Animal Welfare and Animal

Rights

Unit 1

Questions about the ethical treatment of animals dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks.

There were four different views regarding the treatment of animals.◦ Animist believed that humans and animals shared and

exchanged souls.◦ Mechanist believed that neither humans nor animals had

souls◦ Vitalist believed that animals had souls but were not as

advanced as humans◦ The remaining Greeks (the majority) believed that

animals existed on earth for the benefit of humans.

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

Since the time of the ancient Greeks when the majority of people have been engaged in production agriculture people understood that taking proper care of animals resulted in greater productivity.

This trend changed in the 20th century and therefore fewer people had direct contact with animals and thus little understanding of the care and management of animals as practiced in modern agriculture.

This change is what provided an opportunity for those opposed to the use of animals to gain support for their cause.

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

What is the difference between animal welfare and animal rights?????

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

Animal welfare refers to the humane treatment of animals in both research and production agriculture. ◦ Proper Housing◦ Proper Nutrition◦ Veterinary care◦ Good management practices

Animal Welfare

Some animal welfare advocates believe that there are essential uses for animals such as:◦ Food◦ Medical research

They do not support animals for:◦ entertainment

Animal Welfare

Some activist believe that animal use by humans should be ended all together

Others realized this is not likely and therefore petition to end all animal suffering

Some major issues:◦ Use of hormones, antibiotics and additives in feeds◦ Caging laying hens◦ Production of veal calves◦ Confinement housing and farrowing crates for swine◦ Management practices such as castration, docking and

dehorning

Animal Rights

◦ Having household pets◦ Using animals in research◦ Consuming animal flesh◦ Using leather products or furs◦ Eating milk, eggs or other animal products for food◦ Hunting and trapping◦ Animals for entertainment

Some of these activist are willing to break laws such as stealing research animals and damaging property to draw attention to their cause.

Some of the people involved in the animals rights movement are urban dwellers who have limited direct knowledge of livestock production on the farm.

Animal Rights

People for the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) Quote regarding responsible breeders

◦ “Many people know to avoid puppy mills and "backyard" breeders. But many kind individuals fall prey to the picket-fence appeal of so-called "responsible" breeders and fail to recognize that no matter how kindly a breeder treats his or her animals, as long as dogs and cats are dying in animal shelters and pounds because of a lack of homes, no breeding can be considered ‘responsible.’”

◦ http://www.peta.org/about/why-peta/responsible-breeders.aspx

Animal Rights

The Animal Welfare Act ◦ Addresses housing, handling, sanitation,

nutrition, water, veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather and temperatures for all animals.

◦ Insures that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes or for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment

◦ Assures the humane treatment of animals during transportation

◦ Protect the owners of animals from the theft of their animals by preventing the sale or use of animals which have been stolen.

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act◦ To promote the well-being of farm animals by

requiring Federal agencies to procure food products derived from certain animals only from sources that raised the animals free from cruelty and abuse, and for other purposes.

◦ Affects egg laying hens, swine during pregnancy, calves raised for veal

◦ Animals must be able to stand up, lie down, and turn around freely; and fully extend all limbs.

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

Define these words.◦ Domestication◦ Animal Welfare◦ Animal Rights◦ Estray

Vocabulary