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Gap, Inc. Joins Leading California Companies in Hatching Cage-Free Egg Policy

August 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RPRN) 8/19/2009--Gap, Inc. has joined the list of leading California companies—like Google, Yahoo! and Bon Appétit Management Company—in switching to cage-free eggs for its corporate cafeterias.

The decision came after the San Francisco-based company learned that factory farms confine most egg-laying hens in the U.S. in tiny battery cages where each hen has less space than a standard sheet of paper on which to live for more than a year before she's slaughtered.

"The Humane Society of the United States applauds Gap for joining the national movement away from cruel battery cages," said Paul Shapiro, senior director of The HSUS' factory farming campaign. "It's hard to imagine a more miserable existence for a bird than being crammed in a cage so small, she can't even spread her wings."

In a landslide vote last November, nearly 64% of California voters passed the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, thereby criminalizing confinement of hens in battery cages statewide (with a phase-out). National chains Burger King, Wendy's, Quiznos, Denny's and Carpinteria, Calif.-based Carl's Jr. have also started using cage-free eggs.

Facts

• U.S. factory farms confine about 280 million hens in barren battery cages so small, they can't even spread their wings. Scientific research confirms this causes suffering.


• Cage-free hens generally have two to three times more space per bird than caged hens. Cage-free hens may not be able to go outside and may have parts of their beaks cut off, but they can walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens crammed into battery cages.


• Gap Inc., the parent company of Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta, has a policy against the use of animal fur. Gap Inc. joins more than 150 companies on The HSUS' fur-free shopping guide.

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About HSUS

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at humanesociety.org.

Contact: Erin Williams, (301) 721-6446

Source: The Humane Society of the United States

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