Dear Supporter,
Typically, Costco updates its animal welfare policy in December. As always, we look forward to learning about progress made during the year to their stated animal welfare goals.
Our perspective: It appears that Costco is making progress towards its 2022 stated goal to “minimize the time in confinement” from when a mother pig is first inseminated and when she is transitioned to group housing. While most major pork producers wait about six weeks before transitioning mother pigs into group housing, there are more forward thinking producers that confine these pigs for less than 9 days. We hope Costco continues to expand relationships with these kinds of suppliers!
Last year, Costco also stated that “Costco U.S. and Canada plan to source pork from suppliers utilizing only open-pen housing beginning in calendar 2023 for all fresh pork and Kirkland Signature cooler items, subject to supply chain capacity.” We hope to learn that Costco has achieved this goal.
Please call Costco. Thank them for their work, and ask for continued transparency on progress.
Costco members:
- Call 1-800-774-2678 - Option #4. Have your membership number handy. Once connected to a representative, introduce yourself. Use the ideas below as a guide or have your own polite conversation.
- Chat online. Hit the “chat us” button on the lower right of the page.
Non Costco members:
Go to Costco.com. Just click the “Feedback” tab on the right side of the screen or scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Feedback".
- Click website. Choose “product availability” for the topic.
- Write in your comment
What you can say to Costco:
- Thank you for paying attention to consumer concerns about the treatment of pigs by your pork suppliers.
- Ask: Will you be sharing progress updates about your goal to reduce confinement time of mother pigs in crates at the beginning of their pregnancy cycles?
- Ask: During 2023, have you achieved your stated goal of only buying pork from suppliers utilizing open-pen housing?
If you get a response or speak to someone, please share below in the discussion dialog box.
Thank you for your support!