Author: Erica Heffner

Humane Society International / Latin America

Japanese whaling
Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Alamy

LIMA, Peru—Attempts to bring back commercial whaling both directly and under the guise of food security have both failed at the 69th International Whaling Commission meeting in Peru this week, to the relief of animal protection and conservation non-profits including Humane Society International.

The draft resolution on food security had been submitted by the Republic of Guinea and co-sponsored by Cambodia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Congo, Senegal and St. Kitts and Nevis, close allies of Japan which has sought to scrap the moratorium since it was first adopted in 1982. However, realising that they would have lost if put to a vote, the proponents withdraw it instead. They will work on it intersessionally before the next IWC meeting in Australia in 2026.

Dr Madison Miketa, wildlife scientist at Humane Society International, said: “While we are glad this proposal has been withdrawn, we don’t believe it should return in the future because the IWC is not the appropriate venue for addressing food security concerns. This proposal was never about food security; the nations that put forward this proposal have no history or cultural traditions of eating whale meat. In fact, 110 signatories from West and Central Africa (the region of the majority of proponents of this proposal) condemned the proposal and state that whale meat consumption doesn’t contribute to food security in their region. This proposal was about being a good ally to pro-whaling Japan which has continually attempted to erode the ban on commercial whaling.

“Whales are worth far more alive than dead and are critically important for healthy, productive oceans. For communities reliant on eco-tourism and whale watching income, or those dependent on healthy fish stocks, the presence of abundant whale populations is a lifeline. Furthermore, killing these long-lived, slow reproducing animals who are also impacted by myriad human-caused threats such as climate change, pollution and fisheries bycatch, would do nothing to ameliorate food insecurity. Not to mention that whale meat and blubber are often contaminated with high levels of pollutants and heavy metals such as mercury and PCBs, making them unsafe for human consumption.”

Since the ban on commercial whaling was implemented in 1986, the majority of nations that were previously engaged in commercial whaling have successfully transitioned to whale watching, which depends on healthy whale populations. Not only have they not suffered economic or nutritional distress as a result, but protecting whales, rather than killing them, delivers far better economic, social and environmental benefits to local communities.

Also withdrawn was a proposal aimed at undermining the more than 40-year-old ban on commercial whale killing. The draft resolution had been submitted by Antigua and Barbuda and co-sponsored by St. Lucia, close allies of Japan which has sought to scrap the moratorium since it was first adopted in 1982. These two countries supported Japan’s pro-whaling agenda when it was an IWC member, and although Japan withdrew from the IWC in 2019, it continues to project its pro-whaling influence via its allies.

Grettel Delgadillo, deputy director of Humane Society International/Latin America says: “We are relieved that the dark and dangerous resolution to resume commercial whaling was withdrawn and can no longer take up precious time here at IWC. Lead proponents Antigua & Barbuda with the support of St Lucia, chose withdrawal over inevitable defeat on the floor once they realised the majority of nations gathered would not support their attempts to dismantle the global moratorium. But for this twin-nation state to so persistently pursue a pro-whaling agenda despite having no dietary, cultural, economic or historical connection with whaling or whale meat, demonstrates how Japan continues to influence IWC despite no longer being a member. The global moratorium on whaling has spared the lives of hundreds of thousands of cetaceans and been instrumental in pulling many species back from the brink of extinction. Commercial whaling is unethical, unsustainable and unnecessary. Whales face myriad threats from commercial hunting, fisheries bycatch, noise and plastic pollution, ship strikes and the urgent climate crisis. They need the moratorium and the IWC now more than ever.”

HSI’s whale experts at the IWC meeting are available for interviews.

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Media contact: Wendy Higgins, Director of International Media, whiggins@hsi.org

Humane Society International / Latin America

Vanessa Mignon

LIMA, Peru—Delegates from Humane Society International attending the 69th International Whaling Commission meeting in Peru, expressed bitter disappointment today that pro-whaling nations have once again voted against the creation of a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic. The votes were 40 in favour, 14 opposed with 3 abstentions, therefore failing by just one or two votes to achieve the three quarters majority needed.

The proposal by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay has been put forward at successive IWC meetings for the past 26 years—it was first proposed in 1998 by the government of Brazil, during the 50th IWC meeting held in Oman. If successful, the sanctuary would have would have banned any commercial hunting of cetaceans within its waters, extending from the East coasts of Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina across to Western Africa and abutting the Southern Ocean Sanctuary that was established in 1994.

Grettel Delgadillo, deputy director of Humane Society International/Latin America, said: “It’s a bitter disappointment that the proposal for a South Atlantic whale sanctuary has yet again been narrowly defeated by nations with a vested interest in killing whales for profit. There was no legitimate reason to block this proposal except for vain self-interest. For the past 26 years, nations in the region have battled to create a safe haven sanctuary in their waters for whales who face continued threats from commercial whaling, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution, ship strikes and climate change. Some whale populations are also still struggling to recover following decades of commercial whaling in the twentieth century. It is a tragedy that once again the whales have lost the chance of a protection they need more than ever.”

Almost half of the world’s known species, subspecies and subpopulations of cetaceans, are listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Species such as humpbacks, southern right whales and more inhabit the southern Atlantic, and these populations are still recovering from decimation due to intensive commercial whaling of previous centuries. It is crucial that the sanctuary is established to ensure that these whale species recover and thrive.

Despite this setback, whale-friendly nations voted by a resounding majority to accept a resolution proposal to reaffirm the global ban on commercial whale killing. The draft resolution was submitted by the European Union with 37 yes votes, 12 no votes and 8 abstentions.

Delgadillo said: “The EU tabled this compassionate and conservation-minded proposal to remind countries of their legal obligations pertaining to commercial whaling. Considering the persistent attempts by pro-whaling nations to dismantle the 40-year-old ban, the message behind this proposal is much needed. Thanks to the moratorium, the lives of hundreds of thousands of whales will have been saved and many species brought back from the brink of extinction. Commercial whaling is unethical, unsustainable and unnecessary so we welcome the passing of this proposal as a signal to all nations that the world must continue to save the whales.”

The global moratorium on commercial whaling was agreed to in 1982 and implemented from 1986 onwards because the high number of whales being killed was threatening the survival of whale populations. The moratorium is widely considered to be one of the most major conservation successes of our time. It has likely prevented the killing of tens or even hundreds of thousands of whales, blocked the expansion of commercial whaling for decades and allowed some whale populations to recover from cruel and unsustainable mass slaughter.

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Media contact: Wendy Higgins, Director of International Media, whiggins@hsi.org

Humane Society International / South Korea

HSI 

SEOUL—As South Korea’s government today published its much-anticipated Basic Plan for the phase out of the dog meat industry, animal campaigners at Humane Society International/Korea have welcomed it as an “important milestone in this historic plan” and called on other countries across Asia to follow suit. However, more action is needed to prevent unnecessary dog suffering, says HSI/Korea.

Sangkyung Lee, HSI/Korea’s end dog meat campaign manager, made the following statement:

“Publication of the government’s Basic Plan to phase out South Korea’s dog meat industry marks an important milestone in this historic ban that will see it through to completion and end our country’s dog meat era for good. We hope that other countries across Asia where the dog meat trade persists despite public opposition will follow South Korea’s lead so that our Special Act and Basic Plan can be the catalyst for similar compassionate action around the world. HSI/Korea stands ready to further advise the government on dog welfare, and to rescue dogs where we can so that innocent victims of this brutal dog meat industry have a chance of a happy life.”

Regarding the financial support plan for dog meat farmers, HSI/Korea’s Lee said: “We are disappointed that the government’s Basic Plan provides financial support for dog farms based on the number of dogs. While limits are set based on the reported capacity of waste disposal facilities, this approach risks potentially increasing dog breeding with the aim of getting more money from the scheme, with more puppies being born into suffering. This completely goes against the purpose of the special law, risks subjecting even more dogs to unnecessary suffering and could actually make the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ job of dog farm population management even harder in the long-term. We urge MAFRA to rethink this idea and switch instead to a fixed financial amount or support package based on each farmer’s transition business plan.”

On the issue of managing the remaining dogs during and after the phase-out period, Lee added: “More urgent discussions are clearly needed about practical steps that must be prioritized to stop puppies being born on farms during the phase out period. The government must actively engage with local governments and animal protection groups like HSI/Korea, to ensure that farmers immediately separate male and female dogs on farms to stop breeding. There is no excuse for even more innocent puppies to be born into this cruel industry precisely at a time when the goal is to end it.”

Facts:

  • With over 6 million pet dogs now living in Korean homes, demand for dog meat is at an all-time low. A 2023 Nielsen Korea opinion polls shows that 86% of South Koreans won’t eat dog meat in the future and 57% support a ban.
  • Since 2015, HSI/Korea has helped 18 dog farmers across South Korea switch to growing crops such as chili plants and parsley, or water delivery and other livelihoods as part of its Models for Change program.
  • South Korea joins a growing list of governments across Asia that have banned the dog meat trade (with varying degrees of enforcement) including Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Thailand and Singapore, as well as the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai in mainland China, Siem Reap province in Cambodia, and more than 60 cities, regencies and provinces in Indonesia.

Click here to view video and photos of HSI/Korea’s dog meat farm closure program. Contact whiggins@hsi.org to download visuals.

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Tortuguero aims to become Costa Rica’s first animal-friendly community with the support of Humane Society International

Humane Society International / Latin America

Andrea Induni/HSI

TORTUGUERO, Costa Rica—As part of a pilot project by Humane Society International to make Tortuguero, in Limon province, an animal-friendly community, 64 dogs and 19 cats received free preventive care during a two-day veterinary clinic. Tortuguero is a rural, isolated community in Costa Rica where access to veterinary care is limited.

During the clinic, a team of veterinary professionals provided free medical examinations, vaccinations, deworming, blood tests and other preventive care services for Tortuguero’s  animals. A total of 83 companion animals received care at no cost, including 30 from the neighboring community of San Francisco, who were brought over by boat. Pet owners also learned about the impact companion animals can have on local wildlife and vice versa.

“The first phase of the program involved engaging with the community of Tortuguero to understand their concerns pertaining to animals. After understanding the community’s needs, we organized the program’s very first outreach clinic, and identified local individuals eager to champion animal welfare efforts. These ‘Animal Ambassadors’ will receive ongoing training and resources to develop, implement and sustain these activities over time,” Andrea Borel, executive director for HSI/Latin America explained.

One of those ambassadors, Víctor Barrantes, brought his two cats, Menguito and Frescolino, to the clinic for vaccinations and deworming. Victor rescued Menguito after finding him abandoned in a box and adopted Frescolino when the cat began visiting his yard searching for food. Victor says that caring for them has given him a new appreciation for animal welfare.

“I want Tortuguero to have a population of healthy pets who receive proper care, stay indoors and don’t disrupt the beach by digging into the turtles’ nests, With the Animal Ambassadors’ group, I believe we can gradually raise awareness and encourage people to treat pets as members of the family, as they should be,” Barrantes said.

Daneysha Rankin, a 16-year-old girl resident, also visited the clinic with her mother and her dog, Chopper, to ensure he received proper care: “I think it is very important to take responsibility for our pets. Today’s youth are consumed by technology―they prefer robot dogs over real ones. We need to change that mindset and appreciate the living beings around us. Sometimes we pay more attention to TikTok than to the animals that are always by our side,” she shared.

This pilot project has been developed in close collaboration with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC–MINAE), the Tortuguero National Park, the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), the School of Veterinary Medicine of the National University, the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO-MINAE), ASVO Costa Rica, the Tortuguero Environmental Committee, and Sea Turtle Conservancy, among others.

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Media contact: Alejandra Zúñiga: alezuniga@outlook.com

Nineteen scarlet macaws, victims of illegal trafficking, returned to their habitat thanks to wildlife protection and conservation organizations

Humane Society International / Latin America

ARCAS

PETEN, Guatemala―Once the transport cages were opened, a multicolored plumage again adorned the jungle in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, in Guatemala. Nineteen scarlet macaws (Ara macao cyanoptera), an emblematic species in the Central American region, returned to their natural habitat, after having been rescued and confiscated from illegal wildlife trafficking.

While the scarlet macaw is currently classified as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, several countries throughout Central and South American list the species as under greater threat. Researchers estimate there are between 150 and 200 scarlet macaws remaining in Guatemala, where they are listed as threatened. The northern subspecies is considered in danger of extinction in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica and Panama; a species of concern in Honduras; and protected from take in Nicaragua. Rainforest habitat loss and wild capture and exploitation for the illegal pet trade are the main threats to this species. Snatched from their nests in the wild, these birds can be trafficked for hundreds of dollars each to countries around the world including the United States, where the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists scarlet macaws as threatened.

The release of these threatened and colorful birds was the result of joint work by non-governmental, non-profit organizations, Asociacion Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre (known as ARCAS) and Humane Society International/Latin America, with the support of the Luis Von Ahn Foundation and Defensores de la Naturaleza, as well as the National Council of Protected Areas, known as CONAP.

All of the released macaws were victims of illegal wildlife trafficking. While most were hatched at ARCAS’s Wildlife Rescue Centre from parent birds rescued from the wildlife trade, two were confiscated directly by the authorities. Fernando Martinez, director of ARCAS Petén, explains: “The two confiscated juveniles were kept in boxes and were destined for the illegal pet trade. Since they arrived at the rescue center when they were young, they had the opportunity to join the rest of the group and return to the habitat from which they were extracted.”

“Through our rehabilitation process, all nineteen young birds have learned the skills necessary to live free and increase the wild population of macaws in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.”

Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/Latin America, said: “Illegal wildlife trafficking in Guatemala poses a major threat to endangered species such as macaws, as traffickers remove chicks from their nests to sell as pets. Such trafficking puts a price tag on these species, leading to unsustainable population declines. In addition to further threats from habitat loss, this illegal activity causes suffering and distress to the birds who are stolen from the wild and smuggled long distances to be sold on the black market for the pet trade. That is why, since 2007, HSI/Latin America has been working with our local partner, ARCAS, on wildlife protection and conservation in Guatemala.”

The release of the macaws to their natural habitat was facilitated by members of the non-governmental organizations listed above, under the supervision of CONAP. The released birds will be observed and monitored for 15 days to track their progress.

Download Photos/Video

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Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI/Mexico

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico—Humane Society International/Mexico, in collaboration with state and municipal partners, is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking pilot program to improve the welfare of companion animals in rural and low-income households in Aguascalientes. This initiative is based on critical needs that were identified in a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind dog population survey in Mexico.

The survey revealed that only 32% of the city’s roughly 310,000 dogs and 40% of its 77,000 cats have been sterilized, raising the chances of unwanted puppies and kittens being abandoned on the streets. Notably, dogs from low-income and rural areas were more likely to be surrendered to local animal control facilities, leading to a euthanasia rate exceeding 90% in 2022.

HSI/Mexico’s program addresses these issues through three main components: a mobile clinic for preventive services, training veterinarians for free sterilization campaigns and an educational initiative to train teachers on responsible companion animal care.

Mobile Vet Clinic

HSI/Mexico has deployed a mobile clinic offering free preventive medicine, including vaccinations, deworming and general veterinary check-ups. The clinic has already served over 200 animals in its early stages. During their companion animals’ treatment visits, families can participate in humane education discussions and children receive coloring books on proper companion animal care. The goal is to keep companion animals healthy and reduce abandonment due to untreated illnesses. Bárbara Morales, program manager of companion animals and engagement for Humane Society International said: “Helping families stay together with their animals and enjoy a healthier and happier life is something that fills your heart with a deep satisfaction. This program allows us to do so, and I am very grateful for that.”

Sterilization Campaigns

Recognizing the urgent need for increased sterilization efforts, HSI/Mexico will collaborate with government institutions to enhance existing spay and neuter campaigns. The program will provide specialized training for veterinarians in high-volume sterilization, pain management and best surgical practices. This initiative aims to decrease the number of free-roaming animals and increase the capacity to care for companion animals across the state.

Humane Education Campaign

The survey also highlighted a widespread lack of knowledge about animal welfare and responsible companion animal care. Hence, HSI/Mexico launched an educational campaign comprising of the following elements:

  • Teaching the Teachers: HSI trains elementary school teachers on animal behavior and welfare, providing them with the “Nose to Tail” curriculum developed in the U.S. This curriculum helps children learn about the responsibilities of companion animal ownership and proper animal care.
  • Direct Advising: At each mobile clinic, HSI offers group or individual consultations with companion animal owners, educating them on the five domains of animal welfare to ensure that their companion animals enjoy fulfilling lives.
  • Media Campaign: HSI will initiate a media campaign to promote responsible companion animals’ ownership. It will include traditional media appearances, social media posts and printed materials like banners and stickers, aiming to embed responsible companion animals’ care into the public consciousness.

HSI/Mexico works hand in hand with key stakeholders, including government agencies such as IEA (Instituto de Educación de Aguascalientes―Aguascalientes’ education institute), PROESPA (Procuraduría Estatal de Protección al Ambiente―Aguascalientes’ environmental agency) and Municipal officials, among others.

By addressing specific needs identified in the survey, HSI/Mexico seeks to create a model that can be replicated in other regions of the country. This initiative underscores HSI/Mexico’s dedication to enhancing the lives of companion animals and supporting the communities that care for them, helping families to stay together.

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay: (+52 55) 5211 8731; mgaribay@idee.agencia

HSI/India welcomes the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission’s commitment to waive off the ‘Target Animal Batch Safety Test’

Humane Society International / India

unoL/iStock.com

INDIA—In a significant move, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has made a progressive amendment and waived off the Target Animal Batch Safety Test (TABST) in the Indian Pharmacopoeia, effective 1st July 2024.  

The TABST, a non-specific safety test for veterinary vaccines, typically involves the administration of vaccine overdose to animals to test that every batch of vaccine produced is safe for a specific species. However, multiple studies have proved that the method lacks specificity and is prone to producing false results. The IPC’s decision to waive the TABST will reduce the number of animals subjected to unnecessary testing and underscores the supportive atmosphere of the regulators and industry to steer away from obsolete animal-based testing.

By recognizing the shortfalls of the TABST and allowing the test to be waived, India is a step closer to aligning itself with international veterinary vaccine testing standards, joining Brazil, Europe, Canada, the US, Japan, and others.  

Alokparna Sengupta, managing director at Humane Society International/India said: “We are delighted at the recent waiver of the TABST. This reaffirms India’s commitment towards eliminating obsolete animal tests for batch release testing of vaccines. We have been working on this with both IPC and the industry since 2020 and we believe that such collaboration is pivotal in this decision. We look forward to facilitating further advancements in other areas of safety testing of vaccines as well.” 

This waiver follows a series of progressive decisions by the IPC. Back in 2018, the Rabbit Pyrogen Test was replaced with the Bacterial Endotoxin Test (BET), followed by the inclusion of the Monocyte Activation Test in 2018 and removal of the Abnormal Toxicity Test for almost all human vaccines in 2020 from Indian Pharmacopoeia monographs. 

Over the last five years, HSI/India’s Research & Toxicology department has been working with the Government of India, the veterinary industry and associated interest holders to promote the development and use of advanced non-animal methodologies. This positive step by the IPC will save countless animal lives whilst enhancing veterinary vaccine safety. 

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Media contact: Shaili Shah: 993059100: sshah@hsi.org

Humane Society International / India

Jaihari AK/HSI 

ASSAM, India—Animal protection charity Humane Society International/India, in collaboration with Humanitarian Aid International, North-East Affected Area Development Society, Just Be Friendly and Anchalik Gram Unnayan Parishad, is providing critical emergency relief to the estimated almost 40 lakh (4 million) animals and people affected by the devastating floods in Assam. The floods have left countless humans and animals stranded, injured and in desperate need of food and medical or veterinary attention.

HSI/India has deployed its Disaster Preparedness, Response and Relief team on the ground to aid collaborative relief efforts, which include emergency animal feed distribution, medical and veterinary supplies, as well as food rations, water and protective gear for families affected. The organization is working closely with district disaster management authority and local organizations to ensure the most affected animals and people are getting the relief they need.

Reports indicate that more than 24 lakh (2.4 million) people have been displaced across 30 districts in Assam, while 15 lakh (1.5 million) animals remain at risk. With more rainfall expected in the coming days, the situation is likely to worsen. Owing to the state’s vulnerable geography and changing climate, Assam continues to grapple with recurring floods, posing a significant humanitarian and animal welfare challenge.

Praveen Suresh, manager of disaster preparedness response and relief at Humane Society International/India, said: “With more than 10 lakhs (1 million) of companion and farmed animals at risk in Assam, the threat to animals also impacts people, their families and their livelihoods. We are witnessing the loss of hundreds of animal lives, with many more suffering injuries, displacement due to their shelters being destroyed plus the high risk of disease spread in the weeks to come. HSI/India is dedicated to providing immediate food and veterinary care to these animals, while also supporting the impacted communities. As we assess the evolving situation, we will progressively scale up our response to ensure we can assist as many affected animals and communities as possible amidst the devastating floods Our current relief operations plan is to mainly focus on Dorrang, Dhubri and Barpeta districts of Assam, which are also the most affected ones”

Facts:

  • HSI/India’s Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Response team has been responding to disasters since 2013, starting with the Uttarakhand flash floods and including the devastating Kerala floods in 2018 where the organization provided relief to more than 1,000 vulnerable families and 100,000 animals.
  • In 2022 and 2023 alone, HSI/India helped save more than 30,000 animals from floods in Delhi, Telangana and Assam.

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Media contact: Shaili Shah: 9930591005; sshah@hsi.org

Thanks to the joint work of animal welfare organizations, 41 parrots return to their natural habitat

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

PETEN, Guatemala—A group of 41 parrots of different species (Amazona autumnalis and Amazona alfibrons), iconic in the Latin American region, were released in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve after they were rescued and confiscated from illegal wildlife trafficking.

The release of these birds into their natural habitat was the result of the joint work of animal welfare nonprofit organizations, Asociacion Rescate y Conservacion de Vida Silvestre and Humane Society International/Latin America, who have worked together since 2007 to protect wildlife in Guatemala.

Most of the parrots were seized in 2021 by the authorities while they were being held captive in wooden boxes in a hotel in Flores, Peten. The rest of the group was brought to ARCAS after a series of rescues throughout the rest of 2021 and, after their quarantine period, they all joined the initial group and have progressed together in their rehabilitation process.

Andrea Borel, executive director of HSI/Latin America, explained that negative interactions between people and wildlife, as well as illegal trafficking of wild birds such as parrots, are becoming more common in the region.

“The capture of wild animals for the national and international pet trade is a real problem in Guatemala. These animals are often kept in cramped, inadequate conditions and denied the ability to exhibit their natural behaviors, which can further cause them physical and psychological distress,” Borel said.

Borel continued: “By supporting and working with our local partner, ARCAS, this rescue, rehabilitation and release program is giving these birds back their freedom as well as increasing their wild populations to ensure future breeding in their natural forest habitat where they belong. We also work together on raising awareness and urging citizens not to buy products from wildlife and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.”

Fernando Martinez, ARCAS director, said, “In our Rescue Center, the animals’ physical, medical and ethological rehabilitation is carried out under strict standards and in compliance with protocols for the different species that are brought in, as a result of illegal trafficking or negative interactions with human beings, to later be released into the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.”

Martinez continued: “Our mission is to protect wildlife and, with these parrots’ release, we contribute to maintaining genetic diversity and thus ensure the survival of the species. These birds will be monitored for 15 days, through direct observation methods on previously designed platforms and trails.”

ARCAS Wildlife Rescue Center and HSI staff facilitated the parrots’ release in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. under the supervision of the governmental National Council of Protected Areas, or CONAP.

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Media Contact: Andrea Borel: aborel@hsi.org

Humane Society International

HSI

On May 22, Humane Society International hosted a webinar with three companies that have successfully transitioned to sourcing eggs exclusively from cage-free hens. Representing various business sectors, retailer Casa Santa Luzia, global hotel chain Marriott, and pet food company Special Dog, have each demonstrated how corporations can expand their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives by transitioning to a cage-free supply chain.

HSI kicked off the webinar with an overview of the growing number of companies prioritizing animal welfare in their ESG initiatives. Globally, over 2,000 companies, including more than 160 in Brazil, have committed to transitioning to cage-free practices. HSI commended Casa Santa Luzia, Marriott, and Special Dog for their successful transitions to cage-free production systems, noting that the companies are sending a powerful message to their peers and producers, while changing the lives of countless animals for the better.

Representing the retail sector, Casa Santa Luzia, a high-end retailer from the state of São Paulo, opened the panel discussion. Luciana Lopes, coordinator of the Sustainable Action Program at Casa Santa Luzia, provided an overview of the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and its supply chain process. “The retail sector plays a very important role in educating on sustainability. And that is what we are trying to do every day,” said Lopes. In 2023, Casa Santa Luzia sold 2.5 million shell eggs, and will continue to only sell eggs from cage-free hens moving forward.

Next to speak was Marriott, represented by Jason Silva, the company’s procurement manager at Renaissance Hotel São Paulo. Silva emphasized Marriott’s dedication to high animal welfare standards and sustainable practices among its suppliers. Acknowledging HSI’s crucial support, Silva stated, “HSI has been helping us understand if suppliers are, in fact, meeting the parameters we want in terms of animal welfare. This is the most critical part of our company’s process of homologation [assessing and aligning] of new suppliers.” In 2023, the company purchased approximately 2.5 million shell eggs and 27 thousand pasteurized eggs.

Special Dog, the first pet food company in Brazil to complete its cage-free transition, concluded the presentations. João Paulo, Special Dog’s sustainable development manager, emphasized how animal welfare is essential in producing high quality pet food, indicating that the company has expanded its commitments to sustainable practices accordingly. Paulo stated, “Special Dog’s sustainability initiatives reach consumers and is today a competitive differential compared to other pet food manufactured brands. Cage-free comes to add to these efforts.” It is estimated that the lives of over 100,000 hens have been positively affected by the company’s shift to cage-free practices.

Anna Souza, policy and program manager in Farm Animal Welfare and Protection at HSI Brazil, closed the event with a final message: “A commitment to cage-free sourcing is not only a pledge to improve animal welfare, but a foundation for the sustainable development of businesses in all sectors. The future of egg production is cage-free.”

The full event recording can be accessed here (in Portuguese).

Recordings per section can be found below:

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Media contact: Anna Cristina Souza: asouza@hsi.org.

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