A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
We are currently accepting feature pitches. Learn more →
Prawns have their eye stalks cut off whilst still alive to speed up breeding process, animal welfare groups warn as leading retailers reevaluate common seafood industry practises
Despite around 440 billion shrimps being farmed each year, the species has typically faced little-to-no animal welfare protection.
France will no longer ban “meaty” labels on plant-based foods
The country’s top court has ruled against government attempts to outlaw food companies from using terms like “steak” and “burger” on plant-based meat.
Paying extra for plant milks could be a thing of the past as Tim Hortons, Dutch Bros Coffee and Scooter's Coffee end surcharge following Starbucks' lead
As the popularity of oat, almond, and soy milk continues to soar, coffee chains across the US are making it free for customers to swap cow’s milk for plant milks.
The number of US dairy farms infected with bird flu has been underestimated, suggests new study from the CDC
Government testing reveals that livestock veterinarians have tested positive for the H5N1 virus despite working on farms that had no reported cases in cattle.
The future of food is now: world’s first cultivated pet food goes on sale
The UK’s largest retailer of pet supplies is now selling Meatly’s new ‘Chick Bites’, which have been cultivated from cells taken from a single chicken egg.
Vegan restaurant becomes first in UK to receive prestigious Michelin star
The award shows how plant-based food is continuing to become increasingly popular in the fine dining industry.
Over 200,000 ducks to be killed after bird flu outbreaks discovered at farms in New York and California
Bird flu is continuing to devastate populations of farmed animals in the US, as a new variant discovered this week raises further concern among scientists.
US to ban seafood imports tied to deadly bycatch of whales, dolphins, and other marine animals
Over half a million marine animals are caught and killed in fishing gear every year as unintentional “bycatch”.
Ten percent of people in Great Britain no longer eat meat, study finds
The data suggests a wider shift towards more plant-forward eating habits, as millions in the country now consider themselves vegan or follow a diet that reduces or eliminates meat.
“Very concerning”: Microplastics widespread in US seafood, new research suggests
Scientists report that microplastic contaminants were present in commonly eaten fish and crustaceans captured in the West Coast.
Starbucks and Chipotle among companies still using infamous “frankenchickens”
Major companies are sourcing meat from chickens who have been selectively bred to grow so rapidly that the animals can struggle to walk or even stand up.
Swapping meat & dairy with plant-based foods can reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women by 92%, study finds
In the research participants who swapped to a plant-based diet reported weight loss and a reduction in severe hot flashes.
“I don’t want to kill these animals anymore”: owner of dog meat restaurant in Vietnam closes his business after 20 years in food industry
The restaurant slaughtered thousands of dogs and chickens, but now its owner has joined a campaign to end the dog meat trade.
Denmark to launch world’s first carbon tax on agriculture
Under the plans, which were announced earlier this year but confirmed this week, livestock farms will be charged per tonne of methane emitted.
US dietary guidelines set to prioritize plant protein over meat protein
The proposed guidelines, used by federal nutrition programs and health professionals, will emphasize that protein can come from different sources, and recommend plant-based proteins over animal-based proteins.
Starbucks removes extra charge for non-dairy milk in US and Canada
The world’s largest coffee chain has announced it will no longer make customers pay a surcharge for plant-based milks like oat, soy, and almond.
HappyCow celebrates its 25th anniversary: how the app continues to change the world for animals
With over 4 million downloads, HappyCow remains an essential app for anyone wanting to help animals and create positive change.
US detects H5N1 bird flu in a pig for the first time
Scientists are alarmed by the virus spreading to pigs, warning that this development brings it one species closer to a major human outbreak.
Appeals court rules in favor of monkey breeding facility - but local residents say the fight continues
A recent court ruling sided with the company planning to build a controversial monkey breeding facility in the small town of Bainbridge, but opponents remain resolute, vowing, "this is far from over."
Heartbreaking new footage shows beagle puppy being trained to inhale toxins
The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.