Locals challenged to have a crack

Animal rights advocates are calling on the Illawarra to be a pioneer in the use of cruelty-free eggs.

Illawarra RSPCA branch president, Ann Dewson, said local businesses could lead the way in supporting Choose Wisely – the RSPCA’s new initiative to get hens out of cages.

“Although this is a national campaign we would like to hope that the Illawarra could be a leader in the use of cage free eggs,” Ms Dewson said. “It would be great for us to be a pioneer and for as many restaurants and cafes to get on board as possible. It gives the Illawarra a challenge.”

The Choose Wisely campaign aims to give business owners, chefs and their customers the tools and knowledge they need to make a tangible difference to the welfare of egg-laying hens. It asks businesses to commit to using cage-free eggs at a Gold, Silver or Bronze level, depending on whether they use them in all or some of their products, and asks customers to support those restaurants and cafés.

Participating businesses feature the Choose Wisely logo on their window.

Ms Dewson said the Illawarra was known for being a community of animal lovers. “The Illawarra has a strong animal welfare base and a strong animal focus and a real consciousness of environmental things and animal welfare,” she said.

For more information on the Choose Wisely campaign please visit www.choosewisely.org.au