After the horrific cruelty we documented on Lowfields Farm, an Arla supplying mega-dairy, more than 12,000 people signed our petition asking Starbucks to make oat their default nationwide. Their voices were strengthened even further by a celebrity-backed Open Letter, urging Starbucks to take one simple, reasonable step: to pilot oat milk as the default option in just one UK store. It was a small ask with the potential to make a meaningful impact.

Starbucks sources all their milk from Arla supplying farms, so we urged them to make positive changes. This is such a big opportunity for Starbucks to show leadership at a time when the world is calling for more compassionate choices.

Starbucks Ignored Us

They ignored your voices, the voices of public figures, academics, veterinarians and, most strikingly, they ignored the suffering of dairy cows. So we decided to take the conversation directly to them. We visited Starbucks headquarters to deliver the open letter in person, hoping they would at least be willing to engage with the concerns of thousands of people. Instead, we were met with avoidance rather than openness. It was clear that they didn’t welcome our presence, or the message we carried, and they refused to speak to us - leaving us no choice but to leave our Open Letter at the reception desk at Chiswick Business Park.

Distraction, deflection, and avoidance are tactics we’ve seen many times in this industry. They don’t surprise us, and they certainly don’t deter us. If anything, they underscore the urgency of what we’re fighting for. And unfortunately for Starbucks, none of their attempts to sidestep responsibility will stop us from pushing for a more compassionate future.

This Fight Doesn’t End With Starbucks

While Starbucks is a major player, they are only the starting point for a much bigger campaign. Our goal is bigger than influencing a single brand. The world is moving toward plant-based options with or without corporate cooperation. Plant milks aren’t just the future, they’re already the present, embraced by consumers for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Dairy-free choices are no longer fringe; they’re mainstream.

That’s why we believe 2026 will be the year plant-milk defaults become the norm. The shift is coming, driven by public demand and undeniable evidence, and the companies that fail to adapt will simply be left behind. We’re building a movement that is growing stronger every day, powered by people who believe animals deserve better and that sustainable choices should be accessible to everyone.

So now we’re asking you: Are you with us?

As always, 

For the Animals!

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