Choose Cage-Free campaign takes off at York University
500+ York students and staff have signed petitions for cage-free eggs
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A Choose Cage-Free campaign recently began at York University in Toronto, led by students and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). In just over five hours, more than 500 members of the York community expressed unequivocal support for cage-free eggs by signing petitions.
WSPA’s Choose Cage-Free campaign encourages schools to serve eggs from cage-free hens as opposed to conventional eggs, which are produced in battery cages. Krisna Saravanamuttu, President of the York Federation of Students, stated, “It is important to ensure that animals are treated humanely and with respect.”
Joyce Zhu, who is obtaining an International Bachelors of Business degree, is actively involved with WSPA. The fourth-year York student previously organized a fashion show to raise funds for WSPA’s vital work across the globe and supports the Choose Cage-Free campaign whole-heartedly. “Tiny cages are bad and completely unnecessary,” she noted.
Multiple students gave generously of their time to garner support for this campaign for compassion. Nikki Satira persuasively and single-handedly collected a whopping 120 signatures because she recognizes that “animals have intrinsic worth.”
Natalie Peragine, a second-year Environmental Studies student, spent most of her day asking people to sign petitions. Chana Steinberg, who is obtaining a double-major in biology and psychology, is excited to educate students on cage-free eggs, expressing, “It is awful that most people don’t even know what happens to their food.” These committed leaders plan to continue generating support at York for cage-free eggs.
Students also conveyed that they would like food at York more if the school switched to a cage-free egg supplier. Screenwriting student Zachary Alexander Vito stated, “I love going to York. I would feel even better about eating choices here if I knew where our food was coming from.” Kelly-Ann Moschopoulos, Co-President of the Rotaract Club, concurred.
Students want York to switch to cage-free eggs not only because it’s better for animal welfare but also because of the environment and health advantages these eggs enjoy over battery cage eggs. Tenzin Phurpatsang stated, “No room to move means more diseases. Animals who are less stressed will produce healthier eggs.”
Roman Yufa, President of Students for the Protection of Animals, also realizes that cage-free eggs are a clear win-win, being “beneficial for everyone – animals, health, and the environment. We should have done this a long time ago because it is a small price increase that makes a big difference.”
Students are eager for York to switch to cage-free eggs soon, expressing that such a decision would make them “extremely happy.” Several individuals believe the chances of York serving cage-free eggs are excellent because of the high level of social concern and compassion in the open-minded York community. Biology student Nada Bishir asked, “Who wouldn’t want to support this? This is the least that we can do, especially seeing that many other schools have switched."
Judging by the enormous interest shown for humane purchasing at York, WSPA is optimistic that the Choose Cage-Free campaign will be successful.
