Allied Feather & Down claims it has become the first major down supplier to achieve the milestone of 100 percent cruelty-free down, which means down that is free from live feather plucking and force-feeding of geese and ducks. The company has been recognized for its responsible practices by the U.S. office of Four Paws, an international advocacy for animal welfare. According to Four Paws, practices such as live-plucking and force-feeding are still prevalent in the down industry, regardless of the extreme suffering they cause to geese and ducks. The birds are typically plucked of their feathers without anaesthesia or medical care. Four Paws also works with other industry players such as Patagonia and The North Face to limit the suffering of animals throughout the supply chain and implement traceability standards.