With the cost of living on the rise, a trip to the supermarket is making a bigger dent in the budget of many Australians. It’s no secret that higher welfare animal-based products can sometimes cost more, as farmers provide more – such as bedding – and don’t overstock their animals. We know Australians care about animal welfare and still want to shop responsibly where they can. Supporting higher welfare doesn’t have to mean only buying boutique products – in fact, supporting producers that prioritise better animal welfare is easier than you think! Read on for tips on how to shop with animal welfare in mind, no matter your budget.
Purchasing higher-welfare products doesn’t necessarily mean buying products labelled as free range or organic as these labels alone don’t always mean better welfare on farm, there are many ways consumers can support better animal welfare. For example, making the choice to purchase cage-free (or ‘barn laid’) eggs is a good way to support better welfare for layer hens that is also cost-effective. Cage eggs come from layer hens confined to battery cages or in some cases, furnished cages, arguably the gravest animal welfare issue in Australia today – so avoiding cage eggs in favour of a well-managed barn system makes a huge difference. Cage-free eggs are readily available in supermarkets – and we understand that egg labelling can be confusing, so read our labelling blog to find out more.
Of course, we encourage anyone who can to choose RSPCA Approved eggs. Layer hens on farms with the RSPCA Approved certification are reared with more space to move around and socialise (very important for these clucky and curious birds), litter allowing for natural behaviours such as dust bathing, perches, and interesting objects to peck at for enrichment. As well as these important provisions farms with the RSPCA Approved certification are regularly assessed by specially trained RSPCA Assessors.
For budget-savvy shoppers, opting for supermarket own brands for common items can help to keep costs down. Did you know that all Woolworths and Coles own brand chicken is now RSPCA Approved? This includes fresh chicken and chicken used in ready and frozen meals. Meat chickens on farms with the RSPCA Approved certification are provided with more space to move and flap their wings, perches to keep their bones and muscles strong, and quality litter to encourage dust bathing.
But what about other animal-based products? Many budget-friendly products are now RSPCA Approved; take a look at our products page to see if your favourite has the RSPCA Approved certification.
It’s easier than ever for shoppers who care about animal welfare to source responsibly, no matter the budget. Whether it’s choosing cage-free eggs or RSPCA Approved – your choices help support Australian farmers prioritising animal welfare while helping to keep their products available and affordable.
Check out this video to see what life is like for meat chickens on farms with RSPCA Approved certification.
For further tips on how you can support higher welfare, check out How you can support a future of higher welfare farming and What is Responsible Sourcing?
