Following its February declaration to help its suppliers phase out pork gestation crates, McDonald's announced late last month a finite plan to eliminate the practice over the next ten years.

The Humane Society welcomed the news, although in a release stressed that the group "prefers a shorter time frame." Said the Society's vice president of farm animal protection, Paul Shapiro:

These cages are so cramped, the animals are unable even to turn around, essentially immobilized and lined up like parked cars for virtually their entire lives. We wish the company planned to get rid of these crates tomorrow, but we understand the logistical challenges involved in making such significant improvements.

To date, eight states have passed laws banning the use of gestation crates. Major pork produers Smithfield and Hormel have pledged to end the practice by 2017, and major retailers like Burger King, Safeway, Wendy's and Denny's have all promised to work with their suppliers to do the same.

Domino's has so far resisted pressure to change its practices.

Gestation crates are usually metal cages about seven feet long and two feet wide, and confine a sow in such a way that she is unable to move. She lives this way for most of her adult life.

Click through the below slideshow for a timeline of gestation crate elimination pledges.

Loading Slideshow...

  • Dunkin' Donuts

    In September, Dunkin' Donuts announced that it plans to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/dunkin-donuts-cage-free-eggs-gestation_n_1916260.html?1348678200" target="_hplink">eliminate all gestation crates</a>, but has not set a timeline. It is also moving toward cage-free eggs.

  • McDonald's

    At the end of May, the country's leading hamburger chain by sales announced a plan to eliminate its suppliers' use of gestation crates by 2022.

  • Denny's

    On May 15, Denny's announced it would work with its suppliers to end the use of gestation crates for its pork products.

  • Safeway

    In May, Safeway -- the country's second-largest grocery chain -- said it plans to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120507/us-safeway-humane-pork/" target="_hplink">stop buying meat</a> from suppliers that use gestation crates.

  • Burger King

    On April 23, Burger King pledged to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/burger-king-gestation-crates_n_1451703.html" target="_hplink">eliminate the use of pork from pigs raised in crates by 2017</a>. The company also pledged to offer entirely cage-free eggs by 2017.

  • Wendy's

    In March, Wendy's announced it would work with its U.S. and Canadian pork suppliers to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/23/wendys-animal-treatment_n_1375724.html" target="_hplink">phase out the use of gestation crates</a>.

  • Compass Group

    Also in March, Compass Group announced it would <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/going_green/2012/03/compass-group-will-end-contracts-with.html" target="_hplink">phase out the use of meat from pigs raised in gestation crates</a> by 2017. Compass Group runs dining operations at about 10,000 companies, hospitals, senior living centers, schools, colleges and universities, making it the largest food service company in the world.

  • McDonald's

    McDonald's also announced in February its <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/mcdonalds-gestation-crates_n_1275942.html" target="_hplink">plan to stop using meat from pig raised in the crates</a> by 2017.

  • Hormel, the maker of products like Spam, announced in February it <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/hormel-gestation-crates_n_1249707.html" target="_hplink">pledges to eliminate most gestation crates by 2017</a>.

  • Bon Appétit Management Company

    Also in February, Bon Appetit announced it would <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-bon-appetit-gestation-crates-20120220,0,7675759.story" target="_hplink">stop buying pork from providers who use gestation cates</a>. Bon Appetit runs more than 400 cafes across 31 states.

  • Smithfield Foods

    Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork producer, announced late last year it would <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/smithfield-gestation-crates_n_1136567.html" target="_hplink">end its practice of using gestation crates</a> for pregnant hogs by 2017.

  • Oscar Mayer

    In early July, Oscar Mayer pledged to source its pork from suppliers that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/oscar-mayer-gestation-crates_n_1658670.html" target="_hplink">no longer use gestation crates</a>. Oscar Mayer is owned by Kraft Foods.

  • Sysco

    On July 23, Sysco <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/24/sysco-gestation-crates_n_1698971.html?1343152570" target="_hplink">pledged to work with its producers to stop the use of gestation crates</a>. Sysco is the world's largest broadline food distributor.