#United States #Minneapolis #Target #animal welfare #Humane World

Humane World for Animals Delivers Critical Petition to Target

On July 29, 2025, the grassroots organization Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, made headlines as they presented over 195,000 signed petitions directly to Target's headquarters in Minneapolis. This action underscores a growing demand from consumers for corporate accountability regarding animal welfare.

Target, a major retailer that serves millions, made significant commitments over ten years ago, pledging to stop sourcing pork from farms that confine pigs in gestation crates—tiny spaces that prevent movement—and to exclusively sell cage-free eggs by 2025. Sadly, the organization claims that Target has yet to fulfill these promises, leaving many animals in distress.

During the petition delivery event, advocates not only brought the petitions in large boxes but also created a striking visual representation of the plight faced by farm animals. Life-sized replicas of battery cages filled with imitation chickens highlighted the atrocious conditions that hens endure in factory farms. This public demonstration attracted attention as supporters engaged and expressed a shared desire for change, advocating for humane treatment of animals.

Kent Stein, a corporate policy specialist at Humane World for Animals, addressed the crowd, stating, "Today, we delivered a crucial message to Target backed by over 195,000 consumers: the extreme confinement of farm animals is not just cruel; it is entirely unnecessary. We urge Target to engage with its customers and act upon its long-standing commitments to eliminate animal suffering in its supply chain. Other major corporations have successfully made similar transitions, and we know Target can, too."

As conditions on factory farms often leave animals in miserable states—like the cramped living areas of hens or the psychological and physical trauma endured by pigs in gestation crates—advocates at the event emphasized the urgent need for reform. Aaron Zellhoefer, the Minnesota state director for Humane World for Animals, expressed frustration over the delay, pointing out that several states have already enacted bans on these forms of extreme confinement, and the time for immediate action is overdue.

Target isn't alone in facing scrutiny. Many prominent companies, including General Mills, McDonald's, Amazon, and Nestlé, have successfully adopted animal welfare policies, pushing the industry toward more humane practices. As the public continues to support these efforts, it becomes increasingly clear that profit should not come at the expense of ethical treatment of animals.

The campaign against animal cruelty is gaining momentum. To learn how to get involved or to voice your opinion, visit TargetCruelty.com. Humane World for Animals stands at the forefront of the fight against animal cruelty, with ongoing efforts in over 50 countries aimed at eradicating practices that cause unnecessary suffering.

Indeed, action is critical. With a collective call for compassion, there is hope that change will come not only for the animals suffering within Target’s supply chain but ultimately for a more humane world for all animals.