What is the difference between animal welfare and animal rights?

The subject of animal welfare is one of the hottest topics for animal related issues. There are many sources of information on the topic and many different points of view. Sources for information include the media, animal rights groups, the industries and lawyers. The resulting information often comes from individuals and groups without much knowledge on the topic.

Veterinarians receive a broad, science based education on the care of animals including nutrition, housing, medicine, and behavior. This education includes large animals like horses and cows, and small animals like dogs and cats. The veterinary community is in a unique position to observe how animals are viewed and cared for in different situations.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has as one of its five strategic goals, “AVMA is a leading advocate for, and an authoritative, science-based resource on animal welfare.” The AVMA has a wealth of information on animal welfare issues. While there are many more issues to address, and many of those extremely contentious even within the AVMA, significant progress has been made. Most importantly, general principles have been established.

The AVMA has several publications on the topic. I will quote from “Animal Welfare: Seeing the forest AND the trees,” a description of animal welfare. Simply put, ‘welfare’ means the overall mental and physical health; protecting an animal’s welfare means providing for its mental and physical needs. Ensuring animal welfare is a human responsibility that addresses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and when necessary, humane euthanasia. Additionally, eight integrated principles have been created for developing and evaluating animal welfare policies, resolutions, and actions.

I did not find a good definition for animal rights. There are a very large number of animal rights groups active in the United States and around the world. There appears to be a variety of views present in different groups. Most of the groups would likely accept most of the AVMA description of animal welfare as a start, but go on to place animals in a legal standing at the same level as a person. Some of these groups espouse the ideas that people should not use animals for any purpose, including food (meat, milk), entertainment (zoos, pets), or clothing (wool and leather). A web search of “animal rights” will yield links to many organizations.

I expect the national animal welfare/animal rights debates to continue for quite some time. As this discussion continues, we must remember to always consider the long-term effects of the decisions that are made. Laws like the horse slaughter ban, with no provisions for the care of unwanted horses, will only create more problems in the long run. In the short term, there has been about a four-fold increase in horses shipped to Mexico for slaughter. The care for those horses and slaughter practices in Mexico are well below acceptable standards. What other unintended consequences are on the horizon?

As this debate continues, we must use reason, science and logic to find an answer. Emotion must be considered, but must not be the only deciding factor. The goal must be to provide for the welfare of the animals within the care of humans.

More information on animal welfare can be found at www.AVMA.org and www.AAHA.org.

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