OUR HISTORY

Animal Equality in Mexico joins OWA conferences in Colombia. As part of the Open Wing Alliance, animal protection groups from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil met to strategise an end to cages in the egg industry.

Animal Equality in Brazil joined eight other organisations at "Volunteer Energy," an event that brought together over 100 animal protection volunteers. Animal Equality showcased its virtual reality project–iAnimal–and highlighted the Love Veg program.

Animal Equality in Mexico launched a campaign to raise awareness about the fishing industry. The launch included a report titled Fish in Aquaculture.

The State Congress of Colima, Mexico, unanimously approved an initiative to reform its Animal Protection Law. Supported by Animal Equality in Mexico, this initiative will impact nearly 9 million animals–including farmed animals.

Animal Equality takes the fight against force-feeding to Paris. Dozens of athletes, academics, and environmentalists signed Animal Equality’s open letter urging the Olympic organisers to remove foie gras from the VIP hospitality menu. Soon after, Animal Equality’s UK Executive Director delivered over 60,000 petition signatures to the organisers in Paris. Local volunteers joined a protest outside the organisers' office and projected messages on nearby buildings later that night.

Animal Equality releases investigation of Red Tractor-certified pig farm supplying major supermarket, Tesco. During an eight-month investigation of Cross Farm in Devon, England, Animal Equality and an award-winning photographer–Aitor Garmendia–gathered over 100 hours of footage. The images show mother pigs in farrowing crates, piglets being “thumped” and killed against concrete walls, piglets having their tails and teeth cut without anesthesia, mother pigs suffering from wounds and prolapses, and filthy conditions. Animal Equality submitted a complaint to Trading Standards and the Animal and Plant Health Agency to hold the company accountable for its crimes.

For the first time in over a decade, Animal Equality released an investigation into Spain’s horse meat industry. At a slaughterhouse in Asturias, investigators found horses ineffectively stunned before slaughter and left to slowly bleed to death. Horses watched in fear as their companions were killed in front of them.

Ahead of the UK General Election in July, the Labour Party committed to a foie gras import ban. This declaration followed a supporter email action led by Animal Equality.

Animal Equality publishes longest undercover investigation to date. An undercover investigator spent four months documenting conditions at one of Germany's largest pig farms. The extensive footage shows serious violations of animal protection regulations–including illegal killing, deliberate mistreatment, and neglect.

Despite offering sustainable, plant-based dishes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Olympic Committee confirmed foie gras will be served to high-paying guests in luxury lounges. After The Independent exposed this controversy, Animal Equality launched a global campaign to remove foie gras from the menu.

At the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Animal Equality President Sharon Núñez, Vice President for Latin America Dulce Ramírez, and UK Executive Director Abigail Penny delivered speeches. President Sharon Núñez’s speech was featured on an animal advocacy podcast called How I Learned to Love Shrimp.

In April, the UK Government approved a non-minor amendment to salmon labeling, permitting the change from ‘Scottish farmed salmon’ to ‘Scottish salmon.’ Industry representatives had claimed that consumers are aware all supermarket salmon is now farmed, despite polls suggesting just 6% are. This May, Animal Equality submitted an appeal to the Tribunal to reverse the decision.

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.

Using bicycles and posters, Animal Equality in Germany informed career fair visitors about extreme confinement in Aldi Süd's US supply chain, encouraging them to make well-informed job choices.

Animal Equality in Germany attempted to deliver over 52,000 signatures to the Ambassador of the Republic of India, denouncing the suffering of cows in India. The government representative refused to accept the signatures, causing demonstrators to gather in front of the embassy.

Animal Equality in Mexico joined a discussion at the Guerrero State Forum on Animal Protection and Welfare. This discussion was part of a forum called the "National Dialogues for the Debate of Constitutional Reforms," which allows citizens to address lawmakers and secure legal protection for animals.

As a member of the Open Wing Alliance, Animal Equality in the U.S. joined a campaign against Hilton Worldwide and other hospitality groups. Advocates pointed out Hilton’s failure to report meaningful progress on its commitment to eliminate cages for hens and pigs in its supply chain.

In collaboration with other organisations, Animal Equality and Congresswoman Luciene Cavalcante (PSOL) filed two federal bills in Brazil. The first would ban chick killing in the egg industry. The second would require labelling on animal products to inform consumers about cruel production methods, such caging, mutilating, castrating, and dehorning animals without anaesthesia.

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved an initiative by Animal Equality, Alianza Alimentaria, and Acción Climática to create the country’s first General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Nutrition. This law will promote plant-based food consumption while reducing the consumption of animal products.

For World Pulses Day, Love Veg in Mexico launched a legume-themed cookbook inspired by the need to protect chickens from factory farming cruelty.

In 2023, Animal Equality in Italy denounced the 27 European Union member countries where fast-growing chickens are bred to suffer against European law. The EU Commission intended to close our complaints, but Animal Equality objected. The Commission then revised its decision, keeping our complaints open to continue with the investigation.

Animal Equality engaged in discussions with Mexico’s Political Coordination Board to encourage informed debate and reflection regarding the protection of farmed animals. Through this discussion, they called on the Senate directly to amend Article 73 of Mexico’s Constitution and establish the groundwork for Mexico’s first General Animal Welfare Law.

Love Veg in the U.S. relaunched with a new pledge to join the Love Veg community. Subscribers receive a free e-cookbook and regular expert tips to begin their plant-based journey. Love Veg celebrated its fresh look with a billboard in the heart of Times Square in New York City.

Almost a year after launching a campaign against cruelty in Denny’s supply chain, Animal Equality launched a secondary campaign against Finn Partners, a public relations firm for which Denny’s is a client. Animal Equality is calling on Finn to cut ties with the diner chain and its association with animal cruelty. The campaign kicked off with a protest in New York City and Finn Partners’ flagship office. Animal Equality’s President and Executive Vice President joined the demonstration.

Animal Equality–in collaboration with Animal Partisan and a local Colorado attorney–filed a request for criminal charges against Colorado Lamb Processors and one of its supervisors, who was involved in an incident in which a lamb was improperly stunned three times prior to slaughter.

The trial of a farm filmed by journalist Jordi Évole and Animal Equality in Spain is set for sentencing. The trial comes after a 2018 investigation by Animal Equality in collaboration with the renowned Spanish television program Salvados, which exposed extreme animal abuse. The two owners of the farm face up to 14 counts of animal cruelty.

Animal Equality traveled to Denny’s headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to deliver a letter representing more than 53,000 messages from concerned citizens gone ignored by the corporation. They were turned away by a Denny’s representative, and the police were called as they exited peacefully. Spartanburg’s local FOX News channel provided coverage of the event.

Animal Equality in India released an investigation into 19 egg farms across India, where investigators found extreme cruelty and criminal violations. The findings included hens with severe injuries, piles of feces beneath their cramped cages, and hens suffering from slow, painful deaths without care.

Writing personally to Animal Equality’s supporters, celebrity Chris Packham drew attention to ‘zombie salmon’ who suffer from deformities, disease, and deadly lice attacks, urging the Scottish Government to halt the industry’s growth. His letter inspired politician Monica Lennon to question Salmon Scotland about these issues in the Scottish Parliament.

During a protest against extreme confinement in Denny’s supply chain, the son of a Denny’s executive was photographed issuing an obscene gesture to activists. This is the first response Animal Equality received from Denny’s, despite tens of thousands of emails, phone calls, and other actions taken by concerned consumers.

Animal Equality relaunched a global campaign against the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras. With the relaunch, Animal Equality released never-before-seen images of force-feeding on duck farms in France.

Animal Equality shows never-before-seen evidence of the cruelty of gestation crates and the mutilation of piglets on farms in Spain. Despite public support in Spain for a ban on gestation crates and regulations governing mutilations, these practices are still standard.

The influential expert-led Animal Welfare Committee accepted a number of key suggestions proposed by Animal Equality UK for farmed fish legislation at the time of killing. These measures include making CCTV mandatory in fish slaughterhouses, increased inspections, heightened transparency and greater law enforcement.

Like Champagne, Scottish salmon received a Protected Geographical Indication, but to use this special labeling status, it must denote that the salmon is farmed; all Scottish salmon has been since 1982. The salmon industry has proposed an amendment to remove the need to include the term ‘farmed’. Via The Times, Animal Equality challenged this proposal, arguing that it could potentially mislead unsuspecting consumers.

Carrying banners, signs, and leaflets, activists joined Animal Equality in Brazil to protest against the Delta supermarket chain in Piracicaba, São Paulo. The protest is part of Animal Equality’s campaign against Delta to establish protections for hens.

Animal Equality released an investigation inside five pig farms in Spain, capturing evidence of painful injuries and death from the unsanitary conditions. Live animals were found nibbling on the bodies of dead pigs, while dead rats and maggots were found around the farm.

Using footage obtained by Animal Equality in the UK, BBC Countryfile ran a televised segment about rising on-farm death rates in the Scottish salmon industry. The programme prompted hundreds to turn to Twitter and vow to boycott fish products as a result.

Animal Equality in Brazil met with Members of the European Parliament to discuss the detrimental impact the EU-Mercosur Agreement will have on animals and the environment.

Animal Equality campaigned against the extreme confinement of mother pigs in Denny’s supply chain with a digital billboard in Times Square, New York City. It featured a video of a pig begging to be freed from its tiny, metal cage with text that read, “Animal abuse is bad for business.”

Animal Equality in Mexico promoted an initiative to amend the Animal Welfare Law in the State of Quintana Roo. This initiative aims to improve animal protections on farms.

In Mexico, official data about chicken and hen mortality only includes the number killed in slaughterhouses. It does not include those who die before the time of slaughter, often due to poor welfare. Animal Equality published a report which finally accounted for these early deaths.

Animal Equality in the U.S. released a new undercover investigation into India’s dairy industry. The investigation featured celebrated actress and activist Richa Moorjani, who presented the findings. In addition to shocking new footage from India, the release featured evidence of the suffering of animals used for dairy from around the world, including in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Mexico.

Animal Equality in Brazil conducted an investigation into four egg farms and a hen slaughterhouse in São Paulo. Around 95% of hens in Brazil are given less space than a sheet of paper. Thirteen birds were housed in each cage, leading to cannibalism, extreme heat stress, painful injuries, and diseases. No veterinary treatment was provided.

In a historic decision, the United States Supreme Court decided to uphold California’s Proposition 12. Deemed America’s “strongest farmed animal protection law,” Prop 12 established protections for hens, pigs, and calves typically confined to tiny cages for most of their lives. Animal Equality, as part of a coalition, campaigned to pass this law in 2018 and worked to uphold it in the Supreme Court.

Following pressure from Animal Equality in the U.S. and two fellow animal protection organizations, leading consumer packaged goods company Conagra has committed to eliminating crates for mother pigs in its supply chain. Conagra is the supplier of iconic food products Slim Jim, Chef Boyardee, Orville Redenbacher, and other classic brands.

On March 30th – with 482 votes in favor and one abstention – the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico approved an amendment to Article 73 of the Constitution, this brings us closer to having a general animal welfare law. This initiative was presented by deputy Fausto Gallardo in collaboration with Animal Equality that presented more than 100,000 signatures in support of the change.

The Congress of Mexico City passed legislation promoted by Animal Equality to outlaw clandestine slaughterhouses. Operators of these facilities will now be subject to two to four years in prison and a fine. The proposed legislation passed with 51 votes in favour, 2 dissents, and no abstentions.

The EU Commission has responded to a complaint by Animal Equality, acknowledging that the breeding of “fast-growing” chickens is problematic. This response follows allegations by Animal Equality that the European Commission’s 27 member states violated the law by breeding these animals though it causes suffering. The Commission has indicated that it is considering options for action to address the negative consequences of raising these animals as part of its review of legislation on the welfare of farmed animals, due by 2023.

Using drones, Animal Equality gained access to the secretive Scottish aquaculture industry, showing the life and death of farmed fish. Investigators filmed boats slaughtering salmon and trout at farms off the coast of Scotland, which have ties to the US seafood market. The investigation revealed that between January and November 2022, nearly 15 million salmon died early on fish farms in the UK - a record number of on-farm deaths for this industry. Following the investigation, Animal Equality issued an open letter signed by supporting politicians, calling for the expansion of the destructive Scottish salmon industry to be halted.

Alongside a host of compassionate celebrities - including Alesha Dixon, Diane Morgan, Peter Egan and Miriam Margolyes - Animal Equality UK and PETA UK sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, urging him to ban foie gras imports. This letter was reported on exclusively in The Guardian and received major media attention.

Animal Equality, along with 18 animal protection organizations in Europe, joined at the EU Parliament to call for a ban to the slaughter of male chicks in the egg industry. The event was supported by Members of the European Parliament, as well as experts in animal welfare and technological alternatives to chick slaughter. Every year, 300 million are crushed, gassed or ground up in Europe because they cannot lay eggs and are not one of the fast-growing breeds used for meat.

Animal Equality has investigated the slaughter of horses for their meat in Mexico, Spain and Italy. These investigations showed the unnecessary suffering of these animals who are often killed while conscious. Over 4.3 million horses are consumed by humans around the world every year. Now we are demanding a ban on the transport and slaughter of these sensitive animals.

In a historic achievement for animals promoted by Animal Equality, Italy has passed a law banning the killing of day-old male chicks in the egg industry. The industry must implement measures by 2026 to comply with the law. The new law will impact the lives of 25-40 million animals annually.

Animal Equality’s investigation into a fast-growing chicken farm in Italy revealed chickens living in manure and urine-soaked litter, dead and decaying animals left among the living, and chickens suffering from injuries due to their weight and size. The two filthy sheds we investigated house nearly one million chickens every year.

Animal Equality in India released an undercover investigation revealing workers abusing a female buffalo as they attempted to load her onto a transport truck. Animal Equality submitted evidence of this incident to the Animal Welfare Board of India, which filed a complaint with the Kolkata Police. Animal Equality has denounced these crimes and calls for the workers to be prosecuted.

Animal Equality released the most extensive investigation completed by an organization documenting the emotional and physical suffering of cows, pigs, and sheep in more than 30 slaughterhouses in 13 states of Mexico. Images show how cows and pigs experience pain and fear at the time of slaughter because they are still conscious due to ineffective stunning methods.

Animal Equality in Mexico introduced an initiative to recognise the sentience of animals in the Political Constitution of Nuevo León, Mexico. This recognition will be essential for protecting all species in Nuevo León, where more than 42 million animals are killed for their meat.

After negotiations with Animal Equality, Mantiqueira—South America's largest egg farm —was the first Latin American company to commit not to buy female chicks from hatcheries that practice chick killing. This is an important step for hatcheries interested in using new technology that can determine the sex of the chick before it hatches.

Animal Equality is prosecuting the owners from 'the farm of horrors' in Spain, where we recorded with the television program Salvados, pigs suffering from large hernias, deformation, dead pigs, and cannibalism. We’re imposing a 3-year prison sentence and 9 years of being prohibited from working in any animal-related profession for each defendant.

Animal Equality UK speaks up for fish in a first-of-its-kind Parliamentary event. Animal Equality presented at the first UK Parliamentary meeting ever to take place focusing on fish welfare at the time of killing. Coordinated by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, and hosted by former President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, MP Lord Trees, the meeting discussed the need for increased legal protections for farmed fish.

Animal Equality released an investigation inside three Brazilian slaughterhouses following the Senate’s initial approval for a bill reducing government oversight and giving companies the power to conduct their own inspections. Our investigation revealed employees kicking animals, killing them while still conscious, dragging them with ropes, and twisting their tails to inflict pain. We’ve requested Senators to postpone the voting and hold a new public hearing so that the voices of animal advocates can be heard.

Animal Equality released an investigation into lamb transportation during the Easter holiday this April from Eastern Europe to Italian slaughterhouses. The images we captured showed lambs traveling by the hundreds in trucks with insufficient space causing the inability to stand, a non-functioning watering system with leaks, a damaged temperature monitoring system, and a lack of dividers between animals with horns. We’re calling on policymakers to do more to protect them and end this cruel trade.

The Congress of the State of Hidalgo unanimously approved the initiative promoted by Animal Equality to reform the Law for the Protection and Dignified Treatment of Animals and the Criminal Code of Hidalgo. Acts of cruelty to animals, including farmed animals, are now considered crimes punished with prison sentences of up to 4 years. Nearly 50 million cows, pigs, hens, chickens, and other animals raised on factory farms and killed in slaughterhouses in Hidalgo will now be more protected from abuse. Hidalgo is now the first state in Mexico to protect farmed animals in law.

Award-winning British-Australian actress Miriam Margoyles has joined Animal Equality’s campaign to help cows and calves who suffer in the dairy industry. Launched via The Independent, it calls on the UK Government to move subsidies away from the dairy industry and towards plant-based alternatives like oat milk and soy milk and to support farmers in making the transition.

The EU for Animals campaign, calling for an EU Animal Welfare Commissioner, was promoted by Animal Equality and over 40 animal protection organisations. The campaign has received more than 169,000 public signatures and has been signed by 127 members of the European Parliament of all political groups. If the initiative is passed, the Commissioner's responsibility would become “Health, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare.”

Animal Equality introduced a bill in Mexico to recognise all animals with a complex nervous system as sentient beings with welfare protections under the law. If the bill is approved, the initiative will amend article four of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and improve animal protection in the country.

Animal Equality released an investigation into a pig farm in Jalisco, Mexico where our investigators uncovered the painful mutilations that pigs endure shortly after birth. The images we uncovered showed piglets being castrated or having their tails cut without anaesthesia.

Animal Equality released an investigation revealing how fast-growing chickens raised for meat are condemned to a life of suffering. Our team in Italy collected seven dead chickens from an intensive farm and analysed their bodies with help from specialist veterinarians. The analysis concluded that fast-growing chickens are unable to lead healthy, long lives, no matter the environment, due to their breeding.

Animal Equality released disturbing undercover footage of deliberate violence and neglect on Madox dairy farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Our investigator covertly filmed troubling scenes including a number of serious legal violations, which were featured in a BBC Panorama documentary. The footage revealed workers kicking and punching cows in the face and stomach, twisting their tails, and hitting them with sharp, metal shovels.

Animal Equality's petition to ban UK imports of foie gras made by force-feeding surpasses 250,000 signatures. Following this, we coordinated an open letter to the UK Government from several influential celebrities, urging it to deliver on its promises to ban this cruel 'delicacy'.

Animal Equality released an undercover investigation documenting scenes of suffering and abuse of birds at a chicken hatchery in California, USA. The facility provides baby chickens to farms managed by Foster Farms, where they are raised and then slaughtered. Foster Farms supplies major American grocery and fast food chains. The investigation exposed serious violations of California’s animal cruelty laws and showed chicks routinely being brutally killed or left to slowly die from injuries.

Following Animal Equality’s campaigning and lobbying work, a proposal to introduce a ban on the killing of male chicks in the egg industry is approved by the Italian Parliament. This historic victory for animals will end the cruel practice of male chick culling by 2026, stopping the slaughter of up to 40 million male chicks every year in Italy.

Animal Equality infiltrated tilapia farms in Mexico and uncovered the suffering of these animals at the hands of the farmed fish industry, due in part to the lack of laws protecting them from extreme cruelty. Our researchers documented shocking scenes in several farms, showing serious health and welfare issues.

Twenty five world-leading aquatic animal experts signed an open letter, coordinated by Animal Equality, issuing a demand for increased protections to be given to farmed fish in law. The measures called for include mandatory, independently-monitored CCTV in slaughterhouses to improve monitoring, and the introduction of more frequent, unannounced inspections.

The Welsh Government announces plans to introduce mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses in the country. This follows Animal Equality's 2019, investigation into Farmers Fresh Wales slaughterhouse. As a result of our investigation, thousands of people emailed the Welsh Rural Affairs Minister urging for mandatory, independently monitored CCTV to be put in place in slaughterhouses.

Fried chicken restaurant chain Wingstop UK commits to the Better Chicken Commitment following discussions with Animal Equality UK. In doing so, it becomes the latest fast food brand to eliminate some of the cruellest practices from its chicken meat supply chain.

Animal Equality delivers over 225,000 petition signatures, calling for a UK-wide ban on the importation of foie gras made by force-feeding, to the UK Government at Number 10 Downing Street. We were joined by actor and animal advocate Peter Egan.

Animal Equality launches an international campaign that exposes the ever-expanding and unregulated meat industry in Brazil as the main cause of the country’s extensive environmental destruction and some of the worst abuses against its animals. This devastation and suffering is a direct result of the illegal fires and deforestation in the Pantanal wetlands and Cerrado savannahs.

Subway commits to end some of the very cruellest practices in its European chicken meat supply chain by publicly committing to the European Chicken Commitment. Animal Equality played a major role in this campaign along with other coalition members of the Open Wing Alliance. We sent campaigners to Amsterdam to protest and attempted to meet with Subway’s leadership, held protests in Italy, Spain, and the UK, and mobilised thousands of animal advocates from all around the world to take part in highly impactful digital actions.

A group of MPs from across the country signed an open letter, coordinated by Animal Equality, urging the UK Government’s Environment Secretary and Animal Welfare Minister to publicly confirm a ban on the import and sale of foie gras.

Following talks with Animal Equality, leading London hospitality business GLH Hotels –whose brands include The Clermont, Hard Rock Hotel London and Thistle Hotels – signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment, pledging to end some of the worst abuses for chickens raised for meat across its entire supply chain.

In a historic move for animal protection, the state of Puebla in Mexico voted to pass a law that will criminalise unregulated slaughterhouses (also known as '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.

Animal Equality’s campaign to ban live animal markets the #Campaign4Animals 2020 Award. The award was presented to us by Eurogroup for Animals – a pan-European animal advocacy organisation, whose key focus is to improve the wellbeing of as many animals as possible through effective legal advocacy and public awareness work. Our campaign was highlighted for its tremendous impact on animals, as well as how it responded to the COVID-19 crisis and mobilised supporters.

Animal Equality presents over half a million petition signatures to the United Nations calling for the end of the sale of live animals at markets around the world. In addition, letters were delivered calling on the governing body to publicly acknowledge the risks live animal sales pose to global health and urging policymakers all over the world to restrict markets from selling live animals.

With an overwhelming majority, the European Parliament has voted in favour of banning cages for farmed animals. The historic vote came as a result of the European Citizens’ Initiative to End The Cage Age, a campaign which brought together over 170 organisations, including Animal Equality.

Animal Equality releases an investigation documenting what happens to pigs inside an Italian slaughterhouse, revealing the terrible cruelty that animals endure within these places. The investigation was filmed at a slaughterhouse which is a representative company of the prestigious 'Made in Italy' marketing label used around the world.

In Brazil, Animal Equality releases an investigation into the slaughter of pregnant cows, a practice that happens all over the world. We launched an accompanying public petition calling for the slaughter of pregnant cows to end.

Animal Equality UK releases an investigation showing animal suffering filmed at P&G Sleigh Pig Unit in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. We filmed disturbing cruelty and a number of serious legal violations. The farm is owned by a senior meat industry figure and assured by 'Quality Meat Scotland'.

Animal Equality coordinates an open letter, signed by MPs from various political parties across the UK, urging the Government to press forward with its planned foie gras ban and to outline specifically when and how it will ban the importation of the cruel 'delicacy'.

Joining forces with other animal protection groups and TV naturalist Chris Packham, Animal Equality launches a campaign urging the UK's major supermarkets to eliminate some of the cruellest abuses to the chickens raised for consumption in their supply chains.

Animal Equality releases undercover footage from a slaughterhouse operated by The Scottish Salmon Company, a supplier of major UK supermarkets. The pioneering footage is the first of its kind to be released in the UK and shows the brutal nature in which farmed salmon are killed.

Animal Equality and Champion Petfoods resolve certain legal claims, filed by Animal Equality in 2020, 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.

On International Animal Rights Day, Animal Equality releases a new investigation into the cruel cat and dog meat trade. Together with a group of brave local activists, our investigators visited live animal markets where caged dogs and cats – and the dead bodies of others – were displayed for sale.

Nine months after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Animal Equality releases a new investigation that shows wet markets selling live animals are still in operation. The footage we captured in collaboration with local activists revealed that this threat to public health continues.

Animal Equality released an undercover investigation showing scenes of animal suffering inside an egg farm in West Sussex, England. Many of the distressed birds were suffering from severe feather loss; some were almost completely bald with red, raw skin.

Animal Equality releases covert filming from twelve Red Tractor-assured farms operated by Moy Park, one of the UK's largest chicken producers. The horrifying scenes include chicks' necks being crushed against metal bucket handles and birds with painful burns caused by the filthy conditions. Some of these farms were linked to the supermarket Tesco, leading to the launch of a public awareness campaign highlighting the conditions of chickens raised for Tesco's.

Pizza Express and Nando's publicly announce that they have signed the Better Chicken Commitment, joining hundreds of other companies worldwide. Animal Equality was one of a number of animal protection organisations engaging with these companies and these two policies alone will reduce the suffering of more than 30,000,000 chickens used for meat every year.

Animal Equality documents the gruelling journey of lambs being transported from Spain across the Mediterranean Sea. The distressing footage revealed how animals are treated in the cruel live export trade.

Animal Equality UK launches our Lunch and Learn programme, offering free webinars for company executives interested in sustainability and animal protection. We gave presentations to a variety of companies including PwC and Aviva.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Animal Equality launches a global campaign to ban wet markets which slaughter live animals, with a petition addressed to the United Nations gathering over 500,000 signatures.

Animal Equality carries out a powerful demonstration on London's iconic Tower Bridge, joined by Joaquin Phoenix, linking factory farming to the destruction of our planet and urging people to go vegan.

Abigail Penny is appointed Executive Director of Animal Equality UK.

Papa John's signs up to the Better Chicken Commitment, following dialogue with Animal Equality and The Humane League, impacting approximately 700,000 chickens each year.

Animal Equality hosts a festive fundraiser event, joined by activist Christopher Sebastian and comedian Carl Donnelly.

Animal rights activist and actress Rooney Mara joins Animal Equality for an investigation called 'With My Own Eyes', revealing animals living in horrific conditions on two factory farms in the UK.

Unimaginable cruelty is revealed in an investigation into Farmers Fresh abattoir in Wales. Petrified sheep who were trapped in machinery were brutally decapitated in front of other animals. A Food Standards Agency inspector is on the scene, giving his approval.

Animal Equality releases a new investigation which documents the horrors of buffalo mozzarella production in Italy, including male buffalos left to die of hunger and thirst after being torn from their mothers.

After devastating fires set by cattle farmers destroyed large areas of the Amazon Rainforest, Animal Equality sent investigators to Northern Brazil to document the area’s increased deforestation and the connection to animal agriculture.

Animal Equality launches it's first corporate campaign in the UK, raising awareness amongst the public of how chickens used for meat are treated in McDonald's supply chain. Our team of Animal Protectors carry out quick and easy actions to highlight the issues and encourage McDonald's to act.

Animal Equality joins other members of the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of animal protection organisations, in their Nomad Foods campaign, securing a Better Chicken Commitment within three days. The policy covers popular frozen food brand, Birds Eye.

Animal Equality exposed deplorable conditions inside a pig farm in the Italian region of Lombardy. Our investigators found thousands of pigs living in filthy sheds, with discarded dead bodies left to decompose.

Extreme suffering is uncovered on three British farms raising chickens for Moy Park, which supplies many major retailers. Animal Equality's footage of distressed birds in giant double-decker sheds shocks the public.

Animal Equality releases harrowing scenes of animal abuse and chickens resorting to cannibalism on chicken farms. All three farms investigated produce chickens for Faccenda (now Avara), one of the UK's biggest chicken producers.

Thanks to Animal Equality’s 2018 investigation of Fir Tree Farm in Lincolnshire, UK, three of the pig farm’s workers who were convicted of multiple animal cruelty offences are sentenced for their crimes.

Tate Modern and Skylon, the restaurant at the Royal Festival Hall drops foie gras following our peaceful campaigning. Others subsequently followed suit including The restaurant at The Wallace Collection, a London museum and gallery which is publicly funded and The Bluebird in Chelsea.

iAnimal's dairy film is shortlisted for the social impact category at both Raindance Film Festival and the VR Awards.

Actor and animal advocate Peter Egan joins Animal Equality to deliver 100,000 signatures to the Prime Minister, Theresa May demanding a foie gras import ban post-Brexit.

Animal Equality releases disturbing scenes of mite-infested hens suffering inside filthy cages on an egg farm in Italy.

Animal Equality releases shocking scenes of distressed calves being brutally handled and force-fed at Coombe Farm in Somerset, an organic dairy farm certified by the Soil Association and RSPCA Assured, supplying Waitrose and Yeo Valley. Both Waitrose and the RSPCA immediately suspended the farm following our investigation.

Animal Equality releases scenes of violence and neglect against pigs and piglets on Rosebury Farm in Bedfordshire. As a result, Red Tractor withdrew the farm's assurance certificate.

Animal Equality releases shocking scenes of animal abuse filmed on Fir Tree pig farm in Lincolnshire, which is owned by Elsham Linc – one of Britain’s largest pig producers. Several months later, three of the pig farm’s workers were convicted of multiple animal cruelty offences and sentenced for their crimes.

Animal Equality carries out the first investigation into the Mexican chicken industry exposing the suffering of these animals at hatcheries, farms, during transportation and at slaughterhouses.

In April 2018, Animal Equality releases a new investigation inside Italian chicken hatcheries

Britain’s best-known birder and national treasure, Bill Oddie OBE, joined MPs and Animal Equality campaigners to call on Michael Gove to ‘Make Britain Foie Gras-free’ as they handed over 70,000 signatures backing an import ban post-Brexit.

Animal Equality launches campaign to help chickens exploited for McDonald's. Animal Equality published a full-page open letter in The New York Times to launch the campaign.

Noble Foods, the UK's biggest egg producer, announces a commitment to producing solely cage-free egg production by 2025. The decision, which will reduce the suffering of millions of birds every year, came after an Animal Equality investigation inside one of its suppliers.

Animal Equality visits SXSW in Texas, USA, one of the world's most important interactive, film, and music festivals to show iAnimal to hundreds of attendees.

Animal Equality releases an investigation into the cruel Italian rabbit meat which routinely ignores the rules and regulations meant to minimise animal suffering during the cruel slaughter process.

Animal Equality, in collaboration with the Spanish TV program Salvados, reveals devastating scenes of extreme animal suffering on a Spanish pig farm which supplies El Pozo - a sausage brand stocked by several major retailers.

Animal Equality presents an investigation inside pig slaughterhouses in Italy.

Animal Equality releases a study, in collaboration with Faunalytics, about the impact of video outreach.

Our investigators infiltrate the Italian lamb meat industry showing images of one of the roughly 200 abattoirs that are allowed to slaughter animals without pre-stunning.

Alongside Mexican TV personality Marco Antonio Regil, Animal Equality presents an exhibition in the Mexican Senate showing photographs inside Mexican farms and slaughterhouses, as well as presenting its virtual reality project to Senators in Mexico.

Animal Equality presents a nationwide investigation in India exposing the cruel and illegal practices in egg and chicken farms. A report and a list of recommendations based on the footage obtained were included in the Law Commission's proposed "Egg Laying Hen Rules and Broiler Chicken Rules", 2017.

Animal Equality brings to the European Parliament in Brussels its evidence showing the mistreatment of farmed animals with an exhibition entitled 'Industrial Livestock: the biggest crime of our time?'. The exhibition showed images of factory farms in Spain, England and Germany.

Animal Equality investigators discover calves caged in tiny pens far past the eight-week legal limit on a UK dairy farm that supplies M&S, resulting in international media coverage. The RSPCA was called in to inspect all dairy farms supplying M&S.

iAnimal - The Dairy Industry in 360º. iAnimal takes on the cruel dairy industry with its third film in the series, narrated by actor Evanna Lynch.

Animal Equality uses drones to expose the devastating environmental impacts of factory farming. Our footage showed facilities across Catalonia, Spain full of toxic waste that is harming nearby residents and animals.

New investigation from Animal Equality brings to light the horrific and illegal cruelties inflicted on egg-laying hens in India.

Animal Equality introduces a legal initiative to criminalise animal abuse in Mexican state of Jalisco.

Celebrities and politicians join Animal Equality’s campaign for a #FoieGrasFreeGB, demanding that the UK Parliament bans the importation of foie gras on the day we exit the EU.

Animal Equality releases its first investigation inside Brazil’s egg factory farms.

Following our undercover investigations we teamed up with the famous Italian actor, Tullio Solenghi to launch a video message to protect lambs during easter holidays.

India introduces new rules, based on findings by Animal Equality, that prohibit the sale of cows and buffaloes at the nation's animal markets.

Thanks to footage taken by Animal Equality, a dairy farm worker in Somerset pled guilty to two counts of animal cruelty and received a 12 month suspended prison sentence, a two-year ban on working with animals and a fine.

Animal Equality releases shocking pictures from a chicken factory farm in Lower Saxony, Germany. The tragic fate of the chick Finn causes a stir nationwide.

The European Parliament approves an initiative by MEP Stefan Eck aimed at ending cages for rabbits raised by the meat industry. Animal Equality supported the initiative with #BanRabbitCages.

Legislation introduced in the Mexican Senate, on behalf of Animal Equality, will criminalise cruelty to farmed animals at the federal level and hold accountable those who abuse them.

Animal Equality visits several farms across Mexico and documents systemic cruelty in the dairy industry. Our investigation revealed painful mutilations and forced pregnancies.

Shocking investigation inside the egg industry receives massive media exposure. Following this investigation the selling of eggs was dropped for an entire week according to the 'Asso Avi' president of the Italian egg industry.

Our second 360º virtual reality film, 42 Days, takes a behind the scenes look into the lives of chickens raised for meat. It is presented and narrated by actor Amanda Abbingdon.

Animal Equality celebrates 10 incredible years of helping animals thanks to the compassion of our supporters.

Animal Equality opens office in Brazil. Animal Equality's Executive Director in Brazil is Vivian Mocellin.

An extensive undercover investigation by Animal Equality inside 31 slaughterhouses in seven different states in Mexico reveals extreme cruelty against animals.

Animal Equality launches the first film in its iAnimal virtual reality film series. Presented and narrated by actor Peter Egan.

Animal Equality Mexico releases a shocking investigation into battery-cage egg farms, the first investigation ever conducted inside factory farms in Mexico.

An Animal Equality investigation uncovers violent abuse of cows and their calves on a family-run British dairy farm.

Four years after Animal Equality revealed some of the most severe animal cruelty ever witnessed on the El Escobar pig farm in Spain, the trial against the four defendants finds them guilty and sentences them to prison.

During an investigation into British chicken farms, Animal Equality investigators rescue a weak young bird who had been thrown into the rubbish skip still alive. She was taken to an animal sanctuary and named Gloria - and she survived!

Animal Equality presents evidence in the EU Parliament from our investigations into rabbit farms, supporting a campaign to ban the battery-cage farming of rabbits.

New investigation reveals the suffering of rabbits during live export and slaughtering in Italy.

Animal Equality investigators expose squalor and suffering on award-winning British pig farms linked to major supermarkets.

Animal Equality's virtual reality project iAnimal celebrates its international premiere during the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in the USA.

Animal Equality conducts the first investigation inside industrial chicken hatcheries in Spain and documents the merciless treatment of millions of tiny chicks. Several tens of millions of people have seen the video on the internet.

An Animal Equality investigation in China reveals the brutal killing of dogs for their skins.

In September 2015, Animal Equality focuses its efforts on farmed animals. As an animal protection organisation we want to make sure that our resources are being used to end the worst forms of animal suffering.

We start our first program at Mexican universities, delivering free vegetarian guides to students from different universities in Mexico.

Animal Equality collaborates with an Italian TV program to show millions of people shocking cruelty in several Italian pig farms and slaughterhouses.

Animal Equality uncovers cruel conditions in two organic laying hen farms that supply to Deutsche Frühstücksei GmbH, Germany's largest egg producer.

The Mexican state of Jalisco prohibits the use of animals in circuses thanks to an initiative presented by Animal Equality and supported by local groups.

Animal Equality rescues several animals from the Italian lamb meat industry, including little Basilico.

After an Animal Equality investigation, Mexico's Office of Environmental Protection seizes over 100 animals from a decrepit zoo called "Club of the Little Animals."

Animal Equality investigates German duck farms and the country's largest suppliers are forced to close for several months. Workers face possible legal consequences.

On the heels of its investigations inside the lamb industry Animal Equality Italy exposed the suffering behind live animals transport direct to the slaughterhouses and rescue two lambs during the investigation.

After an Animal Equality investigation into rabbit farms in Spain and Italy, The Terrace restaurant in London stops offering rabbit meat on their menus.

In November 2014, two of Animal Equality’s international directors Sharon Nunez and Jose Valle incorporate Animal Equality as a non-profit (501c3) in the United States.

Due to the initiative presented by Animal Equality in October 2013 and with the collaboration of other local associations, Guadalajara city in Mexico prohibits the exhibition and use of animals of any kind in circus shows.

Animal Equality in Germany reveals what lies behind the promise of German meat company Edeka's seemingly transparent branded meat program.

The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs passes a nationwide ban on the importation of foie gras as a direct result of Animal Equality’s investigations.

Animal Equality investigates more than 70 facilities across Europe that breed or raise rabbits for meat.

In a landmark victory, a nationwide ban on all performances of bulls, including bullock cart races, was introduced by the Supreme Court in India in May 2014 following the efforts of Animal Equality and other groups.

A directive issued by India's Ministry of Home Affairs reduces the number of large animals killed at the cruel festival of Gadhimai by 80%. The directive was issued after requests by Animal Equality.

For the first time ever coinciding with the celebration of the “Eid al-Adha”, also called the “Feast of the Sacrifice”, Animal Equality exposes to the public the extreme cruelty within the Halal meat industry in Italy.

After investigations by Animal Equality, the consumption of lamb meat in Italy drops by 40% in 2014, and a further 50% the following year.

A groundbreaking investigation filmed with hidden cameras shows once again the cruelty of the lamb industry in Italy. The investigators obtained unprecedented footage of slaughterhouses and lamb weighing. After this exposé 6 out of 10 Italian families ditch lamb meat for good during easter holidays.

More than one hundred people gather in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to commemorate all those animals who suffer in factory farming and die.

Animal Equality’s investigations in China succeed in closing a dog slaughterhouse and 33 dog and cat markets.

In the summer of 2013, Animal Equality rescues six hens from an egg factory farm in Germany.

Thirteen circuses were investigated in the state of Jalisco which led to the confiscation of animals in very bad condition, and two initiatives prohibiting circuses in Guadalajara and Jalisco.

Animal Equality's investigators rescued Vita, a dog used for breeding, from a slaughterhouse in China and took her to Europe where she gave birth to nine babies a short time later.

Animal Equality conducts the first widespread investigation into the dog meat trade in China. An investigator from Animal Equality Germany films at China’s dog markets and slaughterhouses.

An investigation by Animal Equality Italy reveals unprecedented images of cruelty to lambs in farms and slaughterhouses. Following this investigation, lamb meat consumption decreased during Easter holidays.

Over a period of ten months, Animal Equality investigates the zoo Schwaben Park and documents the suffering of the chimpanzees held there.

Animal Equality releases images from an investigation into the a monkey breeding facility. The animals were sold for vivisection labs across the world.

After the release of new footage inside foie-gras farms, the third best restaurant in the world, Mugaritz, is fined for using foie-gras coming from illegal farms.

Animal Equality organises the first congress against repression in Spain.

Animal Equality fills the center of Madrid with crosses in remembrance of the animals victims of human abuse.

Animal Equality organises its fifth Animal Rights Day in the center of Madrid.

Over 60 activists gather in front of the Pantheon to commemorate International Animal Rights Day. First action of this type in Italy. The demonstration received international media coverage.

Animal Equality’s suggestion of a sensor device to prevent elephant deaths due to train accidents was accepted by the Government of India. The device has been developed and is in experimental stage as of October 2016.

After another foie gras investigation by Animal Equality, the largest supermarket chain in Italy, COOP, decides to end the sale of foie gras.

An Animal Equality investigation into British pig farms results in the closure of Harling Farm and the prosecution of its workers for animal cruelty. They receive the longest sentence ever handed down for abuse of farmed animals.

Animal Equality starts working in Mexico in 2012. Animal Equality’s Executive Director in Mexico is Dulce Ramírez.

Animal Equality begins many years of investigations into the foie gras industry. Our petition against foie gras production has reached over 100,000 signatures to date.

Animal Equality presents an investigation uncovering the cruelty behind the capturing and killing of Tuna in Carloforte, Italy.

Thomas Hecquet, Vera Witke, Dani Schmid, Hendrick Hassel and other activists start Animal Equality in Germany. The Executive Director in Germany is Ria Rehberg.

A crowded march against the use of animals in experiments brings hundreds of people together to fight the use of animals in laboratories.

Human Meat Tray Demo in Barcelona, Spain.

On 14th January 2012, Animal Equality registers as an organisation in Italy. Animal Equality’s Executive Director in Italy is Matteo Cupi.

For its fourth Animal Rights Day, Animal Equality brings hundreds of activists together in Madrid.

Hundreds of people join Animal Equality to protest fur farming.

Animal Equality exposes the cruelty behind ritual killings in Melilla.

Animal Equality releases an investigation inside ten Spanish zoos. The investigation gains national attention and sparks a national debate in Spain about zoos and aquariums.

For the third year in a row, Animal Equality exposes the cruelty at the Tordesillas event in Spain.

Animal Equality continues its work in London to educate people about the benefits of plant-based eating.

March against animal experiments in Catalonia, Spain.

Animal Equality starts working in India in 2011. Animal Equality’s Executive Director in India is Amruta Ubale.

Animal Equality commemorates Animal Rights Day with a shocking action at Leicester Square in London, United Kingdom.

Animal Equality rescues five hens from a factory farm in Spain. The organisation is joined by animal activist and photographer Jo-Anne McArthur.

For the third year in a row, Animal Equality releases hidden-camera footage of one of Spain's cruelest bullfighting events, Toro de la Vega.

Animal Equality presents its second investigation into Spanish pig farms. The organisation released a detailed investigation covering over 140 farms. The images captured by the organization were released in prime-time on Spanish television.

Animal Equality carries out another shocking action against bullfighting. The organisation lowers a banner in Puente de Segovia, Spain.

A protest against fur farming brings hundreds of people together in Madrid.

Animal Equality carries out its second cat-walk disruption in Madrid, Spain to protest against the cruelty of the fur industry.

Dozens of activists protest inside a fur shop in Madrid, Spain.

For its second Animal Rights Day, Animal Equality brings together hundreds of activists from different European countries.

Animal Equality carries out the first open rescue of lambs in Spain during Christmas Eve. The rescue is lived streamed becoming the first lived stream open rescue to be carried out.

Animal Equality presents its first investigation inside the fur industry. The organisation releases footage inside several Spanish fur farms.

On 16th October 2009, Animal Equality registers as a non-profit limited company (and in 2016 as a charity) in the UK.

Animal Equality releases hidden-camera footage of one of Spain's cruelest bullfighting event, Toro de la Vega.

Animal Equality lowers a banner against bullfighting in Seville.

Animal Equality carries out its first cat-walk disruption in Madrid, Spain to protest against the cruelty of the fur industry.

Animal Equality carries out an impactful protest against the fur industry. Several volunteers and two of the co-founders of the organisation chain themselves to a fur stall during the biggest fur fair in Spain. The action is covered by Spanish national television reaching millions of people.

Animal Equality carries out a protest against a judge who was shown hunting in the media.

Animal Equality carries out a protest against fur in a shopping mall in Seville, Spain.

Animal Equality carries out its first investigation inside Spanish slaughterhouses. Jose Valle, who would become Animal Equality’s Director of Investigations, visited five slaughterhouses in northern Spain and the images were shown in the media.

Animal Equality rescues ten hens from a factory farm in Spain. The rescue of animals was viewed on television by over 2.5 million people on Spanish TV.

Animal Equality commemorates Animal Rights Day in Madrid by honouring animals who suffer in factory farms and slaughterhouses. This action has been replicated by Animal Equality and other organisations around the world.

Animal Equality uses a shocking action to represent the need for consumers to reject meat and other animal products. This protest has been replicated by organisations around the world.

Animal Equality starts working in Latin America. The organisation creates groups of activists in different countries who carry out protests and distribute pro-veg leaflets.

Protest in the Japanese embassy on the killing of dolphins in Japan every year.

Animal Equality's first action was shocking and gained a great amount of media attention. Two of Animal Equality's founders, as well as two other activists, chained themselves to the entrance of a slaughterhouse in Madrid, Spain.

Animal Equality was founded in 2006 by Jose Valle, Javier Moreno and Sharon Nunez in Spain. Animal Equality's mission is to create a world where all animals are respected and protected.