A Guide to Animal Welfare and Rights
Inconsistent Moral Circles
Society condemns dogfighting but subsidizes pig confinement. We spend billions on pet care while billions of land animals suffer short, painful lives. This “moral schizophrenia” (a term used by philosopher Hal Herzog) is the field’s central unsolved puzzle.
3. Key Philosophical Arguments
8. Key Organizations to Follow
- World Animal Protection – Policy, disaster response, wildlife.
- Humane Society International – Global welfare laws.
- Compassion in World Farming – Farm animal welfare.
- Animal Legal Defense Fund – Litigation and legal advocacy.
- The Nonhuman Rights Project – Legal personhood for animals.
2. The Foundation: The Five Freedoms (Animal Welfare)
Developed in 1965, this is the global standard for assessing welfare. An animal should have:
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst – Ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health.
- Freedom from Discomfort – Appropriate shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease – Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Freedom to Express Normal Behavior – Sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind.
- Freedom from Fear and Distress – Conditions that avoid mental suffering.