June 2021
In June, Mercy For Animals halted ag-gag in its tracks and said goodbye to even more cages around the globe. We’re also happy to report on eggless doughnuts and Japan’s first plant-based egg!
Stopping Ag-Gag
United States
More ag-gag legislation bites the dust! Mercy For Animals joined forces with animal advocates in Texas to help defeat dangerous ag-gag language in a bill.
The language could have criminalized whistleblowers for exposing animal abuse, including through undercover investigations conducted by employees. It sparked an outpouring of opposition, including testimony by a Mercy For Animals staff member, hundreds of emails to legislators, and letters to the editor published in major metro papers.
These efforts encouraged the bill’s sponsor to amend the bill and remove the ag-gag language entirely.
Enacting a Cage-Free Law in Nevada
United States
The governor of Nevada signed a new law banning the cage confinement of laying hens in the state. This law also ensures that hens have space to do what comes naturally to them, like walking, dustbathing, perching, and nesting, and prohibits the sale in the state of eggs from caged hens. As part of a large coalition, Mercy For Animals championed this bill and submitted written and oral testimony in support of it earlier this year.
Eliminating Cages
Global
Krispy Kreme published a global expansion of its 2016 U.S. cage-free commitment. The company also shared that its operations in Russia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Turkey are already 100 percent cage-free and that Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the Middle East and India are eggless. This global policy, secured in coordination with partner organizations, commits to cage-free systems by 2026.
Earlier this year, Cencosud, Brazil’s fourth-largest retailer group, committed to sourcing only cage-free eggs in the country by 2028. Now the group has expanded its commitment to Chile. Cencosud committed to eliminating cruel cages for all of its eggs sold through Jumbo Chile and Spid35 Chile. A third brand under the company’s umbrella will source half their eggs from cage-free facilities.
Pif Paf Alimentos, a leading food producer in Brazil, has also committed to eliminating cage systems for hens in its Brazilian supply chain. Mercy For Animals has been in discussions with the company since 2019. One of the top 10 companies in the meat and food-processing sector, Pif Paf Alimentos could impact over one million hens with this cage-free commitment.
Parting Ways with Eggs
Brazil, Japan
CeliVita, a Brazilian company with products in more than 300 stores, has agreed to stop using eggs. Mercy For Animals is partnering with CeliVita to adapt its product line.
In April, after conversations with Mercy For Animals and a partner organization in Japan, the major Japan-based global food manufacturer Kewpie (which purchases 10 percent of all eggs in Japan) announced it would add cage-free egg products to its offerings. This month, the company announced it would produce Japan’s first plant-based eggs. Japan’s egg consumption per capita is the second-highest in the world. Kewpie is famous for mayo and other egg-heavy products—offering plant-based eggs will mark an exciting milestone not only for plant-based foods in Japan but for hens abused by the egg industry.
Celebrating Compassion
Global
On June 10, 2021, nearly a thousand people from all over the world attended the Mercy For Animals Hope Gala.
The star-studded event was hosted by actress, author, and inspiring vegan foodie Tabitha Brown.
The event began with the Hope Gala virtual red carpet, where over 60 compassionate celebrities shared why they looked forward to a brighter future for animals. Mercy For Animals was proud to present several inspiring activists with awards for their dedication to making the world a better place. Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and U.N. messenger of peace Dr. Jane Goodall was presented with the Hope Award by actors and activists Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix.
Moving Lawsuits Through the Courts
United States
A federal court denied the USDA’s motions to dismiss two pending Mercy For Animals lawsuits—one challenging deregulation of pig slaughterhouses and another challenging the USDA’s failure to protect “downed” pigs. Our lawsuits will now move forward.
Publishing Compassionate Living Magazine
United States
Our summer issue of Compassionate Living hit mailboxes in June! Actor, producer, and director Paul Wesley graced the cover. Read the full online issue.
Campaigning to Ban Live Export
United States
On June 14, Ban Live Exports International Awareness Day, Mercy For Animals launched a new investigative report, Live Animal Export in Brazil. The report focused on the physical and psychological suffering of animals during transport to slaughterhouses in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the environmental and social impacts of live transport.
Building a Movement
Brazil, United States, Mexico
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.
149
Volunteer Hours Logged
Brazil: 26
Mexico: none this month
United States: 123
12
Volunteer Actions Completed
Brazil: 8
Mexico: none this month
United States: 4
28
Active Volunteer Communities
Brazil: 22
Mexico: 0
United States: 6
Growing Our Global Capacity
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.
14.3 MILLION
Social Media Impressions
Mexico: not reported
Brazil: 2.3 million
United States: 12 million
1 MILLION
Online Video Views
Mexico: not reported
Brazil: 359,684
United States: 666,376
6,470
One-Minute Facebook Video Views
Mexico: not reported
Brazil: 1,329
United States: 5,141
106
Media Mentions
Mexico: none this month
Brazil: 56
United States: 50
13
Media Hits in Top 50 Outlets
Mexico: none this month
Brazil: 11
United States: 2
New Videos Produced This Month
Why Is Costco’s $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken So Cheap?
Fried Chicken But Make It Vegan
Fried Chicken Without the Chicken!
Mercy For Animals Knows No Borders
Undercover Hero Shares His Most Disturbing Experience
Mercy For Animals Is Disrupting the Factory Farming Industry
Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, uses her platform to give back to her community.
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“What keeps me focused is to remember that we are their only hope.”
—Camilla, an undercover investigator in Brazil