March Progress
In March, the spread of COVID-19 grabbed the attention of much of the world. Life as many knew it came to a grinding halt. A few Mercy For Animals programs, which rely on pressuring food companies and in-person actions, were paused.
Yet, the connection between pandemics like COVID-19 and animal agriculture is clear. This unprecedented time could also be a pivotal moment humankind decides to chart a new path forward—one that allows us to live in harmony with our planet and the animals who share it. Mercy For Animals took public and behind-the-scenes actions this month to advance this vision.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Mercy For Animals India Foundation and other groups joined forces to urge the Indian health minister to shut down illegal meat and animal markets to prevent the emergence of new diseases and limit the spread of the current coronavirus.
The virus is believed to have first jumped to humans in a “wet” market in Wuhan, China, selling both meat and live animals of various species. Intensive confinement of animals used for food creates prime conditions for zoonotic viruses—those capable of infecting humans—to develop and spread.
As we’ve seen with swine and bird flu, when diseases that can transfer to humans emerge at factory farms, they can gravely threaten public health.
Mercy For Animals partnered with Community Solidarity—America’s largest vegetarian hunger-relief organization—to donate and distribute 2,000 meals to people in need in New York City.
While Mercy For Animals team members are all working in isolation, we remain united and more committed than ever to fighting for the most vulnerable and abused among us: farmed animals.
Oath Pizza, a fast-casual pizza chain serving over 50 communities across the United States, adopted the Better Chicken Commitment, pledging to provide birds with enriched environments, end live-shackle slaughter, and limit the number of birds in a given space, among other changes in their supply chain.
United States: 1
Mexico: none this month
Brazil: none this month
United States: none this month
Canada: none this month
Before social distancing became vital to flattening the curve of COVID-19, Mercy For Animals staff and volunteers participated in annual International Women’s Day marches in Mexico City and Monterrey.
Compassion is in fashion all around the globe, and Mercy For Animals totes, shirts, reusable bottles, and more are now available for purchase in Brazil.
The lower the demand for meat, dairy, and eggs, the fewer animals will be born into misery at factory farms. Mercy For Animals works to decrease demand by partnering with major institutions in Mexico and Brazil, such as schools and local governments, to reduce meat, dairy, and eggs served by at least 20 percent.
Brazil: 6,900
Mexico: 0
Brazil: 329,400
Mexico: 0
We believe that the world’s mightiest institutions will heed the call to reform when it comes from powerful and interconnected communities. That’s why our supporters are so important. And in March, Mercy For Animals activists hosted 16 actions!
Brazil: 56
Mexico: none this month
United States: 18
Brazil: 13
Mexico: none this month
United States: 3
Brazil: 22
Mexico: 0
United States: 5
Through investigations and public engagement, Mercy For Animals opens eyes and hearts to the suffering farmed animals endure. Our videos, websites, and print resources empower people to join our mighty movement.
Mexico: 7.2 million
Brazil: 2.7 million
United States: 15.7 million
Mexico: 323,082
Brazil: 89,589
United States: 1.2 million
Mexico: 5,100
Brazil: 1,200
United States: 22,951
Mexico: 3
Brazil: none this month
United States: 46
Mexico: none this month
Brazil: none this month
United States: 2
United States: none this month
Mexico: none this month
Brazil: none this month
—Camilla, an undercover investigator in Brazil