Dr. Bronner’s “All-One Activist” series profiles influential activists who are advancing the core causes that Dr. Bronner’s supports through its philanthropy and advocacy.
Animal Outlook is a national nonprofit animal advocacy organization focused on exposing cruelty to farmed animals and promoting vegan living through investigations, legal advocacy, and public education.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. activist community, where Animal Outlook got its start as Compassion Over Killing. The group was one of my influences for committing to a vegan lifestyle in 1998 and the first organization I turned to when tasked with building Dr. Bronner’s animal advocacy program. Dr. Bronner’s has supported Animal Outlook (formerly Compassion Over Killing) since 2013. A lot has happened with the organization over years, including a name change, and multiple leadership changes.
Dr. Bronner’s blog featured an interview with former Executive Director Erica Meier in 2018. Given that the organization has gone through so many changes since, we caught up with current Executive Director, Ben Williamson to catch us up and share about himself, his vision for Animal Outlook, and its work now.
Let’s start with the basics: what is Animal Outlook and what’s your role there?
Animal Outlook is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing the truth about animal agriculture and building a more compassionate, sustainable food system. We investigate factory farms, advocate for vegan eating, and work to hold powerful industries accountable for the harm they cause to animals, people, and the planet. In short, we’re here to challenge the status quo and inspire change.
As the Executive Director, my role is to lead our incredible team in advancing this mission. That means everything from overseeing undercover investigations to developing programs that help farmers transition away from animal agriculture. I also spend a lot of time speaking out—whether it’s in the media, at conferences, or in the community—because I believe that change starts with awareness. My job is to make sure Animal Outlook is not just part of the conversation but driving it forward.
How did you become an advocate for animals? Why do you do this work and what inspires you?
My journey as an advocate for animals began with a simple realization: the choices I made every day—what I ate, what I supported—had a profound impact on the lives of others. Growing up in the UK, I was always drawn to the idea of fairness and justice, but it wasn’t until I learned about the realities of factory farming that I understood how deeply those values applied to animals. Once I saw the suffering behind the meat, dairy, and egg industries, I couldn’t look away. I knew I had to act.
What inspires me to do this work is the belief that change is possible. I’ve seen it firsthand—whether it’s a farmer transitioning to plant-based agriculture, a company committing to more ethical practices, or someone deciding to leave animals off their plate. These moments of transformation remind me that compassion is contagious.
I also think about the future we’re building—not just for animals but for our children and the planet. I want my daughters to grow up in a world where kindness and sustainability are the norm, not the exception. That vision keeps me going, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.
Tell us about your work before you landed at Animal Outlook.
Before joining Animal Outlook, I spent nearly a decade working in the animal protection movement, both in the U.S. and internationally. I started my career at PETA, where I served as a spokesperson and helped launch the organization’s investigations, learning how to challenge industries and inspire public action.
I then joined World Animal Protection, focusing on factory farming and wildlife exploitation, which deepened my understanding of how animal welfare connects to climate, public health, and social justice. Later, as Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming US, I worked directly with policymakers and industry leaders to drive reforms benefiting animals, consumers, and the environment.
These experiences with three of the world’s largest animal protection organizations shaped my leadership at Animal Outlook, teaching me that real change demands bold action, strategic partnerships, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Animal Outlook is known for your investigative work. Can you tell us more about your investigations and how this work has evolved over the years and what it looks like in 2025?
Investigations are core to Animal Outlook’s mission, exposing the hidden cruelty of animal agriculture. Over the years, our undercover footage has revealed horrific abuse, sparking public outrage, corporate reforms, and legal action. Initially, our focus was on documenting raw evidence of cruelty, but we’ve since expanded to challenge the systems that perpetuate it—filing lawsuits, working with whistleblowers, and pushing for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws.
In 2025, our investigations are more strategic than ever. We’re using tools like AI for help with deep research and drones to fly over factory farm walls to expose the cruelty within. We’re actively responding to current events, such as the recent bird flu outbreaks, to shed light on the inhumane depopulation methods used in the poultry industry. Through enhanced storytelling techniques, we’re connecting with broader audiences and catalyzing systemic change. Each investigation helps us demonstrate that there is no way to humanely farm animals, and that the only way to end their suffering is to leave animals off your plate entirely.
How do you as an organization, balance the work of seeking to improve the well-being of animals on factory farms who are raised for meat consumption and your work to promote plant-based eating? Why are these two approaches important and how do they complement each other?
At Animal Outlook, we prioritize promoting plant-based eating as the ultimate solution to ending animal suffering, while also addressing the immediate cruelty faced by animals trapped in the factory farming system. Advocating for better conditions on factory farms is not an endorsement of animal agriculture—it’s a way to alleviate the worst abuses while exposing the industry’s inherent cruelty.
Promoting veganism, however, is our long-term vision for systemic change. By encouraging people to adopt plant-based lifestyles, we challenge the root cause of animal exploitation and pave the way for a food system that is kinder, more sustainable, and free from violence.
How do animal exploitation and other forms of social injustice intersect?
The systems that exploit animals are often the same ones that harm marginalized human communities. Factory farming disproportionately pollutes communities of color and drives health crises like antibiotic resistance and diet-related diseases in underserved populations. Factory farms also rely heavily on undocumented immigrants to fill their workforce, often subjecting them to dangerous conditions, low wages, and minimal workplace protections. These workers are frequently exposed to physical hazards, such as injuries from machinery or handling animals, and health risks, including respiratory issues from poor air quality. Without legal protections or avenues for redress, they face exploitation and abuse, with little recourse to improve their situation. This exploitation is yet another example of how the factory farming system prioritizes profit over people, animals, and ethics.
The alleviation of animal suffering is inherently an intersectional issue. Addressing it means challenging the interconnected systems of oppression that harm animals, humans, and the environment alike. By advocating for systemic change, we work toward a more equitable and compassionate world for all beings.
What other social movements are your biggest allies and inspirations?
Movements for racial justice, environmental protection, labor rights, and public health are some of our strongest allies and inspirations. I’ve also personally drawn profound lessons from the British anti-slavery movement, particularly the work of William Wilberforce. His tireless advocacy not only helped abolish the transatlantic slave trade but also led to the founding of the world’s first SPCA, recognizing the moral imperative to protect vulnerable beings—human and non-human alike.
What have vegetarians, vegans, and other anti-factory farming advocates achieved in the last four decades?
Over the past four decades, public awareness of factory farming’s cruelty has grown dramatically, fueled by undercover investigations, documentaries, and advocacy campaigns. This shift has driven the rise of plant-based eating, with veganism becoming increasingly mainstream. When I went vegan in 2009 the only option was shopping at specialty health food stores—I’m sure it was even worse in ’98. Now we can find great tasting meat alternatives at our local grocery stores.
Advocates have pressured corporations to adopt welfare reforms, such as eliminating gestation crates and transitioning to cage-free eggs—45% of the national layer flock is now cage free. Legal challenges have set important precedents, holding industry accountable and pushing for stronger animal protection laws, such as California’s Proposition 12. These efforts have reduced animal suffering while also exposing the systemic cruelty these changes fail to address. The progress achieved reflects the power of collective action and a growing cultural shift toward compassion and sustainability.
What advancements have we seen in popular culture in the last 5 years in favor of animal rights?
In the past five years, animal rights have gained significant traction in popular culture. Documentaries like The Game Changers and Seaspiracy have reached global audiences, sparking conversations about animal exploitation, health, and the environment. Celebrities, athletes, and influencers have embraced veganism, using their platforms to promote compassion and plant-based living. Major fast-food chains have introduced plant-based options, normalizing cruelty-free eating for the mainstream.
Social media has amplified these shifts, with viral content exposing factory farming and showcasing the benefits of plant-based diets. Additionally, fashion brands are increasingly rejecting fur, exotic skins, and other animal-derived materials, reflecting growing consumer demand for ethical alternatives. These advancements demonstrate a cultural shift toward recognizing animals as sentient beings deserving of protection.
Why is it important to advocate for a complete shift to plant-based or vegan eating rather than just asking them to reduce the amount of animal products they consume?
While reduction approaches may decrease the number of animals harmed, they still normalize the idea that exploiting animals for food is acceptable at some level. This undermines the fundamental ethical principle that animals deserve freedom from exploitation.
Animal Outlook has always had a consistent vegan message acknowledging that each animal has inherent value and interests that cannot be compromised. Veganism challenges the property status of animals in our legal and economic systems, pushing for transformative change rather than incremental reforms that often entrench exploitation.
Additionally, partial approaches can create a false sense of progress while allowing harmful practices to continue. They may even legitimize “humane” animal products, which still involve suffering and ultimately end in slaughter. By contrast, advocating for veganism offers a coherent ethical framework that aligns our values with our actions and creates momentum for the systemic changes needed to truly end animal exploitation.
Tell us about Animal Outlook’s partnership with Dr. Bronner’s.
Animal Outlook’s exclusive corporate partnership with Dr. Bronner’s represents a powerful alignment of values and vision. We’re deeply grateful that you’ve entrusted us with your reputation in furtherance of our shared objectives for animals.
What makes this collaboration so effective is our parallel missions of disruption—Dr. Bronner’s revolutionizing the personal care industry with ethical products and practices, while Animal Outlook works to transform the food system away from animal exploitation. Dr. Bronner’s authenticity in the causes they support is a key part of what makes this partnership so impactful. They don’t view corporate giving as just a business transaction; they genuinely believe in the work they fund and actively engage as a partner in driving change. That sincerity strengthens our collaboration and amplifies our shared impact.
Dr. Bronner’s support has been instrumental in powering our undercover investigations, legal advocacy, and campaigns that expose factory farming’s realities for many years now. Unlike traditional corporate partnerships that often dilute messaging, our collaboration maintains the integrity of our shared values while advancing meaningful change for animals.
This relationship demonstrates how mission-aligned organizations across different sectors can unite to create a more just and compassionate world—a model we hope will inspire others as we continue this important work together.
How can readers support your work and the fight for a more compassionate world?
There are several impactful ways to support Animal Outlook’s work:
- Donate: Your financial support directly powers our undercover investigations, legal advocacy, and corporate campaigns. All of Animal Outlook’s work, whether it’s undercover investigations or our advocacy initiatives, are 100% funded by individuals like Dr. Bronner’s and your customers. Monthly giving provides sustainable funding that helps us plan effectively for long-term change.
- Engage with our campaigns: Sign petitions, share our investigations, and participate in action alerts at animaloutlook.org. These collective actions pressure companies and policymakers to address animal cruelty.
- Choose plant-based: Join our VegPledge program to receive support, recipes, and resources as you transition to compassionate eating. This structured approach helps you make sustainable changes that align with your values.
- Amplify our message: Share our content on social media, have conversations with friends and family, and help normalize compassion for farmed animals in your community.
By taking these actions, you become part of a growing movement working toward a food system based on compassion rather than exploitation.
Finally, what is your favorite Dr. Bronner scent?
I have to say, the Peppermint Dr. Bronner’s soap is my personal favorite. There’s something incredibly refreshing about that cooling tingle— especially after a long day of advocacy. It’s invigorating and helps clear the mind. It’s a classic for good reason!