Animal Welfare and Animal Rights
Animal Rights and Animal Welfare – What is the Difference?
What is the difference between Animal Rights and Animal Welfare? – Animal rights and animal welfare are often considered to be the same thing, but despite sounding remarkably similar, they are actually two different concepts. As an animal charity, we often get asked “is animal welfare the same as animal rights?” or “how do animal welfare and animal rights organisations differ?”
The dictionary definition of the two phrases helps to highlight the distinctions, with one focusing on the everyday lived experience of animals, and the other concerned with the ethical rights of animals in regards to human exploitation. Although both concepts are borne from a passion and respect for animals amongst human beings, there are nuances between the two terms that are useful to differentiate.
Firstly let’s take a look at the dictionary definition of each:
Rights – the rights of animals to be protected from exploitation and abuse by humans.
Welfare – the protection of the health and well-being of animals.
When examining animal welfare vs animal rights more closely, key differences emerge:
Animal Rights refers to the belief that animals should have the same rights as humans. This is often used in conjunction with the principle that animals should never be used for the benefit of a human, for example animals being used as food, clothing or as pets. The notion behind animal rights is based on the idea that animals should live a life free of any human interference.
Animal Welfare is focussed on the well-being of an animal, and what the animal experiences throughout the course of its life. Historically it has been assessed by several different frameworks such as the five freedoms, and more recently the five domains model. The concept supports humane treatment of animals through regulated care-taking practices, for example, using a Standard to measure management practices against.
The ideology of animal welfare is based on a responsibility which humans have for animals under their care, and for them to be treated well, with the intention of giving them a good quality of life. Welfare is also evidence-based, using a scientific approach to its measurement.
Another way to differentiate the two concepts is to look at their focal species. Animal welfare is animal-centric, focussing on how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives, whereas animal rights (and the ethics associated with it) is more human-centric in its philosophical approach.
Wild Welfare has its own Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals which explores primary welfare requirements for the maintenance of wild animals.
As an animal welfare charity, we focus on the welfare of animals that we meet and work with through our capacity development projects around the world. We work to promote and enhance welfare for wild animals under human care by providing continuous guidance, accessible resources, and expertise to support animal managers and caretakers. Our process focuses on identifying opportunities for welfare improvement and implementing strategies to create lasting, positive change. We maintain a compassionate, collaborative and empathy-based approach to animal welfare.
This tactic has produced some significant animal welfare outcomes across our global projects throughout the years. From providing bear care staff with translated educational materials in Vietnam, to training auditors in how to identify and prioritise animal welfare improvements for thousands of species in Brazil. Our aim is always to drive forward welfare improvements for animals and the people who care for them, helping to ensure that every animal is able to thrive and live a good life.
If you’re inspired by our work to improve animal well-being, find out how you can contribute and get involved HERE.