Animal Rights

• Philosophical belief that animals should have rights, including to live their lives free of human intervention (and death at hands of humans)
• The gap between humans and other animals are disappearing (study leads to thinking of animals as individuals with distinct mental and emotional lives)
• Welfare Science measures the effect on animals of different situations and environments from the animal’s point of view
• Welfare Ethics concerns human actions towards animals (what we do and what we should do)
• Welfare Legislation concerns how humans must treat animals

Difference between Animal Rights and Animal Welfare

a. Animal Welfare

• Focuses on the well-being of animals under human care.
• Accepts the use of animals for food, research, work, and companionship provided they are treated humanely.
• Concerned with minimizing pain, distress, and suffering.
• Guided by the Five Freedoms and scientific welfare indicators.
• Supported by international bodies like OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) and welfare legislation.
• Example: Ensuring proper housing, feed, water, and humane slaughter practices for livestock.

b. Animal Rights

• Advocates that animals have inherent rights similar to human rights.
• Believes animals should not be used by humans for food, research, clothing, or entertainment.
• Ethical philosophy rooted in the idea that animals are sentient beings with autonomy.
• Goes beyond welfare by demanding abolition of animal use rather than improvement of conditions.
• Supported mainly by animal rights movements and NGOs like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
• Example: Opposing animal farming, hunting, circus use, and laboratory testing.

c. Key Differences