You wouldn’t think that a group with “Humane” in its name would endorse the confinement of laying hens in cages on factory farms. But that’s exactly what American Humane is doing.

American Humane—a Colorado-based organization that does not operate pet adoption shelters and provides far less direct care for animals than other national animal welfare groups—seems to be a better friend to the animal agribusiness industry than to animals themselves. The latest example of AH's cozy relationship with factory farms came in June 2010, when AH issued a press release endorsing cage confinement of egg-laying hens, specifically so-called furnished battery cages, calling them "humane."

This despite opposition to furnished battery cage confinement by virtually every major animal welfare organization in the United States and European Union. Groups opposed to furnished battery cage confinement of hens include the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSCPA), the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the Humane Farming Association (HFA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Farm Sanctuary, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Eurogroup for Animal Welfare (made up of 40 animal protection organizations), and more.

The scientific evidence that furnished battery cages are detrimental to animal welfare is reviewed in reports by the Humane Society of the United States and Compassion in World Farming.

And this isn’t the first time that American Humane has demonstrated its fidelity to those who abuse animals.To learn more and what you can do, go to www.AmericanInhumane.org – and please forward the link to other animal advocates.

Joshua Tetrick is a Michigan Law graduate and provides nationwide educational instruction about creating profitable business models that incorporate considerations regarding sustainability, child welfare, poverty and animal protection.


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