When I was a freshman in high school, I had to read Fast Food Nation and watch Supersize Me for my AP Human Geography class. I still ate meat at the time but after reading and watching, I wasn't able to eat McDonald's anymore.

Why? Because I learned about the conditions chickens destined for McDonald’s menu items are forced to endure.

Chickens raised for McDonald’s live a life of complete misery from the start of their life to the end. They live their short lives crammed in dark windowless sheds with thousands of other chickens. With nowhere to go, they are forced to live in their own waste - waste that is so toxic, it causes ammonia burns on their bodies. To make matters even worse, these chickens are bred to grow so large so fast that they suffer from painful injuries and debilitating diseases.

While these conditions are currently commonplace for millions of chickens, McDonald’s has the power to make a difference and to put an end to this unnecessary suffering.

How? By adopting an animal welfare policy that lays out a plan for creating meaningful and measurable changes that address the worst abuses suffered by chickens. Several large companies including Starbucks, Subway, and Burger King have already committed to changes The Humane League, along with a coalition of animal protection organizations, are asking of McDonald’s - so we know it is possible.

Now that I am a part of this campaign against McDonald's I'm glad I boycotted it so long ago, not just for health reason but because I had unwittingly stopped contributing to the cruel treatment of animals in McDonald's supply chain. I am so thankful that the #ImNotLovinIt campaign exists and groups like The Humane League are shedding light on these injustices. I’m proud that I can be a part of it in an active way in my local community.

I hope you will join me in urging McDonald’s to be a leader and address the outdated and unnecessary animal abuse in its chicken supply chain by signing and sharing this petition!