What protections do farmed animals actually have in the United States?

As attorney and Farm Sanctuary General Counsel Cynthia Von Schlichten explains — far less than the public believes.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Johnny Lieberman uncovers how federal laws governing farmed animals are filled with exclusions, loopholes, and industry-written exceptions that leave billions of chickens, pigs, cows, and turkeys without meaningful protection at any stage of their lives.

Cynthia breaks down:

• Why 95%+ of animals slaughtered for food (birds) are excluded from the U.S. humane slaughter law
• How the 28-Hour Law — the only federal transport protection — is rarely enforced and excludes entire species
• Why mass-execution methods like Ventilation Shutdown Plus are not only legal, but paid for by taxpayers
• How industry standards allow painful procedures like tail docking, beak removal, castration, and forced molting without anesthesia
• Why government inspectors are being replaced with plant employees — and what that means for animals and food safety

This episode challenges the assumptions most people carry about animal agriculture and offers practical steps listeners can take to reduce harm — from supporting local farms to advocating for stronger laws.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Most Farmed Animals Aren’t Protected by Federal Law

Chickens — who make up 95% of all animals slaughtered for food — are excluded from the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

2. Transport “Protections” Are Barely Enforced

The 28-Hour Law sounds humane, but in practice, animals routinely travel long distances without food, water, or rest.

3. Taxpayers Fund Mass-Kill Events

Ventilation Shutdown Plus — which kills animals through heat and suffocation — is legal, widely used, and heavily subsidized by government payments.

About the Guest – Cynthia Von Schlichten, LLM

Cynthia Von Schlichten is the Senior Manager of Legal Affairs for Farm Sanctuary, where she leads legal strategy on rescues, cruelty cases, and policy reform. A practicing attorney for over a decade, Cynthia has worked across the animal rights spectrum, including roles at the American Anti-Vivisection Society and Compassion in World Farming. She is an active member of the ABA’s Animal Law Committee and has drafted municipal legislation to protect animals.

For over 20 years, Cynthia has been a vegan and fierce advocate for animal rights, with a mission to give animals a voice in our legal system.

🔗 Read more about Cynthia

About the Show

Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health explores the intersection of animal welfare, public policy, and human health. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman, each episode invites changemakers, legal experts, and health advocates to shed light on what really impacts our communities—and what we can do about it.

About the Host

Dr. Johnny Lieberman is a physician, public health advocate, and lifelong animal lover with a passion for connecting the dots between animal welfare, human behavior, and the systems that shape our lives. With a background in both medicine and public health policy, Johnny brings a unique lens to conversations about how our treatment of animals impacts human health, the environment, and social justice.

In Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, Johnny brings warmth, curiosity, and a dash of wit to tough conversations that matter. From exposing the realities of factory farming to uncovering the links between zoonotic diseases and our food systems, his goal is to empower listeners to be informed, compassionate, and engaged citizens—while still keeping it real (and sometimes bringing in puppies).

Whether he's discussing legislative loopholes or snuggling his rescue dog between recordings, Dr. Lieberman believes that creating a healthier world starts with how we treat its most vulnerable beings.