Dunkin' Donuts will start by making 10% of all eggs sourced for breakfast sandwiches in the U.S. cage free by the end of the year.

CANTON, MASS. — Dunkin’ Donuts has taken steps to make 10% of all eggs sourced for its breakfast sandwiches in the United States cage-free by the end of 2015. The move is part of a larger effort that may include transitioning to 100% cage-free eggs globally. Additionally, Dunkin’ Donuts said it will source only gestation crate-free pork in the United States by 2022.

The announcement was made in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (H.S.U.S.). Dunkin’ Brands is working with its suppliers and the H.S.U.S. to update its animal welfare policy and meet its target goals.

“Dunkin’ Brands and our franchisee community care about the welfare of animals and their humane treatment,” said Christine Riley Miller, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Dunkin’ Brands. “We set a goal to source 5% cage-free eggs by 2013, an accomplishment we are proud to have achieved. Now, working with our suppliers and the Humane Society of the United States, we are setting new commitments to help the egg and pork industries eliminate cages to demonstrate our responsibility to animal welfare and sustainable, ethical sourcing.”

Josh Balk, senior food policy director of the H.S.U.S., added, “Dunkin’s commitment to improve the lives of farm animals is taking another positive step. This new policy is further testament that consumers and companies are aligned in shifting the egg and pork industries away from confining animals in cages.”