North American fast-food giants, Burger King and Tim Hortons, to give millions of chickens better lives

The announcement made this week by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company for these two iconic brands, will positively impact the welfare of millions of chickens in North America. You have played a pivotal role in achieving this change for chickens

The commitment by RBI means that chickens used by their North American restaurants will grow at a slower, more natural rate. They will have more space and will benefit from enriched environments featuring, for example, better lighting, higher quality litter, and perches.

The company made this landmark decision after more than 100,000 people signed our petition urging Burger King, and six other major fast-food companies, to improve the lives of chickens in their supply chains.

RBI's Responsible Sourcing Commitments web page states that the company will work with __animal welfare experts to achieve these changes by 2024.

"This is a fantastic move for better quality of life for farmed chickens," says Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America. It sends a powerful signal to food businesses around the world that meaningful change for chickens is not only possible but vital."

Good for animals, good for business

Burger King and Tim Hortons are the latest companies in a growing movement reflecting a change in consumer demand for more humanely produced goods.

As consumers learn more about the inhumane conditions and suffering that factory-farmed animals endure, they are demanding more humanely produced goods, which is changing what we buy in restaurants and on supermarket shelves.

At the end of 2016, Compass Group USA, Aramark and Panera Bread became the first major North American brands to announce that they are working with their suppliers to commit to healthier, slower-growing chickens.

Change for chickens

Right now, billions of chickens raised for global consumption live in dark, barren sheds. Bred to grow so fast their bones and hearts can’t keep up, they suffer painful lameness, sores and other health problems.

We are challenging other major fast-food companies to follow Burger King, Tim Hortons and other industry-leaders to improve the lives of chickens.

"With the success of the cage-free egg movement, North American consumers have shown that __animal welfare is important to them in their food purchasing decisions," says Jonty.

"This new commitment for chickens is the right thing for RBI, Burger King, and Tim Hortons to do for chickens, for their customers and for themselves. This is a brilliant start for RBI and we hope to continue to work with them as they transform the lives of chickens," Jonty continued.

Learn more about our Change for chickens campaign, and how we’re working to improve the lives of billions of chickens suffering in industrial farms.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America." - Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

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Factory farming

American fast-food giants, Burger King and Tim Hortons, to give millions of chickens better lives

The announcement made this week by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company for these two iconic brands, will positively impact the welfare of millions of chickens in North America. You have played a pivotal role in achieving this change for chickens

The commitment by RBI means that chickens used by their North American restaurants will grow at a slower, more natural rate. They will have more space and will benefit from enriched environments featuring, for example, better lighting, higher quality litter, and perches.

The company made this landmark decision after almost 75,000 people signed our petition urging Burger King, and six other major fast-food companies, to improve the lives of chickens in their supply chains.

RBI's Responsible Sourcing Commitments web page states that the company will work with __animal welfare experts to achieve these changes by 2024.

"This is a fantastic move for better quality of life for farmed chickens," says Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America. It sends a powerful signal to food businesses around the world that meaningful change for chickens is not only possible but vital."

Good for animals, good for business

Burger King and Tim Hortons are the latest companies in a growing movement reflecting a change in consumer demand for more humanely produced goods.

As consumers learn more about the inhumane conditions and suffering that factory-farmed animals endure, they are demanding more humanely produced goods, which is changing what we buy in restaurants and on supermarket shelves.

At the end of 2016, Compass Group USA, Aramark and Panera Bread became the first major North American brands to announce that they are working with their suppliers to commit to healthier, slower-growing chickens.

Change for chickens

Right now, billions of chickens raised for global consumption live in dark, barren sheds. Bred to grow so fast their bones and hearts can’t keep up, they suffer painful lameness, sores and other health problems.

We are challenging other major fast-food companies to follow Burger King, Tim Hortons and other industry-leaders to improve the lives of chickens.

"With the success of the cage-free egg movement, North American consumers have shown that __animal welfare is important to them in their food purchasing decisions," says Jonty.

"This new commitment for chickens is the right thing for RBI, Burger King, and Tim Hortons to do for chickens, for their customers and for themselves. This is a brilliant start for RBI and we hope to continue to work with them as they transform the lives of chickens," Jonty continued.

Learn more about our Change for chickens campaign, and how we’re working to improve the lives of billions of chickens suffering in industrial farms.

"This commitment will have a huge impact for chickens in North America." - Jonty Whittleton, our global director for animals in farming.

Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

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Our concern grows as ‘new Tiger Temple’ takes shape and could open within weeks

We’re dismayed to see construction of the ‘new Tiger Temple’ tourist venue, by Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd., plough ahead. Photos taken this week show cramped, old-fashioned cages being built, raising fears that the attraction could open within weeks. We must stop this

Wildlife belongs in the wild

We’re calling for the Thai government to protect tigers and not allow this new venue in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, to open.

We’re concerned that tigers acquired for this new business venture will be trapped in lives of endless suffering, to supply the demand for cruel tourist shows and selfies.   

More than 150,000 supporters have signed our petition urging Thai authorities to stop this new development in its tracks. This number is growing rapidly, showing how strongly the public feels about this urgent issue.

‘Inadequate’ housing for tigers

Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, our senior wildlife and veterinary advisor, said: "The construction of the new tiger venue is well on its way. We are concerned that the old fashioned ‘row of cages’ is very inadequate for the housing of tigers.

“We fear that the inhumane treatment and conditions of the tigers in this new venue will be no different to those at the former Tiger Temple, which was involved in cruelty and illegal wildlife trade practices. This is why we are calling for the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to not allow the new venue to open."

A building under construction at the proposed site for the 'new Tiger Temple', Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Provisional licence

Tiger Temple was raided by police and shut down last year following allegations of illegal breeding and trafficking of tigers and their parts. The matter is still under investigation.  

Golden Tiger Co. Ltd. has a provisional zoo licence, transferred over from the old Tiger Temple venue. If it meets 11 additional requirements, it could be granted the full licence it needs to operate.

Dr Schmidt-Burbach added: "With the new venue underway, it feels like the award of a zoo licence is being seen as a fait accompli. 

"We must remember the reasons why Tiger Temple was closed. The risk to these tigers being illegally trafficked, bred for profit and exposed to more horrific cruelty, is immense."

A close up of cages that tigers are likely to be kept in

Clear links to cruel, former venue

The DNP has publicly commented about the new venue, claiming the project is above board, and stated the following:

• the zoo licence was granted on legal regulations and it permits the Golden Tiger Co. Ltd to build a venue
• once the venue is built, and if the company meets 11 additional requirements, Golden Tiger Co. Ltd. can acquire tigers for the venue
• the Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd. has no links with the previous Tiger Temple attraction.

We refute the last statement. There are clear links, which should be prompting the government to be cautious because the Tiger Temple Limited and Golden Tiger (Thailand) Limited are the same entity regardless of a change of name, director or shareholders.  

Records obtained from the Department of Business Development show that on February 3 2017, Tiger Temple Co Ltd changed its name to the Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd., and kept the same registration ID and zoo licence provided last year by the DNP.

We’re urging the Thai government to take a closer look and stand alongside us to protect tigers from harm. If you’ve not yet signed our petition, please act now.

"We fear that the inhumane treatment and conditions of the tigers in this new venue will be no different to those at the former Tiger Temple, which was involved in cruelty and illegal wildlife trade practices." - Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, our senior wildlife and veterinary advisor

As 33ft sperm whale trapped in fishing net dies, we urge more action to protect marine animals

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Protecting dogs and people in Kenya: launch of national plan to eliminate rabies

Kenya has become the first country in Africa to launch a national strategy for controlling and eliminating rabies.

Late last month, on World Rabies Day, we supported the vaccination of more than 3,000 dogs in Makueni County and helped launch a national strategy to eliminate human rabies from Kenya.

The strategy is simple: vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population each year – for at least three years – and the disease will be eliminated, in dogs, humans and wildlife.

The new plan was launched by Kenyan government principle secretaries, from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.  We attended the launch in Makueni County, Kenya.

Makueni County is one of five pilot counties that will be targeted first by the Kenyan government. Our teams are working closely with government officials there to advise on the humane treatment of animals with the disease.

On World Rabies Day, we supported the mass vaccination of 3,000 dogs across Makueni County. Alongside education on dog handling and care, there was also a competition for the dog in the best condition of health.

The principal secretary for Livestock, Fred Segor, said: “With the help of partners such as World __animal Protection and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we hope that by the year 2030, we will have a rabies free nation.”

Battling rabies in Kenya: what else should you know

• Rabies has been endemic in Kenya since the first reported case in 1912
• In 2012 the government of Kenya set up a Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) to improve the surveillance, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in the country. Rabies was identified as one of the highest priority diseases.
• In April 2013 we attended a workshop run by the ZDU, with government representatives, universities and other organisations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) amongst others. Together, the workshop produced Rabies Management Guidelines and the Rabies Elimination Strategy that was launched last month.

Read more about controlling rabies in our resource: Controlling Rabies: One humane solution, three reasons why.

Image: A man brings his dogs to be vaccinated against rabies in Zanzibar, Tanzania (Andrew Morgan)

“With the help of partners such as World Animal Protection, we hope that by the year 2030, we will have a rabies free nation.”

Animal welfare included in UN Agricultural Investments Principles

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Hundreds of dogs treated at mobile clinic in Romania

We have been working with Save the Dogs to protect dogs in a remote area of Romania

Between May and September this year, we sponsored a mobile vet clinic, run by Romanian charity Save the Dogs.

The treatment centre visited 20 villages in Constanta county, Romania, providing veterinary care where previously it was either non-existent or unaffordable for dog-owners.

Since May, the clinic has sterilised and neutered a total of 640 dogs. This will avoid the birth of potentially thousands of puppies, who could have ended up abandoned and living on the streets of nearby towns.

In line with a new Romanian law adopted in September 2013, 626 dogs were also microchipped and registered on a new database.

Villagers received information on dog care and welfare too, meaning a better life for these animals.

Local resident Munteanu Constani is 65 years old and lives in Pestera, a remote village in the region. Munteanu is the proud owner of three white dogs and loves them dearly - although he says his five year old Granddaughter, Maria, loves them even more!

Constantin said, "We are very happy about the Mobile Clinic's activity, and Maria is even happier! Thank you all."

Read more about our work with animals in communities.

640 dogs have been sterilised and neutered. This will avoid the birth of potentially thousands of puppies who could have ended up living on the streets.

Protecting dogs and people in Kenya: launch of national plan to eliminate rabies

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Working with strays a humane alternative

Responsible pet ownership

Our partnership with the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Rio 2016

To help ensure the safety of animals in Rio, we are partnering with the Organising Committee for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the run up to and during the Games.

Millions of people will flock to the city from 5th to the 21st of August, and again from the 7th to the 18th of September 2016, to see events in over 30 different sports facilities. Many animals including dogs, cats, horses, and alligators, live close to the venues and need to be kept safe. 

We are training Olympic operational teams to correctly handle animals, offering guidelines on responsible pet ownership to the communities of Rio de Janeiro, and organising adoption campaigns for dogs and cats in partnership with Special Secretariat for the Defense of Animals (SEPDA).

Rosangela Ribeiro, Veterinary Program Manager at World __animal Protection said:
“We hope that the Rio 2016 Games will set an example for other major sporting events because the joy and celebrations of the events can cause much distress for animals of the organising city.

“We are proud to be working with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee to make sure the animals across Rio are safe, and the owners of animals feel confident they can keep them safe and well.”

Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at Rio 2016 said: 

"We were delighted when World Animal Protection offered their support. We trust their technical advice and it has helped us to create and implement management plans for animals who may get into venues, or near the huge crowds. Without them we would have struggled to do it.”

With over 30 years’ experience in protecting animals across the world, our veterinarians will train employees located across the Olympic venues on safe and humane __animal handling. This will help ensure the Games can run smoothly and that guests to the city can feel safe in the knowledge that stray animals entering venues are being cared for and will not be considered a nuisance. 

With a large number of residences neighboring the sports facilities, communities will be given advice on taking extra care of their pets during this busy period. In previous Olympic Games, animals have been known to enter areas intended for competitions and training, putting their own lives at risk and potentially causing accidents or interruptions. 

Working together with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, we will carry out community awareness raising events about the importance of keeping domestic animals safe at home during the competitions, especially street competitions, such as road cycle racing. 

You can help support our work protecting animals across the world by making a donation today.

For more information on our work and ways to help, you can sign up to receive email updates.

"We were delighted when World Animal Protection offered their support. We trust their technical advice and it has helped us to create and implement management plans for animals who may get into venues, or near the huge crowds.” Julie Duffus, Sustainability Manager at Rio 2016.

Global Ghost Gear Initiative gains traction among United Nations member states

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Costa Rica Animal Shelter wins Marsh International Animal Welfare Award for 2015

This year’s Marsh International __animal Welfare award was announced earlier this week. The winners, Asociacion Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal de Costa Rica, were selected from 28 entries around the world.

The award is made each year to the organisation that has made the most significant advancement in __animal welfare.

It is one of 70 awards given by the Marsh Christian Trust to recognise and reward those who do things out of love, not for money. 

Asociacion Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal de Costa Rica (HPPA) was set up in 1991 and has grown to be the largest animal shelter in Costa Rica.

AHPPA rehomes and shelters animals, delivers animal care and provides low cost animal sterilizations to the community.

In 2013 and 2014, over 90% of all the animals brought to the shelter were adopted and rehomed - an incredible achievement. What's more, once an animal has been adopted from the shelter, AHPPA provides lifetime medical care.

They also educate students and educators on animal welfare, disaster relief and animal population control - benefiting thousands of animals.

Since their beginnings, the organisation has expanded beyond their own neighbourhood and into rural communities towards coastal areas.

As well as sterilization, animal care and adoption services, they are also tackling the issue of animal fighting in Costa Rica by caring for and rehoming confiscated fighting dogs.

Our Head of Policy and Advocacy, Ricardo Fajardo, says:

"We are honoured to continue our partnership with the Marsh Christian Trust to acknowledge the fantastic achievements of animal organisations around the world.

"Congratulations to AHPPA - your work to protect and improve the lives of animals in Costa Rica is truly outstanding."

"Congratulations to AHPPA - your work to protect and improve the lives of animals in Costa Rica is truly outstanding."

Reality star Khloe Kardashian posts selfie with tiger cub in Dubai

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As 33ft sperm whale trapped in fishing net dies, we urge more action to protect marine animals

A sperm whale sadly died yesterday, having been trapped in fishing nets off the coast of China. We’re calling for more proactive action to protect sea life against abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, otherwise known as ‘ghost gear’

It is unclear whether the incident was caused by active fishing gear or lost or abandoned ghost gear. But we believe this case highlights the threat to marine wildlife from human activity.

Our work

We launched the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) in 2015. It is an alliance of governments, industry representatives, and non-governmental organisations with a shared commitment to tackle the problem.

Members include Young’s Seafood, the Marine Conservation Society, supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, Surfers Against Sewage and Austral Fisheries.

Another tragedy

The global head of our Sea Change campaign, Ingrid Giskes, said, "The sad story of an entangled 33ft whale off the coast in Shenzhen in China highlighted the potential risks to marine life."

Ingrid explained how whales can become entangled in large, heavy fishing nets: "These floating death traps can drag them for miles, restricting their movement and ultimately exhausting them until they drown."

One of the greatest threats to marine animals

Following a succession of incidents where marine life has been trapped in fishing gear across the world, Ingrid said it’s time for more proactive collaboration to protect marine life:

"Abandoned and lost fishing gear poses one of the greatest threats to marine __animal welfare. We estimate that ghost gear kills around 136,000 seals, sea lions and large whales every year through entanglement and ingestion, with many more suffering devastating injuries."

Urgent preventative action is needed. 

Working together to make change

We’re calling on more organisations to support the GGGI. 

The GGGI gathers information about the scale of the ghost gear problem globally, develops best practice guidelines and information for the fishing industry and seafood sector and works on the ground to implement sustainable solutions to challenges around fishing gear disposal and collection.

Ingrid added: "We recognise that action on ghost gear must be prioritized to achieve sustainable oceans, and make a voluntary commitment at the UN Oceans Conference in New York in June to substantially reduce ghost gear as part of their actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14.

"We can’t afford to be complacent about protecting marine life. This is a reminder that we need preventative action and we need action quickly."

Learn more about Sea Change and the GGGI now.

*Please note: Image shows a whale entangled in ghost gear off the coast of California for demonstrative purposes, and is not the sperm whale in China.

"We estimate that ghost gear kills around 136,000 seals, sea lions and large whales every year."

Working with women to build resilience during disasters

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Working with women to build resilience during disasters

Many of the world’s farm animals are owned by women, and natural disasters affect farm animals more than any other. We spoke with our Africa disaster operations manager, Judy Kimaru, about gender, animals and disasters

Why did you get into the field of disaster management and __animal welfare?  

I’ve worked in emergency management for 15 years, mainly with the United Nations and in countries in conflict. I saw a lot of issues around livelihoods and food security and animals were always central to it. I developed a passion for this kind of work. Emerging themes of climate change and a greater awareness and focus on disaster risk reduction, made it feel like a very natural transition.

Do many women work in this field?

I haven’t seen a lot of women in the field, particularly not on the technical side of things. Disaster risk reduction is a relatively new field of work. One of biggest challenges in this new field is the lack of expertise — and that includes men and women.  I would like to see more women in the field.

In my region, 80% of farmers are women. The more we train women farmers in disaster risk reduction, the more resilient we can make local communities and protect animals at the same time.

What do you see as the role of women livestock owners in disaster preparedness, recovery and community resiliency?

Firstly, women are not a homogeneous group. A women’s role is varied and is a factor of culture, education and opportunity.  

Certain animals tend to be the responsibility of certain genders. For example, donkeys in pastoral communities are considered the helpers of women. They help her carry water and goods to market such as in the Masai community. Camels tend to be looked after by men as they carry heavy goods and go longer distances from home. Chickens tend to be cared for by women and girls around the household.

Judy working to protect animals from drought in Ethiopia

In responses you’ve been a part of, what links have you seen between disaster management and women’s empowerment? 

I’ve just come back from Makwemi, Kenya where we are working and bringing women together to help them with resiliency exercises like better pasture techniques for their animals. When we started in 2013 they were collecting 30 litres of milk a day from their animals, due to poor nutrition and health. Now they are collecting 400 litres a day.

We taught them about silage, for example, which enables them to keep their animals fed through a drought. These women’s social economic status has directly improved as a result of our disaster risk reduction work with them. A private milk company noted the surge in production and put a cooling collection point there – which has now allowed the women to access much larger markets. 

I have also seen negative consequences. In Barringo County, Kenya in 2015 local “rainmakers" or witch doctors called a drought the “year when women were chased away from home”. This drought was so severe, women had to walk long distances to look for water. By the time they got home, they had not cooked or prepared the home for their husbands. In many instances, the husbands would beat their wives regularly and severely to the point that women fled the home.

The more we can teach women to become resilient with water pans and sustainable agricultural skills we empower her. Our work ideally makes her life around animals easier and more profitable as her social and economic status increases.

As the lead for our disaster management operations in Africa, Judy has protected thousands of animals from drought in Ethiopia and Kenya, a volcano in Cape Verde, flooding in Malawi, and many other natural disasters across the region.

Learn more about the work we do to protect animals from disasters.

"I haven’t seen a lot of women in the field, particularly not on the technical side of things."

We’re providing nearly 350,000 cold, starving Mongolian animals with emergency aid

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Why animals matter in a disaster

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We’re providing nearly 350,000 cold, starving Mongolian animals with emergency aid

Goats, sheep, horses and cattle suffering in harsh winter weather known as a ‘dzud’ will get emergency help over the next few months

Animals in Mongolia are freezing and struggling to find food which is buried beneath thick snow covering half the country.

Temperatures reach as low as -40c at night, and the grass they need to eat can’t grow properly during these severe conditions. __animal owners are still recovering from the devastating 2016 dzud, making it harder to feed and keep their animals warm as they are now hit with yet another.  

Striking, yet deadly

Despite the picturesque backdrop of blue skies and vast white snow, much of Mongolia is a deadly place for animals right now.

Animals photographed in affected parts of Mongolia may seem serene, roaming their striking surroundings, but looks can be deceptive. They can’t find food and time is running out for them.

Animals search for food in the snow in Mongolia

In the 2010 dzud, millions of animals died.

We have to act fast, or a repeat of this tragedy could be imminent. 

Delivering vital emergency nutrition

We’re providing emergency nutrition relief packs to 1,740 households in six provinces. Each pack helps sheep, goats, cattle and horses, and includes:

• 10 kg of milk powder
• 1 litre of fish oil
• 3 kg of vitamin supplement
• 8 kg of mineral blocks.

The creation and distribution of these packs would not be possible without kind donations from our supporters.

Working in partnership

During February, we’ll distribute these vital nutrition packs in parallel with the Mongolian Red Cross with the financial support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)—the world’s largest humanitarian organisation -- and USAID.

IFRC resident coordinator, Mr. Enkhjin Garid, said:

“We are all working towards the same goal. In Mongolia, we can’t help people if we don’t also help their animals.”

A strong connection

Earlier this year, Mongolian herders told us stories of their animals’ struggle during the dzud. Animals are the only source of income for some. They’re a very important part of many Mongolian people’s lives.

Two provincial veterinarians rescued this goat who was stranded in snow and ice

We recently revisited a woman called Mrs Davaa, who has about 70 sheep and goats and 10 cattle. Her animals are always deficient in salt and minerals. The mineral blocks and milk powder we provided last year for these animals made the difference between life and death.

Our international response manager, Steven Clegg, said:

"It was immediately evident how important these animals were in these herders lives. Her son proudly showed us one of the lambs he saved from the unforgiving winter conditions.”

You can help

Thanks to your support, we have been able to give aid to millions of affected animals in disaster zones like Mongolia. Please donate today and help us protect as many animals as we can and give local communities their best chance of a quick recovery.

”It was immediately evident how important these animals were in these herders lives. Her son proudly showed us one of the lambs he saved from the unforgiving winter conditions,” - our international response manager, Steven Clegg

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Animals in disasters

Disaster response team

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