Mercy for Animals

Milo Runkle wrote in Mercy For Animals: One Man's Quest to Inspire Compassion and Improve the Lives of Farm Animals,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0BsAQAACAAJ|title=Mercy for Animals: One Man's Quest to Inspire Compassion and Improve the Lives of Farm Animals|last1=Runkle|first1=Nathan|last2=Stone|first2=Gene|date=2017|publisher=Penguin|isbn=9780399574054|language=en}} published in 2017, that he founded MFA after a biology teacher at his rural Ohio high school brought dead piglets to class to be dissected. One piglet was still alive, so a student who worked on the teacher's farm grabbed the piglet and slammed her headfirst against the floor. The incident was controversial in the community, yet a judge ruled that the student's action was legal because it was "standard agricultural practice".{{Cite book|title=Mercy For Animals|last=Runkle|first=Milo|publisher=Penguin Random House|year=2017}}

Milo wrote that the injustice weighed heavily on him and led him to create an organization with a mission to protect farmed animals.

MFA conducted its first investigations in 2001. Investigators entered two Ohio egg factory farms at night five times over several weeks. They collected hours of video footage, gave water to dehydrated hens, and rescued other suffering birds.

These open rescues made headlines around the state. Ohio's largest television news station at the time aired the footage, promoting the segment as "The Video the Egg Industry Doesn't Want You to See".

In 2002, MFA investigators recorded footage from inside another Ohio factory farm, Weaver Bros. Egg Farm. About five hours of video showed thousands of hens in cages, birds trapped between cage wire unable to access food or water, and dead animals rotting next to other birds still laying eggs for human consumption.{{Cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/frontpage/2003/03/02/Hen-house-tapes-point-to-cruelty.html|title=Hen house tapes point to cruelty|date=2003-03-02|work=The Blade|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} MFA used the footage to discredit a new Animal Care Certified label which advertised that hens were raised humanely.{{Cite book|title=Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs|year=1996|url=https://archive.org/details/prisonedchickens0000davi|url-access=registration|last=Davis|first=Karen}}

MFA asked prosecutors to investigate and file charges against these farms, but no charges were filed.

Current MFA investigators obtain employment at factory farms and slaughterhouses to document conditions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercyforanimals.org/hidden-heroes|title=Become an Undercover Investigator|website=Mercy For Animals|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} Being in the facilities for extended periods of time allows the investigators to record repeated abuse and make a case for systemic and ongoing cruelty, which can spur animal cruelty convictions, corporate animal welfare policies, and new legislation.

In 2008, animal rights advocates organized a grassroots campaign across California to pass Proposition 2, a state ballot initiative requiring that egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs, and calves raised for veal be given enough room to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around. MFA released investigative footage from inside two of California's largest egg farms, Gemperle Enterprises and Norco Ranch, just two weeks before the vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/erbe/2008/10/14/california-animal-cruelty-could-be-cured-by-proposition-2|title=California Animal Cruelty Could Be Cured by Proposition 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126050451/http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/erbe/2008/10/14/california-animal-cruelty-could-be-cured-by-proposition-2|archive-date=2011-01-26|url-status=dead}} Prop 2 was passed.[https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/mercy-for-animals/ Influence Watch website, ’Mercy for Animals] It is still considered one of the most significant pieces of farmed animal protection legislation ever enacted in the United States.

A year later, MFA investigators in Maine uncovered workers and managers at an egg factory farm killing birds by grabbing them by the neck and swinging them in the air. MFA turned the video footage over to state police, who in turn raided the facility. The facility owner pled guilty to 10 counts of animal cruelty and agreed to pay more than $130,000 in fines and restitution, the largest financial penalty ever levied against a U.S. factory farm.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2009Apr02/0,4675,MEEggFarmProbe,00.html|title=FOXNews.com - Grocers urged to stop buying eggs from Maine farm - Business And Money {{!}} Business News {{!}} Financial News|website=www.foxnews.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

In 2010, several organizations, including MFA, launched a campaign to enact legislation in Ohio that would protect farmed animals. The Ohio Farm Bureau refused to meet with the coalition until an MFA investigation at an Ohio dairy farm showed workers stabbing cows with pitchforks, beating them with crowbars, and twisting their tails until the bones snapped. After the investigation's release, the Ohio Farm Bureau finally agreed to meet with the groups{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2010/07/04/animal-abuse-video-was-impetus-for-critter-compromise.html|title=Thomas Suddes commentary: Animal-abuse video was impetus for critter compromise|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}} and enacted farmed animal welfare reforms.

Propelled by progress in the United States, MFA expanded to Canada in 2012. MFA's first exposé of the Canadian pork industry prompted the country's eight largest grocers to phase gestation crates out of their supply chains.{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/canadian+grocers+agree+phase+pork+raised+restrictive+conditions/8312619/story.html|title=Canadian grocers agree to phase out pork raised in restrictive conditions|last=Shore|first= Randy|work=www.vancouversun.com|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-ca}} A whistleblower documented workers firing metal bolts into pigs' heads - leaving many pigs unconscious for minutes - and cutting off piglets' testicles without painkillers. Some workers slammed piglets headfirst into the ground to kill them. Pregnant pigs were kept in crates so small the animals could not turn around. Canada's popular W5 news program aired the footage nationwide.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/manitoba-s-top-vet-investigating-alleged-pig-farm-abuse-1.1072323|title=Manitoba's top vet investigating alleged pig farm abuse|date=2012-12-09|work=CTVNews|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-CA}}

Canada's pork industry also committed to a national phaseout of gestation crates, and pork producers agreed to stop mutilating piglets without pain relief.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/07/canada-pig-crates-gestation-ban_n_4920564.html|title=Canada Bans Gestation Crates In Which Pigs Can't Turn Around|date=2014-03-07|work=HuffPost Canada|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-CA}}

Footage taken by MFA at two Alberta suppliers to Burnbrae Farms, at the time an egg supplier to McDonald's Canada, prompted nearly 120,000 Canadians to call on McDonald's to ban cages for egg-laying hens in the company's supply chain.{{Cite news|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2013/10/21/investigation-launched-into-treatment-of-chickens-at-2-alberta-farms/|title=Investigation launched into treatment of chickens at 2 Alberta farms - CityNews Toronto|date=2013-10-21|work=CityNews Toronto|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} Following the exposé and public outcry, McDonald's announced a policy to eliminate cages for hens from its North American supplier farms.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/watershed-moment-mcdonalds-eggs-cage-free/story?id=33632701|title='Watershed Moment': McDonald's Eggs to Go Cage-Free|date=2015-09-18|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} Nearly the entire Canadian food industry followed suit.{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3336403/humane-societies-hail-new-egg-industry-code-of-phasing-out-cramped-hen-cages/|title=Humane societies hail new egg-industry code of phasing out cramped hen cages|work=Global News|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}}

In the U.S., MFA conducted investigations inside turkey factory farms supplying Butterball. Media outlets CNN,{{Cite web|url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-884043|title=CNN - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|website=CNN|access-date=2018-10-20}} the Associated Press,{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/butterball-farm-worker-guilty-animal-cruelty/story?id=17098746|title=Butterball Worker Guilty of Cruelty|date=2012-08-28|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} NBC,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/butterball-probes-turkey-abuse-accusations-flna1C7103234|title=Butterball probes turkey abuse accusations|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} and USA Today reported on the investigations, which revealed workers violently stomping on turkeys, dragging them by their wings and necks, slamming them into transport crates, and leaving many to suffer from untreated injuries and infections. Prompted by hidden-camera footage, law enforcement in North Carolina conducted a two-day raid at one of the facilities. Five Butterball employees were arrested and charged with criminal cruelty to animals.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/butterball-workers-arrested-animal-cruelty-charges/story?id=15637180|title=Butterball Workers Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges|date=2012-08-28|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} The prosecutions led to the first-ever felony conviction for cruelty to factory-farmed poultry in U.S. history.{{Cite web|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/files/2012YIR.pdf?_ga=2.96521372.2083040013.1536318664-431076736.1521383083|title=Mercy For Animals}}

The following year, MFA investigated a dairy factory farm in Wisconsin that supplied Nestlé's DiGiorno Pizza brand. Undercover footage revealed cows beaten, stabbed, and dragged by tractors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/11/nestle-digiorno-pizza-dairy-farm-cow-abuse-videos|title=DiGiorno pizza cuts ties with Wisconsin dairy farm after cow abuse video|last=Milwaukee|first=Associated Press in|date=2013-12-11|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} After the video received widespread media attention, Nestlé, the largest food company in the world, met with MFA and implemented a far-reaching animal welfare policy.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-nestle-animal-welfare-pledge-cow-abuse-20140821-story.html|title=Nestle makes animal welfare pledge after dairy cow abuse|last=Hirst|first=Ellen Jean|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}}

Following progress with Nestlé, MFA targeted Leprino Foods,{{Cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2015/04/17/activists-laud-denver-based-leprino-for-new-animal-welfare-policy/|title=Activists laud Denver-based Leprino for new animal-welfare policy|date=2015-04-17|work=The Denver Post|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} Great Lakes Cheese,{{Cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/03/great_lakes_cheese_adopts_anim.html|title=Great Lakes Cheese adopts animal welfare policy after undercover video of dairy cow mistreatment|work=cleveland.com|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} and Saputo.{{Cite news|url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/saputo-refuses-to-buy-milk-from-farmers-that-mistreat-animals-1.2401498|title=Saputo refuses to buy milk from farmers that mistreat animals|last=Marowits|first=Ross|date=2015-06-01|work=British Columbia|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-CA}} After MFA investigations uncovered abuse in each of their supply chains, the companies released their own animal welfare policies.{{Cite news|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/progress-canadas-largest-dairy-processor|title=Progress! Saputo Adopts Global Animal Welfare Policy After MFA Investigation|work=Mercy For Animals|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}}

After six MFA investigations into Walmart's pork supply chain,{{Cite web|url=http://walmarttorturesanimals.com|title=VIDEO: Pigs Punched and Beaten for Walmart|website=WalmartTorturesAnimals.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} three years of campaigning, and pressure from Bob Barker, James Cromwell, Ryan Gosling,{{Cite news|url=https://vegnews.com/2012/8/celebrities-team-up-to-end-walmart-animal-abuse|title=Celebrities Team Up to End Walmart Animal Abuse|work=VegNews.com|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} and a slew of other celebrities, in May 2015 Walmart banned gestation crates, battery cages, and veal crates from its U.S. supply chains.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/23/business/walmart-pushes-for-improved-animal-welfare.html|title=Walmart Pushes for Improved Animal Welfare|newspaper=The New York Times |date=23 May 2015 |access-date=2018-10-20|language=en|last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie }} The retail giant also pledged to end mutilations without painkillers, such as tail docking, castration, and dehorning.

Following MFA's exposés and campaigns, top U.S. grocers Publix,{{Cite news|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/life/food/publix-to-sell-only-cage-free-eggs-by-2026/274548065|title=Publix to sell only cage-free eggs by 2026|work=10NEWS|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} Kroger,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thekrogerco.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Statement-Cage-Free-Eggs.pdf|title=Kroger Animal Welfare Policy}} Albertsons,{{Cite web|url=https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/albertsons-commits-to-sell-cage-free-chicken-eggs-by-2025/Content?oid=3728111|title=Albertsons Commits to Sell Cage-Free Chicken Eggs by 2025|last=Murri|first=Jessica|website=Boise Weekly|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} and SUPERVALU,{{Cite web|url=https://www.supervalu.com/responsibility/animal-welfare-policy.html|title=SUPERVALU INC. - Grocery Retail and Supply Chain Services - Animal Welfare Policy|website=www.supervalu.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} along with the Retail Council of Canada,{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2586899/canadian-grocers-move-to-cage-free-eggs-an-important-commitment/|title=Canadian grocers' move to cage-free eggs an 'important commitment'|work=Global News|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}} also pledged to ban intensive confinement of hens from their egg supply chains.

In early 2016, MFA launched The Good Food Institute.{{Cite news|url=https://vegnews.com/2016/3/mfa-launches-new-sister-organization|title=MFA Launches New Sister Organization|work=VegNews.com|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-US}} The organization's mission is to create "a healthy, humane, and sustainable food supply." The Good Food Institute provides strategic support to companies, promotes plant-based products, supports entrepreneurs, and educates grant-making institutions, corporations, and governmental bodies about plant-based and clean meat.{{Cite web|url=https://gfi.org|title=The Good Food Institute|website=The Good Food Institute|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

In June 2016, Perdue, one of the largest chicken producers in the world, announced a precedent-setting commitment to improving animal welfare after MFA investigated two contract farms in the U.S. supplying the company. The policy was to reduce suffering for nearly 680 million birds annually.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/06/28/this-could-be-the-start-to-a-whole-new-world-of-chicken/|title=This could be the start to a whole new world of chicken|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

In the same year, MFA also set up operations in Brazil, Mexico, India, and Asia. An MFA investigator recorded footage from inside nine government-run slaughterhouses in Mexico. Pigs were dragged by their limbs to the killing floor and stabbed repeatedly. A tied-up cow suffered blows from a sledgehammer. A cornered pig was stabbed in the side with a large knife.{{Cite web|url=http://mxslaughter.mercyforanimals.org/|title=Screen Actor Eugenio Derbez Calls on Mexican Senate to Take Action After New Video Exposes Horrific Animal Abuse|website=Tortured to Death|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} The investigation drew attention from major Mexican media outlets Reforma,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reforma.com/libre/players/mmplayer.aspx?idm=60090&te=100&ap=1|title=Exhiben crueldad en rastros|access-date=2018-10-20}} El Universal,{{Cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulo/espectaculos/2016/12/14/derbez-pide-al-gobierno-federal-leyes-estrictas-contra-la-crueldad|title=Derbez pide al gobierno federal leyes estrictas contra la crueldad animal|date=2016-12-14|work=El Universal|access-date=2018-10-20|language=es}} and Proceso.{{Cite news|url=https://www.proceso.com.mx/465373/difunden-nuevo-video-capta-abuso-contra-animales-en-mataderos-del-gobierno|title=Difunden nuevo video que capta abuso contra animales en mataderos del gobierno - Proceso|date=2016-12-06|work=Proceso|access-date=2018-10-20|language=es-MX}}

Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez narrated an MFA video about the cruelty. In an online petition, Eugenio wrote, "I watched the video in horror as animals were tied up, shocked for no reason, brutally and repeatedly bludgeoned with sledgehammers, and then stabbed in the back of the head."{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Back in the U.S., MFA was also part of a coalition of organizations that worked to pass the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act in Massachusetts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wbur.org/politicker/2016/11/08/question-three-animal-confinement-results|title=Mass. Voters Approve Question 3, Banning Certain Farm Animal Confinement Practices|website=www.wbur.org|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} The measure, passed in 2016, outlaws some of the cruelest farming practices and bans the sale of eggs, pork, and veal from animals raised in intensive confinement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/11/09/massachusetts-voters-say-no-to-tight-quarters-for-hens-pigs-and-calves/|title=Massachusetts voters say no to tight quarters for hens, pigs and calves|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

After the 2016 investigations, MFA worked with members of Mexico's congress to introduce federal legislation that would end the worst slaughter methods shown in the undercover video.{{Cite news|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/9-mexican-congress-members-move-to-change|title=BREAKING! Historic Law Proposed in Mexico Following Explosive MFA Investigations|work=Mercy For Animals|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}} The bill passed through two committees and the representative branch of Mexico's congress, with nearly unanimous support.{{Cite news|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/breaking-mexicos-historic-farmed-animal-protecti-2|title=BREAKING! Mexico's Historic Farmed Animal Protection Legislation Moves Forward|work=Mercy For Animals|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}} As of October 2018, the bill was waiting on a senate vote.{{Cite news|url=https://mercyforanimals.mx/ltima-hora-reforma-para-proteger-a-los-animales|title=¡ÚLTIMA HORA! Reforma para proteger a los animales de granja pasa en la Cámara|work=Mercy For Animals|access-date=2018-10-20|language=es}}

In 2016, the then Executive VP Nick Cooney was accused of harassment and bullying as part of #MeToo; he left the organization the following year. MFA publicized several actions in response to the accusations.[https://givingcompass.org/article/one-organization-is-making-changes-after-its-metoo-moment Giving Compass website, One Organization is Making Changes after its #MeToo Moment, article dated February 13, 2018]

MFA has conducted multiple exposés inside factory farms in Brazil.{{Cite news|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2018/07/jbs-suspende-contrato-com-fornecedora-nos-eua-apos-video-mostrar-maus-tratos-a-porcos.shtml|title=JBS suspende contrato com fornecedora nos EUA após vídeo mostrar maus-tratos a porcos|date=2018-07-18|work=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=2018-10-20|language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web|url=https://exame.abril.com.br/negocios/ong-denuncia-maus-tratos-em-fornecedor-da-jbs-nos-eua/|title=Fornecedor da JBS nos EUA é denunciado por maus tratos de porcos {{!}} EXAME|website=exame.abril.com.br|language=pt-BR|access-date=2018-10-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/mauroalbano/ong-filma-granjas-no-brasil-e-diz-que-tratamento-brutal-de?origin=shp|title=ONG filma granjas no Brasil e diz que tratamento "brutal" de frangos é regra na indústria|work=BuzzFeed|access-date=2018-10-20|language=pt}}

In 2018, MFA staff in Brazil helped secure a historic commitment from Carrefour, the largest supermarket in Brazil, to eliminating small cages for hens.{{Cite news|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2018/08/rede-anuncia-fim-dos-ovos-de-galinhas-confinadas-ate-2028.shtml|title=Carrefour anuncia fim dos ovos de galinhas confinadas até 2028|date=2018-08-20|work=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=2018-10-20|language=pt-BR}} After MFA campaigns or discussions with MFA, dozens of other major brands in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil,  including Burger King,{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2017/03/29/burger-king-promises-to-clean-up-its-chicken-act/|title=Burger King promises to clean up its chicken act|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}} General Mills,{{Cite news |date=24 November 2015 |title=General Mills to use only cage-free eggs in U.S. by 2025 |language=en-US |work=U.S. |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-general-mills-eggs/general-mills-to-use-only-cage-free-eggs-in-u-s-by-2025-idUSKBN0TD2B020151124 |access-date=2018-10-20}} Jack in the Box,{{Cite web|url=https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2017/qdoba-jack-box-boost-animal-welfare-standards/18446|title=Qdoba, Jack in the Box Boost Animal Welfare Standards|website=www.triplepundit.com}} Pollo Pepe, Les Croissants, Loz Car, Grupo Alimentos Vitales de México, Habib's, and Grupo Halipar (Brazil) pledged to change how they treat animals.{{Cite web|url=https://mercyforanimals.org/corporate-engagement|title=Corporate Engagement|website=Mercy For Animals|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

In recent years, MFA has also pioneered investigations of factory farms and slaughterhouses using unmanned aerial vehicles. MFA drones have exposed 35 factory farms, and views of the investigative videos have surpassed 22 million.{{Cite web|url=http://mercyforanimals.org/drones|title=Mercy For Animals' Drone Investigations|website=Mercy For Animals|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}

A 2018 undercover investigation into California's driftnet fishing industry showed dolphins entangled and drowned in driftnets, endangered species killed, and sharks cut apart and stabbed while still alive and conscious.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/04/12/grisly-new-undercover-footage-shows-the-toll-of-death-nets-activists-say/|title=Grisly new undercover footage shows the toll of 'death nets,' activists say|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-10-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Deadly-catch-New-video-of-animals-killed-in-12813390.php|title=Deadly catch: New video of animals killed in drift nets off Southern California |date=2018-04-07 |work=SFChronicle.com |access-date=2018-10-20}} Undercover footage influenced federal legislation aimed at banning driftnets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/how-graphic-undercover-footage-could-end-deadly-driftnet-industry-910006|title=How graphic undercover footage could end the deadly driftnet industry|date=2018-05-03|work=Newsweek|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}}

A 2020 investigation focusing on the live export industry in Brazil revealed animals being confined in large ships in cramped conditions for weeks on end, often lying in and covered in their own feces. After arriving at their destination in the Middle East, cranes are used to hoist sick and injured animals out by their limbs. At the slaughterhouses, they are often slashed with knives and left to bleed to death, limbs are hacked off and throats stabbed.{{cite web |title=Export Misery |url=https://exportmisery.com/ |access-date=June 6, 2020 |publisher=Mercy for Animals}}

In 2023, the organization was given a B+ rating for financial management.[https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-articles/charitywatch-mercy-for-animals-charity-rating Charity Watch website, Mercy for Animals Charity Rating]

MFA celebrated their 25th anniversary with a gala held on April 20, 2024.[https://connectforanimals.com/event/1708643289091x976181185391099900 Connect for Animals website, Mercy for Animals 25th anniversary gala][https://mfagala.com MFA Gala website] They gave several awards out on the night, including one to Beyond Meat and one to Gwenna Hunter, who opened the first vegan foodbank in Los Angeles.[https://mfagala.com/award-winners/ MFA Gala website, Award Winners, retrieved November 29, 2024][https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/humankind/2023/08/29/vegans-of-la-food-bank-founder-gwenna-hunter-shares-story/70670533007/ USA Today website, "No one should ever be hungry" : Founder of LA's first vegan food bank shares 'why' behind project, article by Amaris Encinas, dated August 29, 2023]

In August 2024, the organization helped to secure a commitment on shrimp welfare from UK supermarket chain Tesco.[https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/08/17/2931776/0/en/Mercy-for-Animals-Secures-Landmark-Commitment-for-Shrimp-Welfare-From-Tesco.html Globe Newswire website, Mercy for Animals Secures Landmark Commitment for Shrimp Welfare from Tesco, article dated August 17, 2024]

In 2019, Leah Garcés founded Transfarmation to support farmers to transition from concentrated animal feeding operations to plant-focused farms.{{Cite web |last=Victoria Bouloubasis |date=2024-05-28 |title=Transfarmation: From factory farm to sustainable enterprise |url=https://roadsandkingdoms.com/2024/transfarmation-from-factory-farm-to-sustainable-enterprise/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Roads & Kingdoms |language=en-US}} In August 2024, a hog farming family from Iowa transitioning to mushroom farming was featured in the NYT.{{Cite news |last=Buckley |first=Cara |date=2024-08-14 |title=Meet a Family That’s Betting the Farm on a Wild Idea. Literally. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/climate/hog-farm-iowa-rewild.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing%253A-europe-edition&emc=edit_mbe_20240816 |access-date=2024-08-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In 2024, Garcés published a book on Transfarmation, entitled Transfarmation: the Movement to Free Us from Factory Farming.[https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757628/transfarmation-by-leah-garces/ Penguin Random House website, Transformation by Leah Garcés] This was a sequel to her 2019 book, Grilled.[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263267-grilled GoodReads website, Grilled]

• List of animal rights groups

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{YouTube|handle=mercyforanimals|Mercy for Animals}}

{{Animal rights|state=uncollapsed|movement}}

{{Effective altruism}}

Category:Animal rights organizations

Category:Animal welfare organizations based in Canada

Category:Animal welfare organizations based in the United States

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago

Category:Organizations established in 1999

Category:Organizations associated with effective altruism