WASHINGTON —The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced that  Everything Natural, a natural foods grocery store in Clark Summit, Pa. has joined the growing list of grocery stores and universities pledging never to purchase eggs from caged hens.

In the United States, about 95 percent of eggs sold come from hens confined in barren "battery cages," wire enclosures so small the birds can't even spread their wings or engage in many other natural behaviors, such as nesting, foraging, perching, and dust bathing. The cages provide each bird with less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.

Just this year, college and university campuses, as well as Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace (two of the nation's largest natural foods retailers), have announced their pledges to eliminate the sale of eggs laid by chickens confined for months in battery cages.

According to The HSUS Factory Farming Campaign Manager Paul Shapiro, "Battery-caged hens are one of the most abused animals in agribusiness.  Everything Natural has taken a positive step to help reduce animal suffering by pledging never to purchase eggs from caged hens.  We commend their efforts and encourage other grocers to follow suit."

The HSUS is also working with local institutions Keystone College and Marywood University to purchase exclusively eggs from uncaged hens.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with over 9 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.