Target’s Breaking Promises on Animal Welfare

Over a decade ago, Target announced plans to transition to cage-free eggs and eliminate gestation crates for pregnant pigs in its supply chain, yet the company has failed to deliver on both promises. Despite setting 2025 as the new deadline for sourcing cage-free eggs, Target is still lagging while many other companies, like McDonald’s, Costco, and Burger King, have made good on their commitments—some even ahead of schedule.

McDonald’s, for example, purchased 2 billion cage-free eggs for its U.S. market in 2023, reaching its goal early. Meanwhile, Target continues to claim it faces challenges in fulfilling its cage-free pledge. On the issue of gestation crates, which confine pregnant pigs to small, restrictive cages, Target has also missed the mark. These cages cause severe distress to animals, often leading to muscle deterioration and harmful behaviors like gnawing at cage bars.

Public sentiment strongly favors better conditions for farm animals. Eleven states have already banned the use of battery cages for egg-laying hens, and polls show that 82% of Target’s own customers believe chickens should be housed in open barns. Additionally, 72% of Target shoppers said they would view the company more positively if it followed through on its commitment to animal welfare.

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