What We Do

Surrounded by barren wire and up to nine other birds, caged laying hens can barely move, let alone nest, perch, dustbathe, or do anything else essential to their basic welfare. For nearly their entire lives, each standing on space about the size of an iPad, these animals, who are much like primates and other mammals in sensitivity and intelligence, suffer severe chronic distress. Working with food companies worldwide, we secure time-bound commitments to sourcing only cage-free eggs and ensure these commitments are met, following up with the companies, publishing their progress in scorecards and other ranking reports, and launching public-pressure campaigns when necessary.

Mother pigs in factory farms are forced to endure extreme confinement in gestation and farrowing crates, denied the freedom to turn around, lie down comfortably, or express natural behaviours. Mercy For Animals India is driving a nationwide effort to end this cruelty by working closely with state authorities, animal welfare boards, and policymakers. As a result of these ongoing efforts, 20 states—Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Telangana, Manipur, Mizoram, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sikkim, West Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, and Punjab—have issued directives prohibiting the use of these inhumane crates. Each victory brings us closer to our goal of securing a countrywide ban to ensure that no pig in India suffers in such cruel confinement.

To make plant-based foods more accessible, we partner with a variety of food companies, including restaurants and fast-food chains, to secure more plant-based entrees on menus. We also motivate coffee chains to offer drinks made with plant-based milk by default and persuade other companies to swap animal-derived ingredients for plant-based ones. To foster these collaborations, we spotlight the benefits of diverse plant-based menu items through industry events and media outlets. We emphasise both the culinary potential and consumer demand for plant-based dishes. Through workshops, marketing support, and other resources we guide companies in creating appealing, innovative plant-forward menus that cater to a growing audience of conscious eaters.

We work on local policies that require or encourage government-run establishments that serve food, such as schools, hospitals, prisons, and government agencies, to prioritise plant-based options in their food purchasing. Emphasising the policies’ role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving animal welfare, we collaborate with lawmakers to implement these policies. As more institutions commit to plant-based purchasing, these efforts will help normalise plant-based eating and decrease overall demand for animal products.