Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Country: The Philippines 

Project: The Better Chicken Option

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-government, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of animal welfare in the Philippines. While PAWS is widely known for its work with companion animals, it also leads national advocacy on farm animal welfare through The Better Chicken Option (TBCO), a campaign focused on improving the lives of broiler chickens raised for food.

The project addresses the rapid expansion of intensive broiler production in the Philippines, driven by fast-food growth and rising protein demand. Under current systems, chickens are bred for extremely fast growth and raised in crowded environments that prevent natural behaviors, leading to poor health, suffering, and increased reliance on antibiotics.

Through TBCO, PAWS aims to shift industry norms by promoting higher welfare standards, supporting partner farms, influencing restaurant sourcing practices, and working with government agencies to integrate humane broiler welfare standards into national policies.