Open Wing Alliance: What We Accomplished in 2019

In 2019, we saw a streak of victories for egg-laying hens and broiler chickens all around the world thanks to the progress blazed by the Open Wing Alliance (OWA). With activist groups spanning across 64 countries and 6 continents, this global coalition is proving that the shift away from cages and toward improved welfare is a global trend.

In order to work toward this monumental objective, OWA groups successfully achieved cage-free commitments from some of the largest companies in the world, including global hotel giants like Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Best Western, and Radisson Hotel Group. In total, the OWA was able to secure over 70 corporate policies, ensuring these companies go cage-free across their entire global portfolio. Additionally, OWA groups collectively secured over 340 total cage-free or broiler welfare policies around the world.

To accomplish these enormous wins, the OWA saw significant growth over the last year. In March of 2019, we distributed $820,500 in grants to 24 organizations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America. In-person trainings for 14 member groups were provided around the world, from Romania, to the Netherlands, to Peru, and beyond. We also recruited 21 new member groups this year in key areas, including Ecuador, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, and Russia.

The OWA also hosted several global and regional Summits, including:

• The first Latin American Summit to End Cages in Brazil, which convened 27 people from 11 groups to set a regional strategy.
• The third annual Global Summit to End Cages in Warsaw, Poland, where 140 activists from 46 groups received training as they launched and won two global cage-free campaigns against Best Western and Hilton Hotels.
• The second annual Africa Regional Summit in Cape Town, South Africa convened 25 attendees from 12 organizations.
• The third annual Regional Summit for Mexico, where The Humane League Mexico hosted 18 activists from four organizations in Mexico City.
• The second Latin America Summit, where 41 attendees from 12 organizations and eight different Latin American countries met in São Paulo, Brazil.
• The first-ever Asia Summit in Taiwan, convening 42 attendees from 15 groups across 11 countries.

The OWA may be small, but our power is mighty and growing. We believe every single egg-laying hen and broiler chicken around the world should be able to spread their wings beyond the confinement of a cage—and we won’t stop until every chicken can be free from this tortured life. Needless to say, this is a big goal, and we could certainly use your help. Consider making a gift to the Open Wing Alliance to make our shared mission a full reality—to end the abuse of chickens worldwide—ensuring that every chicken walks freely beyond the cruel confinement of cage bars.

All around the world, the OWA is winning victories for egg-laying hens and broiler chickens, making progress toward a cage-free future. Here’s to a new year of unrelenting action for chickens and all animals raised for food. Please join us today to increase your impact.