WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization with nine million members and constituents, announced another success today in the effort to combat the inhumane treatment of animals on farms. Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, has agreed to eliminate the use of eggs from caged hens in its two dining halls and catering operation.
In the United States, approximately 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.
According to The HSUS Factory Farming Campaign Manager Paul Shapiro, "Birds in battery cages suffer immensely, and Grinnell College has taken a bold step by phasing out the sale of eggs from caged birds. We applaud their efforts to help reduce animal suffering and encourage other schools to follow suit."
The move by the college came after discussions with local family farmer Ryan Miller, who operates Farmers Hen House in Kalona, Iowa. Miller has contracted with the college to provide cage-free eggs. Each week, the college uses over 1,440 eggs and about 50 gallons of liquid eggs.
Miller's operation does not use cruel battery cages, which are stacked one on top of the other inside huge warehouses on factory farms. The cages provide each bird with less floor space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.
Grinnell College Director of Dining Services Dick Williams states, "I am delighted that our campus has made such a positive commitment to animal welfare by using only cage-free eggs in our dining halls and catering service. Our students and faculty have been very supportive of this decision."
No federal or state law mandates humane treatment of laying hens. Most states' anti-cruelty statutes either explicitly exempt common farming practices, no matter how abusive, or are never applied to farm animals.
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 hsus.org.
