Mercy for Animals

Mercy for Animals billboard, Las Vegas, NV, 2010

Mercy For Animals (MFA) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting animal welfare. Founded in 1999, the organization is dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting compassionate food choices and policies.

History

Mercy For Animals was established in Ohio, United States, by Milo Runkle following an incident in his high school involving the abuse of a piglet during a school project. This event motivated Runkle to create an organization dedicated to the protection of farmed animals. Over the years, MFA has grown into a leading international force in the animal welfare movement, conducting undercover investigations, legal advocacy, corporate outreach, and public education campaigns.

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of Mercy For Animals is to end the exploitation of animals for food. To achieve this, MFA focuses on exposing cruelty within the agriculture industry, promoting veganism, and working towards the adoption of animal welfare policies.

Undercover Investigations

One of the key strategies employed by MFA is conducting undercover investigations in factory farms, slaughterhouses, and egg farms. These investigations often reveal shocking abuses and have led to legal actions, corporate policy changes, and increased public awareness about the realities of animal agriculture.

Legal Advocacy

MFA engages in legal advocacy to improve the welfare standards of farmed animals. This includes pushing for stronger animal protection laws and ensuring the enforcement of existing regulations.

Corporate Outreach

Through its corporate outreach program, MFA works with companies to adopt better animal welfare policies. This includes encouraging the adoption of cage-free egg policies, the elimination of gestation crates for pigs, and other reforms that improve the lives of farmed animals.

Public Education

MFA also focuses on educating the public about animal cruelty and promoting plant-based diets. The organization produces a range of educational materials, including documentaries, reports, and social media content, to inspire individuals to make compassionate food choices.

Impact

Mercy For Animals has been instrumental in bringing about significant changes in the animal agriculture industry. Its investigations have led to criminal charges against animal abusers, policy changes by major food companies, and increased public support for animal welfare legislation.

Criticism and Controversy

Like many animal rights organizations, MFA has faced criticism from the agriculture industry and some political groups. Critics argue that the organization's campaigns against animal agriculture threaten jobs and the economy. However, MFA maintains that its work is necessary to expose and end animal cruelty and to promote a more humane and sustainable food system.

See Also

• Animal rights
• Veganism
• Factory farming
• Animal welfare

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