Progress
for animals
Our successes have helped millions of animals around the globe.
Selected achievements
United Kingdom (2025)
UK Government pledges reforms for farmed animals
The UK Government has published its Animal Welfare Strategy for England, setting out pledges to consult on and move away from some of the most harmful practices affecting farmed animals. These include commitments to end cages for hens and mother pigs, shift away from faster-growing chickens and male chick killing, phase out carbon dioxide stunning for pigs, and introduce slaughter protections for farmed fish.
Animal Equality played a key role in shaping these commitments through investigative exposés, expert evidence, and Ministerial engagement. This Strategy marks an important step toward stronger legal protections for animals.
Italy (2025)
New guidelines published to end male chicks culling
Italy has officially published guidelines to end the killing of male chicks in the egg industry, a historic progress following years of campaigning and institutional dialogue led by Animal Equality.
Starting in 2027, around 34 million male chicks every year will be spared from being killed within hours of hatching.
Argentina (2025)
Animal Equality launches first investigation in Argentina
Animal Equality released its first investigation in Argentina, uncovering cruelty to pigs and cows inside local slaughterhouses. The findings were presented in a video narrated by Argentine actor and comedian Kiki Petrone.
Mexico (2025)
Animal Equality is a finalist in the 2025 Best NGOs Awards
The organization was named a finalist in the “Best NGOs 2025” (Mejores ONG 2025) awards, organized by Certificadora Social and Doare, with the aim of recognizing organizations that demonstrate excellence in management and social impact. The award, also held in Brazil and Colombia, seeks to promote a culture of giving to nonprofit organizations.
United Kingdom (2025)
Animal welfare recognized in UK planning law
In a groundbreaking legal ruling, the High Court confirmed that animal welfare can be treated as a material consideration in planning decisions. This marks the first time UK courts have recognised that the treatment of animals may legally influence planning outcomes. The decision follows a judicial review brought by Animal Equality and sets a powerful precedent for future development proposals that affect animals.
Brazil (2025)
Animals recognized in Brazil’s National Environmental Conference
At Brazil’s 5th National Environment Conference, Animal Equality and 30 delegates worked to add six farmed animal protection proposals to the country’s new climate emergency policy. For the first time, farmed animals were granted a place in Brazil’s climate plans.
United States (2024)
Denny’s issues commitment against cages for pregnant pigs
After quietly abandoning a previous pledge, Denny’s issued a new commitment to stop buying from suppliers that cage pigs for their entire pregnancies. It will also release regular updates so the public can track its progress. Soon after Denny’s released this commitment, IHOP followed.
Europe (2024)
Europe now has an Animal Welfare Commissioner
Hungarian politician Olivér Várhelyi has taken office as the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare following efforts by Animal Equality and fellow organizations. For the first time in the history of the European Union, a member of the Commission has been appointed for animals—a historic step in animal protection.
Mexico (2024)
HISTORIC! The Constitution of Mexico includes animals; a new era for their protection begins.
Animal protection is now part of the Mexican Constitution. President Claudia Sheinbaum signed reforms to Articles 3, 4, and 73, officially adding animal protection to Mexico’s Constitution. The reforms took effect on December 3, 2024.
Mexico (2024)
Oaxaca has its first protection law and includes farmed animals.
Oaxaca was the only entity without an animal protection law, but today it becomes the third state to provide protection to all species, including animals considered for consumption during the longest stage of their lives, confinement on farms. Animal Equality supported this initiative.
United Kingdom (2024)
History is made as the United Kingdom bans live animal exports
The UK has made history by banning live animal exports, affecting millions of cows, sheep, and pigs each year. For over fifty years, Animal Equality has been supporting this campaign, which was led by Compassion in World Farming and Kent Action Against Live Exports.
United States (2023)
New Jersey becomes 13th state to ban cages
After years of campaigning by Animal Equality and other coalition members, New Jersey joined eleven U.S. states in banning the confinement of pigs used for breeding and calves raised for veal.
United States (2023)
America’s most powerful animal protection law is upheld after meat industry challenge
In a historic decision, the United States Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, which establishes protections for hens, pigs, and calves typically confined to tiny cages. Animal Equality was part of a coalition that worked to uphold this important law.
Mexico (2023)
Mexico City outlaws backyard slaughterhouses
The Congress of Mexico City passed legislation promoted by Animal Equality to outlaw backyard slaughterhouses. Operators of these facilities will now be subject to two to four years in prison and a fine.
Spain (2022)
Spanish Government requires surveillance cameras in slaughterhouses
The Spanish Government issued a decree requiring Spanish slaughterhouses to install video surveillance cameras. Animal Equality in Spain has been urging for the installation of video surveillance as part of its ‘Against Cruelty in Slaughterhouses’ campaign.
Mexico (2022)
Hidalgo becomes first state in Mexico to proteCt farmed animals under law
Hidalgo became the first Mexican state to legally protect farmed animals in law with an initiative promoted by Animal Equality. Acts of cruelty to animals, including farmed animals, are now punishable by prison sentences.
Italy (2022)
Italy moves forward with ban on male chick killing
The Italian Parliament approved an amendment to ban the killing of male chicks in the egg industry by December 2026. This development follows Animal Equality’s 2020 campaign launch to end this practice. The petition has been supported with over 110,000 signatures. Due to this work and support from Italian officials, 25-40 million male chicks will be spared each year.
European Union (2021)
Largest restaurant chain adopts European Chicken Commitment
Subway announces its commitment to improving the lives of chickens in its European supply chain. The chain publicly pleded to the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). This work took 22 non-profit organizations from 16 European countries and 1.5 years of campaigning to push the company to this progress. Animal Equality, with coalition members of the Open Wing Alliance, played a major role in this campaign.
Mexico (2021)
Puebla to ban unregulated slaughter of animals
In a historic move for animal protection, the Mexican state of Puebla voted to pass a law criminalizing unregulated slaughterhouses and slaughter at live animal markets. The new law will also make it illegal for land animals in the state to be slaughtered without prior stunning. This progress is a result of Animal Equality’s work in Mexico and its participation in talks with the Government of Puebla.
European Union (2021)
EU votes to ban cages
In June 2021, the European Commission agreed to put forth a legislative proposal to phase out the use of cages for all animals by the end of 2023. The results follow a years-long campaign, “End the Cage Age,” supported by animal protection groups, including Animal Equality. The legislation will include commonly caged animals—chickens, rabbits, ducks, female pigs, calves, and others!
United States (2021)
Nevada becomes 9th U.S. state to ban cages for hens
Thanks to the work of Animal Equality and other animal protection groups, Nevada announced that it would become the 9th state in the U.S. to ban cages for hens, joining Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, California, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The bill not only bans the caging of hens in Nevada but also requires eggs sold in the state to be from cage-free facilities, no matter where the eggs were produced.
United States (2020
Champion Petfoods forced to correct false marketing claims
Animal Equality and Champion Petfoods resolved legal matters filed by Animal Equality in 2020 in the D.C. Superior Court. The claims were related to the pet food company’s marketing of rainbow trout in its products, which were claimed to be ‘wild-caught.’ The company was ordered to change ‘wild-caught’ on its website and agreed to provide additional transparency regarding its fish sourcing practices.
Mexico (2020)
Zapopan becomes first city in Mexico to legally protect farmed animals
Thanks to the work of Animal Equality’s team in Mexico, a animal protection regulation was approved by the Government Council of Zapopan, Mexico. The law establishes protections for and criminalizes cruelty toward farmed animals.
Spain (2019)
Our work in Spain leads to reduction of caged hens
Animal Equality’s work in Spain led to a decreased percentage of caged hens on the country’s farms. A new report proved that 77% of hens were caged in 2019, compared to 93% in 2017 when the team’s work began.
International (2019)
Over 100 investigations into farmed animal cruelty
Animal Equality passed over 100 investigations exposing the suffering of animal inside factory farm. Since 2006, we’ve investigated over 800 facilities—mostly industrial farms and slaughterhouses—in 13 countries. Our investigative footage has helped us get justice for animals through enacting new laws, pushing for industry policy changes, and pursuing legal action against animal abusers.
Mexico (2019)
Animal Equality’s work leads to major changes for animals in Jalisco
An overwhelming majority of lawmakers approved Jalisco Without Cruelty, a historic initiative making cruelty to farmed animals in the state a crime. This progress is a response to Animal Equality’s year of campaigning in Jalisco and the findings of our investigation into the state’s slaughterhouses,
Europe and the Americas (2018)
Over 100 corporate outreach policies achieved
In late 2018, our corporate outreach department reached an impressive milestone: over 100 policies achieved to ban cages for egg-laying hens across the U.S., Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and India.
United States (2018)
Proposition 12 passes in California!
In November 2018, thanks to the work of advocates and animal protection organizations, including Animal Equality, California approved the strongest animal welfare measure in history.
United Kingdom (2018)
Largest egg producer goes cage-free following Animal Equality’s investigation
An estimated 4.3 million hens per year will be spared from living confined in a wire cage. That is the impact of the commitment made by Noble Foods, the largest egg producer in the UK. The change in the company’s policy comes after a hard-hitting investigation by Animal Equality that exposed the terrible conditions in which hens used for egg production were living.
International (2017)
Eliminating cages for hens
Animal Equality has helped secure policy commitments from dozens of companies to free millions of birds from life inside a cage.
United Kingdom (2017)
Dairy worker convicted of animal cruelty
A dairy farm worker linked to a farm investigated by Animal Equality was convicted of animal cruelty based on evidence captured during the investigation.
Europe (2017)
EU Parliament votes to protect rabbits
Following an extensive investigation into rabbit farms in Europe and a strong media campaign, Members of the European Parliament voted to move forward on a proposal to ban cages for rabbits.
Mexico (2017)
Animal Equality makes history in Mexico’s Senate
Together with seven senators, Animal Equality introduced historic legislation to protect farmed animals in Mexico from cruelty and abuse.
India (2017)
Law Commission of India issues new Rules
In July 2017, the Law Commission of India issued a detailed report addressing the transportation and housekeeping of hens used for eggs and chickens used for meat. The report included a list of recommendations proposed by Animal Equality to improve the lives of birds raised for food in the country.
United States (2016)
Massachusetts pass Proposition 3 against animal cruelty
Thanks to the work of a coalition that included Animal Equality, farmed animals in Massachusetts will no longer suffer in extreme confinement.
Spain (2016)
Historic sentence handed down for cruelty
After Animal Equality revealed horrific animal cruelty on El Escobar farm, the trial against the four defendants found them guilty. They were given the longest sentence allowed under law.
United Kingdom (2016)
Gloria rescued from cruel chicken farm
During an investigation into British chicken farms, Animal Equality investigators rescued a weak young bird who had been thrown into the dumpster and left to die.
Germany (2016)
Rescue of Finn
In December 2016, Animal Equality rescued Finn from a chicken farm in Germany. Finn had been disposed of alive and left to die until Animal Equality stepped in, saved him and took him to a sanctuary in Germany.
Italy (2015)
Rescue of Basilico
In May 2015, Animal Equality rescued Basilico from a farm in Italy as part of its Save a Lamb campaign. In collaboration with the Italian sanctuary ‘The Green Place,’ Basilico was immediately fed, taken care of and brought to an animal sanctuary. He now lives his life surrounded by compassionate people who will take care of him.
India (2014)
India bans foie gras imports
India became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide ban on importing foie gras. This was a direct result of Animal Equality’s investigations.
Italy (2014)
Fewer lambs consumed
Animal Equality helped reduce the consumption of lamb meat in Italy by 40% in 2014, and a further 50% the following year.
China (2013)
Helping dogs in China
Animal Equality’s investigations in China closed a dog slaughterhouse and 33 dog and cat markets.
China (2013)
Rescue of Vita
Following an investigation into the Chinese dog meat industry, Animal Equality investigators rescued pregnant Vita from a lifetime of suffering.
Germany (2013)
Rescue of hens
In 2013 our team rescued six hens from a hen farm in Germany. These social and delicate animals now enjoy a life of freedom in a sanctuary.
Italy (2012)
Supermarket chain COOP stops selling foie gras
Following an Animal Equality investigation and campaign, the supermarket chain COOP became the first market in Italy to ban the sale of foie gras.
United Kingdom (2012)
Closure of Harling pig farm
Shocking cruelty documented by Animal Equality resulted in the closure of Harling Farm and the prosecution of its workers for animal cruelty.
Spain (2012)
Cruel foie gras farm fined
The Momotegi farm that supplied foie gras to one of the world’s most famous restaurants, Mugaritz, was fined after being exposed by Animal Equality.
Spain (2010)
Rescue of 11 hens
Animal Equality rescued eleven hens for International Animal Rights Day in December 2010. The one-and-a-half-year-old animals had spent eleven months trapped behind bars without access to natural light.
Spain (2009)
Rescue of two lambs and their mother
In December 2009, Animal Equality rescued a mother sheep and her two newborns. Instead of being separated and ultimately killed, they now had their freedom.
Spain (2007)
Rescue of six piglets
In August 2007, five Animal Equality investigators rescued six baby pigs in broad daylight. This was the first ever open rescue done inside a Spanish farm.
