Top Canadian animal groups call on A&W to go cage-free

VANCOUVER, Feb. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Six leading Canadian animal protection agencies today called on A&W Food Services of Canada to stop using eggs from caged-hens. A joint letter – signed by Animal Justice, the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals, Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Farmed Animals, Humane Society International/Canada, Mercy for Animals Canada and the Vancouver Humane Society - urges the fast-food chain to join the growing number of food companies switching to cage-free eggs.

Despite announcements by other restaurant chains, including Tim Hortons and McDonald's Canada, that they will go cage-free, A&W has committed to using "enriched cages" for laying hens, which are only slightly larger than the notoriously cruel battery cages that have been widely condemned.

The joint letter, addressed to A&W CEO Paul Hollands, states: "Enriched cages severely restrict important physical activities  including running, flying and wing-flapping and do not permit unrestrained perching and dustbathing."  The letter says consumers have turned against eggs from caged hens and that, "To them and to the wider public, a cage is a cage."

An online petition calling on A&W to go cage-free has gathered more than 6000 signatures.

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society

Debra Probert, Vancouver Humane Society: 604 266 9744 Cell: 778 994 9744; Peter Fricker, Vancouver Humane Society: 604 266 9744 Cell: 604 603 5401; Anna Pippus, Animal Justice: 604 338 0806; Olivia Berreville, Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Farmed Animals: Cell: 204 891 8136