on the Central Coast of California that has saved over 1,000 animals. She is an organizer, lead investigator, and social media coordinator for the grassroots animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere. In recent years, Zoe has been awarded the Youth Activist of the Year Award from the National Animal Rights Conference and the Paul McCartney Veg Advocate Award. She has delivered a popular TEDx talk about her ongoing activism. Zoe is currently a student at UC Berkeley where she is studying social change strategy.

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