"America's diner" just got a little bit finer. Denny's is now buying nearly all of its turkeys from a slaughterhouse that uses controlled atmosphere killing (CAK), the least cruel poultry slaughter method available.

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Denny's positive step for animals came after PETA discussed with the chain how birds killed using CAK are put to sleep with a nonpoisonous gas, a process that is far less traumatic than traditional slaughter. These turkeys purchased by Denny's will no longer be hung upside down by their legs in metal shackles and dragged through a stunning tank of electric water before having their throats cut while they are still conscious and able to feel pain. Those who miss the blade are killed by being dumped into scalding-hot water, meant to remove their feathers.

Denny's joins Ruby Tuesday, Starbucks, Subway, Quiznos, Harris Teeter, and Winn-Dixie in beginning to source CAK poultry.

You can send Denny's a quick thank-you for taking this important step that will reduce immense suffering for all the birds people have yet to stop eating or let restaurant personnel know in person when you stop in to try their yummy veggie burger.  

All right, McDonald’s, what are you waiting for?

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow

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I travel a lot for work, and between going to meetings, catching flights, and trying to get to hotels at a reasonable hour, I'm always on the lookout for a quick bite to eat. Quiznos has saved me many a time with its delicious toasted veggie sandwiches—but I've been troubled by its animal welfare record.

Well, Quiznos has just taken its first major step. We've been working quietly with the company for about a year, talking about the importance of animal welfare reforms to improve the lives and deaths of the animals killed for its products. Now, Quiznos has officially moved forward. It will do the following:

• Begin phasing in the purchase of eggs from suppliers that don't cage their hens, starting with 5 percent by next year
• Begin phasing in the purchase of pig meat from suppliers that don't confine pregnant sows to barren, metal "gestation crates" (causing extreme physical and psychological trauma), starting with 15 percent by 2012
• Begin phasing in the purchase of turkeys killed using a less cruel slaughter method called "controlled atmosphere killing" (CAK), starting with 5 percent by the end of 2009
• Give purchasing preference to suppliers using these less cruel production methods, including chicken suppliers that switch to CAK

Quiznos has also removed the eggs entirely from three of its four cookies. (Unfortunately, they still aren't vegan, but this will still prevent thousands of hours of suffering for laying hens).

These reforms mark the first steps forward for Quiznos, and we wish those companies resisting change would at least make similar moves (come on Subway, what are you waiting for?). That said, not eating animals (or their eggs or milk) is still the best way to help them. So while it is terrific that pigs, chickens, and turkeys will now suffer less for some of Quiznos' products, I'll stick with those veggie subs.

Written by Matt Prescott