WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, November 18, 2016 — Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday – one that celebrates American traditions, family togetherness and gratitude for the unparalleled bounty of our great nation. As families across the country prepare for their Thanksgiving feasts, American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, is calling on the American public to set a humane table for the holidays and support humane farming practices.
“More people are concerned about how their food is raised than ever before and want to make choices that are in line with their values,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, which was founded in 1877 around the issue of farm animal welfare and has since become the largest certifier of the humane treatment of animals in the world. “This Thanksgiving, during the holidays, and all year round, we urge all Americans to help make a better world by choosing foods that have been humanely raised under ethical, commonsense, and scientifically demonstrated standards.”
Research by American Humane shows more than nine in ten (94.9%) Americans said they were “very concerned” about farm animal welfare. More than three-quarters (75.7%) stated that they were very willing to pay more for humanely raised eggs, meat, and dairy products.
Look for trusted humane labels
The survey also found in a ranking of the importance of food labels that “humanely raised” scored highest over other labels including “antibiotic-free,” “organic,” and “natural.”
American Humane’s farm animal welfare certification standards were built upon the internationally accepted values of the Five Freedoms (freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, disease; freedom to express normal behavior; freedom from fear and distress), as well as input from animal science experts, veterinarians, ethicists, animal husbandry specialists, and animal advocates. These evidence-based standards are reviewed regularly by a Scientific Advisory Committee made up of some of the world’s leading experts and animal advocates. Today the American Humane Certified™ program is the nation’s largest and fastest-growing third-party farm animal welfare audit program, certifying the humane treatment of animals on more than 8,000 farms and ranches. For a list of humanely raised products click here.
“Some 10 billion animals are raised in U.S. agriculture each year,” said Dr. Ganzert. “By looking for trusted humane labels such as American Humane Certified™, you can set a humane table for the holidays and all year round, giving thanks to and helping ensure a better life for the nation’s farm animals.”
About American Humane
Founded in 1877, American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. For more information about American Humane or the American Humane Certified™ program, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.
