Dear John,

More than nine billion chickens are raised and killed for meat each year in the United States. These sensitive birds suffer horribly at factory farms.

Years ago, many major food companies promised to eliminate some of the worst cruelty to chickens in their supply chains by 2024. But some have failed to be transparent about their progress toward this goal. Animals and the public can no longer wait for change.

That is why Mercy For Animals just published its second annual Count Your Chickens Report. It reveals which companies are being transparent and which are breaking their chicken welfare promises. While a growing number of companies have received passing grades, others have failed miserably.

Consumers deserve to know whether restaurants, retailers, and others in the food industry are keeping their promises to animals. The clock is ticking, and the time for transparency is now.

Chickens raised for meat spend their short lives in dim, overcrowded sheds. They are forced to sit on waste-soaked litter and unable to engage in many important natural behaviors.

You can help. Read the report, and take action to hold companies accountable.