WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association, the nation's 135-year-old voice for children and animals today commended McDonald's proactive position to require their pork supply chain to be gestation crate-free.

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"Millions of pigs spend their lives in crates that are inhumanely small and do not allow them to move freely and express their natural behaviors," said American Humane Association President & CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. "This leadership on the part of McDonald's will not only advance the welfare of millions of animals but will most likely encourage others food service providers and retailers to follow suit."

"We're very pleased that this requirement of McDonald's pork suppliers meets our standards for the humane treatment of sows," said Kathi Brock, senior director of the American Humane Association Farm Animal Program, the nation's first and largest third-party auditing and certification program for the humane treatment of America's farm animals. "It's the right thing to do and it meets consumers' expectations."

American Humane Association noted that the adoption of loose housing systems for sows requires not only new equipment but also training of workers and managers to handle animals humanely.

"We encourage McDonald's and the pork industry to keep advancing the welfare of the nation's farm animals and incorporate third-party welfare standards and humane training," Brock said.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877 American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association

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