Dear Supporters,

For over a year we've been asking Costco to require its major pork suppliers to stop confining mother pigs in gestation crates for the first 6 weeks (one third) of their pregnancy cycle. But, regrettably, on its recently updated animal welfare web page it looks like Costco is digging in on this unfortunate practice. 

Now, instead of asking their suppliers to phase out the use of crates, they're telling them it’s okay to just "limit the use of gestation crates" because "there may be certain times during a sow's gestation period during which it would be best for her to be separated from the rest of the group." In other words, it’s okay to confine her in a crate with no room to turn around for weeks at a time. 

But here’s where things get confusing. While Costco says there are times when gestation crates are okay to use, simultaneously, Costco states in its Gestation Crate Policy that mother pigs should “have adequate room to turn around.” 

So … does Costco still believe that a mother pig – whether separated in a crate or in a group – should have the room to turn around?

Please politely let Costco know whether you think it is ever okay for a pig (or any animal) to be confined so tightly it can’t turn around for weeks at a time. All you need to do is scroll down to the DISCUSSION section below this update note and leave your comment. Please indicate whether you are a Costco member. We’ll send your comment to Costco.

Thank you for your support,

Crate Free USA