All Creatures Great and Small

The Humane Society of the United States is announcing its 2008 “All Creatures Great and Small” campaign, which involves a pledge to either switch to cage-free eggs or egg substitutes for the month of October. Nearly 280 million laying hens in the United States are confined in barren, wire cages so small the birds can’t even spread their wings, and consumers can reduce animal suffering by making a few simple changes in their purchasing.

"All Creatures Great and Small, a campaign of Animals & Religion, aims to raise awareness about our responsibilities to all animals, including those raised for food. In recent decades, agriculture has taken a harsh turn and animals on factory farms are treated like mere objects. Eating is an activity that has moral and spiritual significance."

The HSUS is joining with religious leaders to ask people of faith to pledge for one month to either switch to cage-free eggs or egg substitutes as a way to end the cruelest confinement systems employed by the egg industry.

Why is This a Faith Issue?

"The connection between food and faith is built into many of our religious traditions. From fasting to feasting, Kosher to Halal, there are numerous examples of people selecting food based on their faith and applying their principles to the raising and slaughtering of animals. The Eucharist, a Christian sacrament deeply rooted in eating and drinking and having a meal, is also an example of the relationship between food and faith."

The 74th General Convention approved a resolution which "encourages its members to ensure that husbandry methods for captive and domestic animals would prohibit suffering in such conditions as puppy mills, and factory farms… [and committed to] educating its members to adhere to ethical standards in the care and treatment of animals [and]… advocating for legislation protecting animals…" (Episcopal General Convention 2003 – D016. Support Ethical Care of Animals)

Find out more and sign the pledge here.

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