Hey, girl, Ryan Gosling is once again proving he's one amazing individual. On Monday, Ryan Gosling sent a letter to Costco asking the wholesale corporation to sell cage-free eggs and to treat animals the right way. In the letter, which was shared with the public by the Humane Society of the United States, Gosling asks Costco's chief executive officer to not use the allegedly cage confined chickens for the eggs the company sells. Not only does the letter show Gosling's animal-friendly side, but also showcases the actor's kind soul — did fans of The Notebook star really expect anything less?
Why is Gosling reaching out to Costco? The letter is a result of a June 2015 Humane Society of the United States undercover investigation, which found alleged mistreatment of animals and food safety risks at a major Costco egg supplier. The investigation also claims live birds were locked in cages, with some cages even containing dead birds.
Costco has released a statement on their website that notes their commitment to the ethical treatment of animals and explains:
One of our suppliers, Hillandale Farms, was featured in a video recently released by the Humane Society. Hillandale has released a statement with its perspective on the incident, available at http://hillandalefarms.com/. Inspections that we have conducted there as recently as this week confirmed for us that Hillandale is behaving appropriately. Hillandale has identified some areas in which it believes it can improve, including process improvement and more training for its employees. We support these efforts.
Hillandale Farm's statement was released on June 9 and reads in part:
We believe our high standards were compromised by [an] undercover employee, who shot the video in a barn where he was the primary caretaker, with responsibility to maintain cleanliness in the barns, address any equipment issues and remove mortality on a daily basis. It appears clear that he disregarded required operational procedures and then videotaped the barn and flock with the intent to misrepresent Hillandale Farms.
As for Gosling's letter, it showcases the passion behind his argument and his hopes for a better future for all animals. He writes,
[I]t’s appalling that Costco has been selling these eggs with deceptive labeling on cartons featuring graphics of birds living out in a green pasture. You’re already eliminating cages for veal calves and pigs — don’t you feel that chickens also deserve the same mercy?
For those who are Gosling fans and follow his activism, this letter should come as no surprise, because this isn't the first time he's spoken up for animals. In 2013, the actor advocated on behalf of dairy cows calling for an end to dehorning. That same year, the 34-year-old also spoke on behalf of pigs and argued that they should not live in tiny cages. If that isn't enough, in 2011, he voiced his concern for the cruel practices of slaughterhouses.
Gosling closes his letter by saying: "So many corporations are meeting public demand for more humane products and transparency in the food chain. I sincerely hope that Costco will set plans now to go completely cage-free for its eggs."
Regardless of this specific situation with Costco, it's clear that Gosling is passionate about animal rights and will keep up the fight.
Images: Getty Images (2)
