Victory! Grassroots Campaign Convinces Costco to Stop Caging Hens for Eggs

"Costco is committed to going cage‐free for its egg procurement," the company's website states. "We are working with our suppliers toward a complete and sustainable transition to a cage‐free supply chain."

This update is big news for the hens who suffer in battery cages—not only because it will impact millions of hens each year but because it sends a clear message to the retail industry: caging hens is unacceptable.

Advocating for an end to cages

The Humane League was deeply involved in the coalition effort to see Costco produce this commitment. Utilizing our grassroots network and our campaigns team's finely honed tactics, we were able to create a growing national boycott of Costco.

We worked with local activists like Seattle resident Quilla Park. Park gathered over 100,000 signatures on an online petition and made sure Costco knew it—she delivered them right to the doorstep of its headquarters. Following the delivery, she held a protest with over 30 dedicated activists outside a local store.

The Humane League also organized throughout our 11 office cities to gather the voices of animal-loving students. Nearly 300 students posted testimonials online about how they would never shop at Costco unless the company committed to stop caging hens.

Our dedicated grassroots network also submitted more than 50 letters to the editors of their local papers, leafleted outside Costco stores, and called local Costco managers to voice their opposition to the company's animal abuse.

Our campaign to see Costco commit to ending cages in its supply chain took many forms, and none of our efforts would have been successful without passionate involvement of our supporters. In the past year, animal advocates' tireless campaigning led to monumental changes in the restaurant industry, and with Costco's recent announcement, we expect to see similar progress in the retail industry in 2016. The writing is on the wall: cages have got to go.