Progress
for animals
Our successes have helped millions of animals around the globe.
Photo: The Len / Shutterstock.com
Selected international victories AND MILESTONES
United States
SUPERMARKET giant commits to ending cages in its US supply chain
After a year of global pressure, Animal Equality closed its campaign against Ahold Delhaize. The company agreed to phase out cages for hens and pigs in its US supply chain, report on its progress, and add in-store signs urging shoppers to avoid eggs from caged hens.
United Kingdom
UK Government pledges reforms for farmed animals
The UK Government has published its Animal Welfare Strategy for England, setting out pledges to consult on and move away from some of the most harmful practices affecting farmed animals. These include commitments to end cages for hens and mother pigs, shift away from faster-growing chickens and male chick killing, phase out carbon dioxide stunning for pigs, and introduce slaughter protections for farmed fish.
Animal Equality played a key role in shaping these commitments through investigative exposés, expert evidence, and Ministerial engagement. This Strategy marks an important step toward stronger legal protections for animals.
Italy
New guidelines published to end male chicks culling
Italy has officially published guidelines to end the killing of male chicks in the egg industry, a historic progress following years of campaigning and institutional dialogue led by Animal Equality.
Starting in 2027, around 34 million male chicks every year will be spared from being killed within hours of hatching.
Argentina
Animal Equality launches first investigation in Argentina
Animal Equality released its first investigation in Argentina, uncovering cruelty to pigs and cows inside local slaughterhouses. The findings were presented in a video narrated by Argentine actor and comedian Kiki Petrone.
Mexico
Animal Equality named a finalist in the 2025 Best NGOs Awards
Animal Equality was named a finalist for Mexico’s “Best NGOs of 2025” Award, which honours organisations for their excellent management and social impact.
United Kingdom
Animal welfare recognised in UK planning law
In a groundbreaking legal ruling, the High Court confirmed that animal welfare can be treated as a material consideration in planning decisions. This marks the first time UK courts have recognised that the treatment of animals may legally influence planning outcomes and block new factory farm proposals. The decision follows a judicial review brought by Animal Equality and sets a powerful precedent for future development proposals that affect animals.
Europe
Europe now has an Animal Welfare Commissioner
Hungarian politician Olivér Várhelyi has taken office as the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare following efforts by Animal Equality and fellow organisations. For the first time in the history of the European Union, a member of the Commission has been appointed for animals – an historic step in animal protection.
Mexico
The Constitution of Mexico includes animals; a new era for their protection begins.
Animal protection is now part of the Mexican Constitution. President Claudia Sheinbaum signed reforms to Articles 3, 4, and 73, officially adding animal protection to Mexico’s Constitution. The reforms took effect on 3rd December, 2024.
United Kingdom
ANIMAL CRUELTY CONVICTIONS
Three men pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences which took place while they were employed at Fir Tree Farm in Lincolnshire. The convictions result from an exposé by Animal Equality, which revealed footage of repeated and deliberate violent abuse of pigs by the farm workers.
United Kingdom
Largest egg producer goes cage-free following Animal Equality’s investigation
4.3 million hens per year will be spared from living confined in a wire cage. While cage-free isn’t cruelty free, this commitment made by Noble Foods, the largest egg producer in the UK, will impact millions of animals every year. The change in the company’s policy comes after a hard-hitting investigative exposé by Animal Equality that showed the terrible conditions hens used for egg production were living in and an intense campaign by The Humane League.
United Kingdom
Dairy worker convicted of animal cruelty
Shocking cruelty to cows and calves documented by Animal Equality investigators results in the conviction of a dairy farm worker.
Europe
EU Parliament votes to protect rabbits
Following a media campaign by Animal Equality, Members of the European Parliament voted to move forward on a proposal to ban cages for farmed rabbits.
Photo: Grzegorz Petrykowski / Shutterstock.com
United Kingdom
Gloria rescued from cruel chicken farm
During an investigation into British chicken farms, Animal Equality investigators rescued a weak young bird who had been thrown into the skip and left to die.
United Kingdom
Closure of Harling pig farm
Shocking cruelty documented by Animal Equality results in the closure of Harling Farm and the prosecution of its workers for animal cruelty.
Spain
HISTORIC SENTENCE HANDED DOWN FOR CRUELTY IN SPAIN
After we revealed horrific animal cruelty on El Escobar farm, the trial against the four defendants finds them guilty and sentences them to the longest sentence allowed under law.
International
BANNING CAGES FOR HENS
Animal Equality has helped secure policy commitments from dozens of companies meaning millions of birds will be cage-free.
Photo: Baiajaku / Shutterstock.com
India
INDIA BANS FOIE GRAS IMPORTATION
India became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide ban on the importation of foie gras. This was a direct result of Animal Equality’s investigative releases.
Photo: Norrapat Thepnarin / Shutterstock.com
China
SHUT DOWN DOG MEAT MARKETS IN CHINA
Animal Equality’s investigations in China succeed in closing a dog slaughterhouse and 33 dog and cat markets, saving around 1.5 million animals.
Mexico
Animal Equality makes history in Mexican Senate
Together with seven senators, Animal Equality introduces historic legislation to protect farmed animals in Mexico from cruelty and abuse.
Spain
Cruel foie gras farm shut down in Spain
A farm that supplied foie gras to one of the world’s most famous restaurants is shut down following an Animal Equality investigation.
India
INDIA ADOPTS ANIMAL EQUALITY’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION
India includes rules proposed by Animal Equality to improve the welfare of hens and chickens raised for food.
United States
Massachusetts pass Proposition 3 against animal cruelty
Thanks to the work of a coalition that included Animal Equality, farmed animals in Massachusetts can no longer suffer in extreme confinement.
Italy
Supermarket chain COOP stops selling foie gras in Italy
Following an Animal Equality investigation and campaign, supermarket chain COOP becomes the first market in Italy to ban the sale of foie gras.
Italy
Fewer lambs consumed in Italy
Animal Equality helps reduce the consumption of lamb meat in Italy by 40% in 2014, and a further 50% the following year.
Spain
Rescue of six piglets in Spain
In August 2007, five Animal Equality investigators rescued six baby pigs in broad daylight. This was the first ever open rescue done inside a Spanish farm.
China
Rescue of Vita in China
Following an investigation into the Chinese dog meat industry, Animal Equality investigators rescued pregnant Vita from a lifetime of suffering.
Germany
Rescue of hens in Germany
In 2013 our team rescued six hens from a hen farm in Germany. These social and delicate animals now enjoy a life in freedom in a sanctuary.
Spain
Rescue of two lambs and their mother in Spain
In December 2009, Animal Equality rescued a mother sheep and her two newborn offspring. Instead of being separated and ultimately killed, they now had their freedom.
Italy
Rescue of Basilico in Italy
In May 2015, and as part of its Save a Lamb campaign, Animal Equality rescued Basilico from a farm in Italy. In collaboration with the Italian sanctuary ‘The Green Place,’ we stepped in, and Basilico was immediately fed, taken care of and brought to an animal sanctuary. He now lives his life surrounded by compassionate people who will take care of him.
Spain
Rescue of 11 hens
Animal Equality rescued eleven hens for International Animal Rights Day in December 2010.
These one-and-a-half-year-old animals had spent eleven months trapped behind bars with no access to natural light.
Mexico
ANIMAL CIRCUSES BANNED IN JALISCO
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.
