Animal Care
We have a responsibility to care for our animals
As part of our animal care commitment, we create a culture of caring and accountability. We embrace practices that enhance animal well-being, and we work closely with our producers, partners and suppliers to advance high standards of animal care throughout our supply chain.
Advancing animal care
We adhere to high standards of animal care
Our approach to caring for farm animals is grounded in the same values that guide our culture and operations. We are committed to treating farm animals raised or sourced within our supply chain with care and respect. Over time, we have strengthened governance, increased investment and sharpened operational focus to build a world-class animal welfare program.
Here are some examples of the kind of standards and practices we’ve implemented across our operations and our supply chain.
Animal Care Performance Report
We’re documenting our animal care goals and measuring our progress. See how we’re doing in our 2025 Animal Care Performance Report.
How we use antibiotics in the animals we raise
We are one of Canada’s largest producers of Raised Without Antibiotics chicken. The animals in our Raised Without Antibiotics program never receive antibiotics for any purpose. If an animal becomes sick, our veterinarians may determine antibiotic treatment is the most humane option. When this occurs, the animals don’t enter our Raised Without Antibiotics product channel.
Animal care standards
Our animal care standards meet industry recommendations and in some cases even exceed them. Our team oversees programs that ensure we raise, transport, and handle animals at our plants in a humane way that minimizes stress. We measure our progress and we strive to improve our programs every day.
Our Poultry Welfare Approach
Caring for the poultry we raise is a top priority of the work we do to protect the welfare of our animals. We’re focused on 13 areas of poultry health and welfare to ensure birds are treated with care at all stages of chicken production.
Keeping our animals safe from disease
At Maple Leaf, we work hard to keep our animals healthy and safe from disease through comprehensive care managed by veterinarians and through our biosecurity practices that provide strong protection against animal diseases entering our operations.
All of our poultry are inspected by Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarians at our plants because only healthy animals may be processed for food.
Some animal diseases are particularly devastating to animals. One such disease is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which can affect commercial poultry, wild birds, and other animals.
Integrated Report
We’re documenting and calculating all the changes we’re making. See our progress in our 2025 Integrated Report.