The plight of farm animals may not be at the top of students’ minds when biting into a freshly baked donut, but University sophomore Tabitha Phillips thinks it should be.

Phillips’ Vegan Coconut Éclair is one of 12 finalists in the Dunkin’ Cruelty vegan donut competition, sponsored by Compassion Over Killing, a nonprofit organization promoting vegetarianism.

“I wanted to recreate an éclair and then give it a fun twist with the coconut and sprinkles,” Phillips said. 

As a freshman at the University, Phillips attended an event sponsored by Speak Out for Species.

The event showcased the films “Food, Inc.” — which shows how the nation’s modern farming industry may be harming the health of Americans — and “Fowl Play,” which documents abuses to factory-farmed laying hens.

“That’s when I decided I really wanted to be an activist,” Phillips said. 

Visitors to the contest’s website were encouraged to vote for their favorite out of the 12 donuts. The donut with the most votes will be brought to life by award-winning Pennsylvania bakery Vegan Treats and sold in its shop.

Executive Director at Compassion Over Killing, Erica Meier, said she expects to announce a winner later this week.

Meier said her organization has been urging Dunkin’ Donuts to eliminate or reduce the use of eggs in its food, but the company has been unresponsive.

Compassion Over Killing turned up the heat by asking vegans and vegetarians to submit vegan recipes to the national baking company’s Create Dunkin’s Next Donut Contest.

Meier said people were so responsive that the group decided to create its own contest, Dunkin’ Cruelty, to mimic Dunkin’ Donuts’ contest.

Although Dunkin’ Donuts has not said it will introduce vegan pastries, according to its website the company said it is considering the feasibility of using cage-free eggs.

Phillips cooks and bakes regularly, and said she believes vegan pastries — such as those found locally at The Grit on Prince Avenue — would have mass appeal.

“There’s no difference in taste, and it’s so much healthier,” she said.