Progress
for animals
Our successes have helped millions of animals around the globe.
Photo: Htu / Shutterstock.com
Watch videoSelected achievements
Italy Moves Forward With Ban on Male Chick Culling
The Italian Parliament approved an amendment which will ban the selective culling of male chicks by December 2026. This development follows Animal Equality’s 2020 campaign launch against male chick culling in the egg industry, which resulted in 110,000 petition signatures. Due to this work and support from Italian officials, 25-40 million male chicks will be spared each year.
Largest Restaurant Chain Adopts European Chicken Commitment
Subway announces the commitment to improve chicken welfare in its European supply chain by publicly committing to the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). This was not an easy feat, as it took 22 non-profit organizations from 16 European countries and 1.5 years of campaigning to push the company to this end. Animal Equality played a major role in this campaign, along with other coalition members of the Open Wing Alliance.
Puebla to Ban Unregulated Slaughter of Animals
In a historic move for animal protection, Puebla, Mexico voted to pass a law that will criminalize unregulated slaughterhouses (also known as “backyard” or “underground” slaughterhouses) and slaughter at live animal markets. The new law, which was passed after Animal Equality in Mexico participated in talks with various agencies of the Government of Puebla, will also make it illegal for land animals in the state to be slaughtered without prior stunning.
EU Votes to Go Cage Free
After years of campaigning by animal protection groups, including Animal Equality, the European Commission in June 2021 agreed to “put forward a legislative proposal by the end of 2023 to phase out and finally prohibit the use of cages for all the animal species and categories referred to in the [End the Cage Age] initiative.” This legislation will include commonly caged animals chickens, rabbits, and ducks, as well as female pigs confined in farrowing and gestation crates, calves used by the dairy industry, and other farmed animals.
Nevada Becomes 9th U.S. State to Ban Cages for Hens
Thanks to the work of Animal Equality, as well as 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.
Champion Petfoods Forced to Correct False Marketing Claims
Animal Equality and Champion Petfoods resolve certain legal claims, filed by Animal Equality in 2020 in D.C. Superior Court, related to the pet food company’s marketing of the rainbow trout in its products. The company corrected ‘wild-caught’ marketing claims on its website and agreed to provide additional transparency regarding its fish sourcing practices.
Zapopan Becomes First City in Mexico to Legally Protect Farmed Animals
Thanks to the work of Animal Equality Mexico, a new animal protection regulation was approved by the Government Council of Zapopan, Mexico that establishes protections for farmed animals and criminalizes farmed animal cruelty.
Our Work in Spain Leads to Reduction of Caged Hens
Animal Equality’s corporate outreach work in Spain has led to a decreased percentage of caged hens, with a new report showing that 77% of hens were caged in 2019, compared to 93% in 2017 when the team’s work began.
Over 100 Investigations Into Farmed Animal Cruelty
Recently, Animal Equality surpassed over 100 investigations conducted into the cruelty of factory farming. 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 legal action and criminal charges for abusers, helping enact new laws, and pushing for industry policy changes.
Animal Equality’s Work Leads To Major Changes For Animals In Jalisco
In response to Animal Equality’s year of campaigning in Jalisco and the findings of our investigation into the State’s slaughterhouses, an overwhelming majority of lawmakers approved Jalisco Without Cruelty, a historic initiative making cruelty to farmed animals in the State a crime.
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.
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.
Largest egg producer goes cage-free following Animal Equality's investigation
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 hens used for egg production were living in and an intense campaign by The Humane League.
Massachusetts pass Proposition 3 against animal cruelty
Thanks to the work of a coalition that included Animal Equality, farmed animals in Massachusetts can no longer suffer in extreme confinement.
INDIA BANS FOIE GRAS IMPORTATION
India became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide ban on the importation of foie gras. This was a direct result of Animal Equality’s investigations.
ELIMINATING CAGES FOR HENS
Animal Equality has helped secure policy commitments from dozens of companies meaning millions of birds will be cage-free.
Supermarket chain COOP stops selling foie gras
Following an Animal Equality investigation and campaign, supermarket chain COOP becomes the first market in Italy to ban the sale of foie gras.
HELPING DOGS IN CHINA
Animal Equality’s investigations in China succeed in closing a dog slaughterhouse and 33 dog and cat markets.
Fewer lambs consumed
Animal Equality helps reduce the consumption of lamb meat in Italy by 40% in 2014, and a further 50% the following year.
Historic sentence handed down for cruelty
After we revealed horrific animal cruelty on El Escobar farm, the trial against the four defendants finds them guilty and sentences them to the longest sentence allowed under law.
Dairy worker convicted of animal cruelty
Shocking cruelty to cows and calves documented by Animal Equality investigators results in the conviction of a dairy farm worker.
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.
Closure of Harling pig farm
Shocking cruelty documented by Animal Equality results in the closure of Harling Farm and the prosecution of its workers for animal cruelty.
EU Parliament votes to protect rabbits
Following an extensive investigation into rabbit farms in Europe and strong media campaign by Animal Equality, Members of European Parliament vote to move forward on a proposal to ban cages for rabbits.
Animal Equality makes history in Mexican Senate
Together with seven senators, Animal Equality introduces historic legislation to protect farmed animals in Mexico from cruelty and abuse.
Cruel foie gras farm fined
The Momotegi farm that supplied foie gras to one of the world’s most famous restaurants, Mugaritz, exposed by Animal Equality.
Law Commission of India issues new Rules
In July 2017, the Law Commission of India issued a detailed report addressing the transportation and house-keeping of egg-laying hens and broiler chickens. The report included a list of recommendations proposed by Animal Equality to improve the welfare of hens and chickens raised for food in the country.
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.
Rescue of Vita
Following an investigation into the Chinese dog meat industry, Animal Equality investigators rescued pregnant Vita from a lifetime of suffering.
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 in freedom in a sanctuary.
Rescue of two lambs and their mother
In December 2009, Animal Equality rescued a mother sheep and her two newborn offspring. Instead of being separated and ultimately killed, they now had their freedom.
Rescue of Basilico
In May 2015, and as part of its Save a Lamb campaign, Animal Equality rescued Basilico from a farm in Italy. In collaboration with the Italian sanctuary ‘The Green Place,’ we stepped in, and 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.
Rescue of Finn
In December 2016 Animal Equality rescued Finn from a chicken farm in Germany. Finn had been disposed alive and left to die until Animal Equality stepped in, saved him and took him to a sanctuary in Germany.
Rescue of 11 hens
Animal Equality rescued eleven hens for International Animal Rights Day in December 2010.
These one-and-a-half-year-old animals had spent eleven months trapped behind bars with no access to natural light.
