Open Cages Is Now Anima — Here’s Why It Matters

Say goodbye to Open Cages.

Say hello to Anima!

We’ve changed our name. It’s a small change on the surface, but it reflects something much more important about who we are and where we’re headed next.

Open Cages has always been part of something bigger. From the very beginning, we’ve been working as part of a wider organisation called Anima International (more on this below!).

For me, this name change is an exciting opportunity to tell you more about the larger movement we're part of.

How Open Cages started

When Open Cages first began, it was just me, sitting in my mum’s living room. No money. No plan. And no real clue what I was doing.
I didn’t set out to run an organisation… in fact, I could barely change my duvet cover (still can’t). But I was determined to help animals, and I didn’t really know how else to do that except by trying something (anything!) and seeing what happened. At the time, that meant learning how to make documentaries and campaigning on my university campus (yes, occasionally dressed as a cow).

My determination caught the attention of a few activists from outside the UK: a small but motivated group of animal advocates from several European countries were joining forces to form a new organisation, called Anima International. What brought us together was a shared goal to end animal suffering everywhere, and they believed that I could be part of their new team. One thing led to another, and soon the UK soon became one of Anima's battlegrounds for animals, with me at the helm. Second-hand equipment. A grant of a few thousands pounds. That initial support was exactly what I needed. The knowledge and experience of my new colleagues helped Open Cages get off the ground, and without them, I’m not sure where it would be. 

At the same time as our campaigns grew in the UK, Anima International expanded with knowledge and campaigns spreading across six countries, all with the same goal: tackling animal suffering wherever our impact could be biggest.

What Anima International does (and why it matters)

That's what makes Anima International unique. We’re not wedded to any one campaign, intervention or species. We go where we can have the greatest impact; where animals are suffering most, where decision-makers can be moved, and where teams are determined and strong enough to make meaningful progress.

Over the past six years, that approach has helped us grow to a team of over one hundred people working full-time to end animal suffering.

It might sound like a lot of people. But compared to the scale of the animal farming industry, it’s tiny. To put it in perspective, according to calculations by 80,000 Hours, Anima International alone accounts for around 5% of everyone working full-time to help farmed animals. Which is pretty scary. But it's also exactly why we have to take this work seriously.

Working together has made us stronger than ever, leading to some major victories. Last year, Poland, the second largest fur producer, banned fur farming following a decade long fight! And last month, in a world first, Norway announced that it is phasing out “frankenchickens”- birds bred to grow so fast they suffer immense pain.

And that’s where our main focus is now in the UK. Frankenchickens. Why? Because their numbers dwarf all other animals on UK farms. They may not be in cages, but they still suffer extreme pain. In fact, their bodies are their cages. These birds grow so fast that many of them struggle to walk. Others develop painful skin conditions, and some even die of heart attack before they even make it to the slaughterhouse.

Frankenchicken: a Global Priority for Anima International

The UK is one of Europe’s largest chicken producers. And at least 90% of the chickens we produce are fast-growing frankenchickens.

So the scale of chicken suffering in the UK is enormous, but so is the public support for animal welfare. That’s why the UK is such an important campaigning ground for Anima, and a top global priority. This year, we’re pouring more resources than ever into this fight. We’re planning our biggest campaign yet (more on this to come!). 

What's in a Name?

Anima reflects who we have always been.

We campaign relentlessly for the animals who need it most. That includes animals trapped in cages, but it doesn’t stop there. Our focus is guided by the evidence, always looking for where we can have the greatest impact.

More than that, this name change reflects something bigger: that we’re part of a connected, international movement. One that works together, learning from each other's mistakes and successes, and united in our common goal: to end animal suffering.

More coming very soon.

Connor