Zoe Rosenberg Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail after Rescuing Chickens. Hear Her Emotional Plea!

Los Angeles, Ca. December 3rd, 2025 – In what supporters are calling both a heartbreak and a victory, 23-year-old animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg sentenced to 30 days behind bars at the Sonoma County Detention Facility, followed by 60 days of alternative detention such as house arrest or community service. Despite the jail time, activists are hailing the outcome as a “tremendous victory” for animals and the right to rescue.

A Tense and Emotional Day in Sonoma

Emotions ran high inside the Sonoma County Courthouse as Judge Kenneth Gnoss delivered the long-awaited sentence. Rosenberg, convicted on October 29 of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanors, faced up to 4.5 years in prison for rescuing four suffering chickens from a Perdue-owned slaughterhouse in Sonoma County.

Prosecutors have called Rosenberg a “threat to public safety.” Instead, the judge allowed her to remain free beyond the sentencing, only requiring her to turn herself in on December 10th, 2025 and he offered her alternatives to any incarceration beyond 30 days — a decision met with tears, cheers, and chants of support outside the courthouse.

UnchainedTV streamed the highly-charged sentencing day live, with reporter Matthew Zirbel providing updates from the courthouse, as dramatic speeches from Zoe Rosenberg and others unfolded. Host Jane Velez-Mitchell led expert analysis and commentary from the network’s studio panel.

WATCH THE DRAMATIC SENTENCING DAY UNFOLD LIVE FROM THE COURTHOUSE

“The Consequences of Our Inaction Are Far Scarier”

Before walking into court, Rosenberg addressed supporters gathered outside in the cold Sonoma air. Her voice was steady, but her message was searing.

“The prosecutors are asking for jail time, and in fact they wanted me to be in jail right now,” Rosenberg said. “The Sonoma County District Attorney’s office says that I am a threat to public safety. They say that I put humans and animals at risk when I enter factory farms and slaughterhouses. They’re going to say this while denying the criminal animal cruelty that Perdue is allowed to commit every single day that they continue their operations.”

“We know the truth. We know that their suffering is real. Less than eight miles from here, tens of thousands of chickens are languishing at Perdue factory farms, struggling to breathe in toxic air. Chickens are being denied medical care. Less than 20 miles from here, at Petaluma Poultry, 90 birds are slaughtered every minute. What I’m facing might be scary, but the consequences of our inaction are far, far scarier.”

“Zoe’s Only Crime Is Compassion”

Outside the courthouse, Cassie King of Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) spoke passionately after the sentencing.

“What we just witnessed today was a really grave injustice that just happened in the Sonoma County Courthouse,” King said. “Our friend, fellow activist, lifelong animal rescuer Zoe Rosenberg was just sentenced to 90 days in custody — including 30 days in the Sonoma County Detention Facility, followed by 60 days of alternative detention, which could include house arrest. Zoe is a lifelong animal rescuer whose only crime is compassion.”

Rosenberg’s attorney, Chris Carraway, a staff attorney with the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, echoed that sentiment, condemning the county’s priorities.

“I’m disappointed that she has to spend 30 days in jail for an act of compassion,” Carraway said. “I am disappointed that the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, despite learning of all the evidence of animal cruelty perpetrated by Perdue, continues to turn a blind eye to that cruelty. They continue to prioritize silencing those who shine a light on that cruelty and put the profits and reputation of a billion-dollar corporation over what’s right.”

“As long as companies like Perdue continue to prioritize profits over public health, over the livelihood, health, and safety of the birds they routinely and systemically abuse, there will always be brave people like Zoe Rosenberg — people who will shine a light on that abuse and act when no one else will. That is something we should be encouraging, not prosecuting.”

Perdue denies the cruelty allegations, calling the animal rescuers “extremists.” The company is invited on any time to comment.

“The Question of Worth”

Veteran animal rights activist Andy Stepanian, who himself spent three years in federal prison for animal activism, addressed the crowd with a moving reflection on the value of life.

“As I was sitting in the courtroom looking at Zoe, I couldn’t help but think about the question of worth — and how we define worth,” he said. “Petaluma Poultry assigned a dollar value to Poppy, Aster, Ivy, and Azalea — $24. If you’d turned to Poppy’s mother and asked, ‘How much is Poppy worth?’ the answer would be: she’s worth the world.”

“When we think about the money the prosecutor and Petaluma Poultry spent on this case — hundreds of thousands of dollars — we have to ask, is this really about the value of four chickens? No. It’s about the idea Zoe helped to sow — that one day, we can imagine a future where animals have value, have identity, have names, have families, have inherent worth.”

“When we devalue life — whether human or animal — we degrade society. When we collapse the difference between us and other species, we start to recognize our true value. Zoe is about to enter jail for 30 days for selflessly acting to defend animals and their rights. We need to support her every step of the way. We are going to change the world for animals, one animal at a time, one court case at a time, until the Right to Rescue is enshrined in law.”

“When We’re Kind to Animals, Everyone Benefits”

Gene Baur, Co-founder and President of Farm Sanctuary, activist, and author, also took the microphone, offering a deeply personal and philosophical message about compassion and justice.

“I am proud and honored to stand here in support of Zoe and her kind and courageous act of rescuing individuals who were seen only as commodities by an industry known for its abuse of power,” Baur said. “What we witnessed today were systems enforcing beliefs about how humans should interact with other animals.”

“It’s important for us to recognize that we share this planet with other living beings, and that what we do to those with the least power says a lot about who we are. Zoe’s act was one of compassion, one of caring, one of humanity — something that’s sadly lacking in our world today. I’m grateful to stand with everyone here, standing for kindness, for humanity, and for the other animals we share this planet with. Because when we’re kind to other animals, all of us benefit.”

“The Tide Is Turning”

Alexandra Paul, an actor famous for her role on Baywatch and many other TV series and films, is also an animal rights activist who herself was prosecuted for the “open rescue” of chickens. In her case, she was acquitted. Paul also spoke to the courthouse crowd, highlighting how moments like this are reshaping public perception.

“In 2025, we who fight for the rights of animals not to be tortured and killed are still considered fringe,” Paul said. “But the tide is turning — and activists like Zoe are helping to turn that tide. Even though the legal system says Zoe is guilty, she’s already won because she’s shined a light on a dirty and shameful business and propelled our movement forward.”

“Zoe’s made sure that Big Ag, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and Petaluma Poultry can’t hide what they do to animals. She’s exposing it to millions around the world. And, someday soon, Americans will look back at how we treat animals — and we will be ashamed.”

“The Fight Isn’t Over”

Pete from DxE called the outcome a “tremendous victory for animals.”

“Even though Zoe was convicted, this moment shows the movement is growing stronger,” he said. “The fight for the Right to Rescue isn’t over. The laws meant to hide abuse are being challenged — and change is coming.”

Animal advocate Karen La Cava commented on Facebook:

“When drug offenders, wife abusers, animal abusers, and drunk drivers get probation — and an animal rescuer gets jail time — there is a huge problem with the system.”

As UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell said during live coverage:

“Today’s verdict shows that courage and compassion can change the conversation, even inside a courtroom.”

Zoe Rosenberg’s Emotional Plea After Sentencing

After the crowd’s cheers died down, Zoe Rosenberg herself addressed supporters once more, her voice unwavering as she spoke of justice, suffering, and hope. “What makes me the most upset about all of this is not that I’ve been convicted or sentenced to serve time. It’s the fact that chickens continue to suffer at Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry facility — and the authorities who are supposed to protect them are doing nothing. In fact, they are denying that their very suffering even exists.”

“I have seen it with my own eyes. We have eight years’ worth of evidence of criminal animal cruelty at Perdue’s Petaluma Poultry, and eight years is far too long for this to continue. One week from today, while these animals continue to suffer, I will turn myself in to the Sonoma County Jail to serve between 30 and 90 days. But I hope everyone here today — everyone watching — will make a promise not to me, but to the animals. Because they are counting on each and every one of us to get justice for them.”

“Nothing I face in that jail cell will ever compare to what these animals endure every moment of their lives. I’m so incredibly privileged to have freedom to lose, to have things I don’t want to walk away from. But these animals have nothing. They live in pain and die in agony. We all have a moral obligation to go outside our comfort zones, to put aside our fears, to save them from the hell they are living in.”

“So no matter what, don’t stop rescuing animals. Don’t stop speaking up. Don’t stop screaming as loud as you possibly can for these animals to be freed. And please, make this promise to the animals.”

“We’re going to keep marching, and the day will come when every animal is safe and happy and free. We will be as loud as we possibly can until that day.”

Watch UnchainedTV’s full coverage of Zoe Rosenberg’s sentencing, courthouse updates, and post-verdict press conference featuring Gene Baur, Sharon Núñez, and more — streaming now at UnchainedTV.com. You can watch the network’s entire trial coverage, from start to finish, by clicking here.