Mercy For Animals (MFA) is a non-profit organization that aims to reduce and eventually end the cruel and unsustainable practice of factory farming. The organization was founded in 1999 by Milo Runkle, who was moved by the suffering of farmed animals and wanted to take action to improve their welfare.

Factory farming is a system of animal agriculture that prioritizes profit over the well-being of animals. In these facilities, animals are treated as commodities and confined to small, often crowded spaces with little to no access to natural light or fresh air. They are often subjected to painful procedures like tail docking and castration without anesthesia and are given antibiotics and growth hormones to speed up their growth and prevent the spread of disease in crowded conditions.


MFA’s mission is to create a kinder and more compassionate world for farmed animals. The organization focuses on a range of strategies to achieve this goal, including undercover investigations, corporate outreach, public awareness campaigns, and legislative advocacy.

One of MFA’s most effective strategies is conducting undercover investigations of factory farms and slaughterhouses. These investigations provide a rare glimpse into the daily lives of farmed animals and reveal the systematic abuse and neglect that occurs in these facilities. MFA has conducted numerous investigations over the years, exposing widespread animal abuse in the pork, dairy, egg, and poultry industries.

The organization’s investigations have led to significant changes in the industry. MFA’s investigations of Walmart’s pork suppliers, for example, led the retail giant to adopt more humane animal welfare standards and encourage its suppliers to do the same. Similarly, MFA’s investigations of Tyson Foods, the largest poultry producer in the United States, led the company to implement new animal welfare policies and commit to phasing out the use of antibiotics in its poultry production.

In addition to conducting investigations, MFA also engages in corporate outreach to encourage companies to adopt more animal-friendly policies. The organization works with food companies, restaurants, and retailers to encourage them to use cage-free eggs, eliminate the worst forms of animal confinement, and implement more humane slaughter practices. MFA’s efforts have led to many companies adopting more humane policies, including McDonald’s, Subway, and Walmart.

MFA also works to raise public awareness about the cruelty of factory farming and encourage people to adopt more plant-based diets. The organization runs ad campaigns, hosts events, and produces educational materials to inform the public about the suffering of farmed animals and the environmental and health benefits of plant-based eating. Through these efforts, MFA has helped to shift public opinion on animal welfare and promote more sustainable and compassionate food choices.

Finally, MFA advocates for legislative changes to improve the welfare of farmed animals. The organization works with lawmakers to introduce and pass animal welfare bills and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels. MFA has successfully advocated for laws banning cruel confinement practices like gestation crates for pigs and battery cages for hens in several states, as well as laws mandating more humane slaughter practices

In conclusion, Mercy For Animals is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the cruel and unsustainable practice of factory farming. Through its undercover investigations, corporate outreach, public awareness campaigns, and legislative advocacy, MFA has helped to raise public awareness about the suffering of farmed animals and encourage companies and lawmakers to adopt more animal-friendly policies. While there is still much work to be done to end factory farming, MFA’s efforts have already led to significant changes in the industry and offer hope for a more compassionate and sustainable future.