#011

Description

Stoneware tile, painted with underglaze, clear glaze top coat.

This tile is hand-pressed from a plaster mold. An original relief was sculpted onto a master tile, and from that master the plaster mold was made.

The tiles are approximately 3.25 x 3.25″ and 0.875″ thick. There is an indent on the back for wall hanging with a nail.

The Institute for Animal Happiness is a micro-sanctuary for rescued chickens in upstate New York. The likeness featured on this tile is of Buckles, a bird rescued from the violent Kaporos ritual slaughter along with another chicken named Pancakes. Sadly, Pancakes could not overcome the abuse he was subjected to and passed away shortly after rescue. Watch this video about their rescue.

Chickens brought to the sanctuary have often lived tragic lives, but the IAH gives them the opportunity to feel love and freedom. The caretakers do everything in their power to give the residents a comfortable and loving home, from building a coop by hand to designing and testing various wheelchairs for the differently-abled. Due to generations of evolutionary abuse, their bodies require constant monitoring: domesticated chickens suffer from weak hearts, out of whack metabolisms, female chickens are doubly charged with a taxing reproductive system. In order to keep the gang healthy they require quarantine immediately upon arrival, screenings for infection and parasites; then as they live out their lives they need regular check ups and caretakers must be watchful of possible symptoms

Domesticated chickens were bred to be disposable production machines right up to the end of their lives at slaughter. Veterinary knowledge of their medical care is disappointingly far behind most other animals. In difficult cases, the IAH must travel long distances to consult with avian specialists. Chicken caretakers around the world share experiences and results of diagnoses and treatments, and their collective knowledge helps to educate local vets.

Because of this, the IAH is always in need of funding for chicken healthcare. We hope the ARR can make a difference for them.