Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights Objective : Define animal welfare and rights issues

Animal Welfare  Humane treatment of animals  Most animal producers and researchers believe in animal welfare support animal nutrition support animal nutrition oppose cruel treatment oppose cruel treatment

Animal Welfare  Scientific information should be the basis for decisions, laws, and regulations related to animal welfare  It is difficult to assess animal comfort because they do not talk and there are no universally accepted measures to use

Animal Welfare  In Western society the idea is that humans are dominant creations and have the right to dominate other creatures  In Eastern society, people view humans as equal to other species and therefore feel they should not be allowed to harm any animals

In the picture above Cambodians perform a ritual for a “holy cow” that had died. Cambodians and many other cultures worship cows in hopes for good luck, hope and prosperity.

Indian culture believes that cows are sacred. They go as far as worshipping cows and treating them better than themselves. They also allow cows to defecate in their homes in order to be blessed.

Animal Welfare  With increased urbanization many people have not been directly involved with agriculture These people are more likely to lean towards the idea of animal rights These people are more likely to lean towards the idea of animal rights People can be biased if they have never experienced life with animals People can be biased if they have never experienced life with animals People typically believe the views given to them by their parents People typically believe the views given to them by their parents

This vs. That

Animal Rights  Animal should not be used by humans The issues of animal welfare and animal rights date back thousands of years to the ancient Greeks The issues of animal welfare and animal rights date back thousands of years to the ancient Greeks Sometimes controversial such as PETA, etc… Sometimes controversial such as PETA, etc…

Animal Rights  Believe that animals should not be used by humans for any reason Vegetarians Vegetarians Vegans Vegans Activists Activists Animals are equal to Animals are equal to humans and should be treated that way

Animal Rights  Many animals rights groups believe they are doing the right thing but aren’t considering the history between animals and humans Some animal rights activists don’t realize the difference between welfare and rights and may actually be more on the side of Animal Welfare Some animal rights activists don’t realize the difference between welfare and rights and may actually be more on the side of Animal Welfare

Companion Animals--Pets  6 to 8 Million Dogs and Cats: Every year, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters, and 3 to 4 million shelter dogs and cats are killed. Every year, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters, and 3 to 4 million shelter dogs and cats are killed.  80 Percent of Puppies: Most pet store puppies Most pet store puppies come from puppy mills