(PRESS RELEASE) ROCKLIN, CA — All-natural dog treat manufacturer Campfire Treats pledges to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) alongside other forward-thinking food companies to drastically improve the lives of chickens farmed for food. This commitment makes Campfire Treats one of the first pet treat companies to join the BCC.
“Animal welfare has always been close to our hearts, so joining the Better Chicken Commitment is a natural step to build our business in line with our beliefs,” says Campfire Treats’ President and Co-founder Marko Wittich.
Dog owners are increasingly concerned about what goes into dog food and treats, where it comes from and how it was produced. Approximately 9 billion chickens are raised for food every year in the United States, making it the most popular meat for humans and dogs alike. The health and welfare issues resulting from crowded conditions on factory farms are well-documented. In 2016, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other leading animal welfare organizations agreed on a set of standards for chicken welfare called the Better Chicken Commitment.
“From day one we’ve only used human-grade chicken sourced from American farms. This already sets us apart in an industry using mostly inferior feed-grade ingredients, often imported from overseas. But human-grade U.S. chicken wasn’t enough for us. We want to publicly commit to the humane treatment of every chicken raised for use in Campfire Treats. By joining the Better Chicken Commitment we’re helping to end factory farming and build a more humane, sustainable and fair food system,” says Wittich.
“All animals deserve compassion. In making this animal welfare commitment, Campfire Treats is raising the bar for pet food companies to address how farm animals are treated,” said Julia Anne Johnson, manager of corporate policy, ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare. “With over 200 companies already committed to the Better Chicken Commitment, Campfire Treats has joined the movement to improve the lives of billions of birds.”
The BCC addresses the top concerns around the welfare of chickens raised for meat. Companies who sign onto the Better Chicken Commitment agree by 2024 to source only healthier breeds of chicken housed in higher-welfare environments, which are certified by Global Animal Partnership (GAP). For example, chickens must be given more space, better lighting, cleaner flooring and be processed without practices like live-shackling.
But Campfire Treats doesn’t plan on stopping there. The company is dedicated to raising their own supplier standards, working with farm partners to improve humane handling practices and living conditions of the animals they raise. Not just for chickens, but for all animals used in Campfire Treats’ all-natural dog treats and chews.