Perhaps no place demonstrates the commodification and objectification of nonhuman animals who are exploited for humans’ consumption quite as palpably as “livestock” auctions, where patrons actively reduce other animals to their bodies and literally bid on fellow living beings. Although small, this family-run, local auction for farmed animals is nonetheless a place of immense violence against and oppression of nonhuman people. Like industry norm, this auction house does not have qualifications or background checks for whom can purchase and bring home the marginalized nonhumans sold at the auction, nor do they have rules regarding how bidders transport the animals home from the auction nor what patrons intend to do with the scared animals once in their legal possession. Regard for the rights, wellbeing, and personhood of nonhuman animals is simply nonexistent within and inherently incompatible with speciesist systems.
