How Long Has Animal Welfare Been Around?
Animal welfare may seem like a recent development, but the idea of treating animals with kindness goes back thousands of years. Over time, as societies grew and evolved, so did our understanding of animal welfare. Today’s organized animal welfare movement began in earnest during the 19th century, but its roots are deep, drawing on early religious teachings, philosophical ideas, and growing concerns about the treatment of animals.
In this article, we’ll explore where animal welfare ideas originated, how they developed into formalized efforts, and how they continue to evolve. By understanding this history, we can appreciate both how far we’ve come and the importance of continuing to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation.
Ancient Views on Animal Welfare
Religious Teachings on Compassion for Animals
Many of the earliest ideas about animal welfare can be traced back to religious and spiritual beliefs. For instance:
Hinduism and Buddhism: Dating back thousands of years, these religions promoted compassion and non-violence toward animals. In Hinduism, animals are often seen as part of a divine order, and the concept of “ahimsa” (non-harming) extends to all living beings. Buddhism similarly encourages kindness to animals, with teachings on minimizing suffering and promoting peace for all creatures.
Jainism: This religion, originating in India around the 6th century BCE, has some of the strictest teachings on non-violence toward animals. Jains believe in minimizing harm to all living beings, to the extent that they often avoid stepping on insects or disturbing animals in any way. This dedication to non-harming is one of the earliest, clearest examples of animal welfare in human history.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: These Abrahamic religions also include elements of animal compassion. The Hebrew Bible includes guidance on treating animals with respect, and Christian teachings encourage care and kindness toward animals as part of God’s creation. In Islam, the Quran advises treating animals with mercy and kindness, and there are numerous hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) that promote compassion toward animals.
Philosophical Ideas About Animal Rights and Welfare
Philosophers in ancient Greece and Rome also shared ideas on how animals should be treated:
Pythagoras: Known for his mathematical discoveries, Pythagoras was also one of the earliest advocates for animal kindness in the West. He believed that animals had souls and should be respected, and he encouraged his followers to treat them well.
Plutarch and Theophrastus: These philosophers also voiced concerns about animal welfare. Plutarch, for example, questioned the morality of eating animals and harming them, and Theophrastus argued that animals could suffer and feel emotions, suggesting that humans should avoid cruelty toward them.
Aristotle: However, not everyone shared these views. Aristotle argued that animals were naturally inferior to humans and existed to serve human needs, a perspective that shaped Western thought for centuries and provided a basis for justifying the exploitation of animals.
The Emergence of Modern Animal Welfare: 17th-19th Centuries
As society shifted toward urbanization and industrialization, people started to notice the harsher conditions faced by animals used for work, food, and entertainment. The idea of formally protecting animals emerged as early as the 1600s in Europe:
First Legal Protections for Animals
The Puritan Influence: The Puritans in England and later in the American colonies viewed cruelty to animals as morally wrong. This led to some early protections, but these were often limited to animals in specific roles, like working animals.
Martin’s Act: The first real animal welfare law, passed in Britain in 1822, was known as “Martin’s Act.” Named after Richard Martin, a Member of Parliament, this law made it illegal to abuse cattle, horses, and sheep, marking the first formal attempt to protect animals under the law.
Founding of the First Animal Welfare Organizations
With Martin’s Act as a foundation, organized animal welfare really began to take shape:
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): Founded in 1824, just two years after Martin’s Act, the RSPCA is widely regarded as the first animal welfare organization. The RSPCA fought to enforce laws protecting animals and raised public awareness about humane treatment.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): In 1866, inspired by the RSPCA, the ASPCA was established in New York City by Henry Bergh. It advocated for improved treatment of animals and laid the groundwork for future animal welfare efforts across the United States.
The Rise of Animal Welfare as a Global Movement: 20th Century
In the 20th century, the animal welfare movement gained momentum as new research emerged on animal behavior and the effects of different environments on their health and well-being. Public awareness grew, as did the push for stronger legal protections:
Important Developments in Animal Welfare Science
The Rise of Animal Sentience Research: In the mid-20th century, scientists began to study animal sentience more thoroughly, discovering that animals can feel pain, stress, and even complex emotions. These findings confirmed what advocates had long believed and provided a strong basis for further protections.
The “Five Freedoms”: In 1965, the UK introduced the idea of the “Five Freedoms,” which became a guiding principle in animal welfare. These freedoms are:
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
Freedom to express normal behavior
Freedom from fear and distress
The Five Freedoms have been adopted worldwide, especially in settings like farms, zoos, and research facilities, as they outline the minimum standards for humane animal treatment.
Expanding Laws and Organizations
The 20th century saw a wave of new organizations and legislation aimed at improving animal welfare worldwide. Key examples include:
The Humane Society of the United States: Founded in 1954, the Humane Society expanded the focus beyond pets, addressing issues like wildlife conservation, factory farming, and animal testing.
Animal Welfare Act (1966): In the U.S., the Animal Welfare Act provided legal protections for animals in research, exhibition, and transport. It was the first federal law in the country to regulate the treatment of animals.
International Focus: By the 1970s, animal welfare had become a global concern, with the creation of international organizations like the World Animal Protection and Compassion in World Farming. These groups helped to raise awareness about animal suffering in various industries and encouraged humane practices worldwide.
Animal Welfare Today
Today, animal welfare encompasses a wide range of issues, from protecting pets and stopping wildlife exploitation to addressing concerns in industries that involve animals, like farming and testing. Here are some recent developments and trends:
Public Awareness and Advocacy: Social media has greatly expanded animal welfare awareness, enabling people to see animal conditions in real time, support causes, and push for better protections.
Improved Standards and Certifications: Many industries now adopt humane standards and certifications, like “cage-free” eggs or “cruelty-free” cosmetics, in response to consumer demand for ethical practices.
Laws and Regulations: Countries around the world continue to strengthen their animal welfare laws. The European Union, for example, has banned animal testing for cosmetics and set strict standards for farm animal treatment.
Why Animal Welfare Matters
Animal welfare matters because animals are a significant part of our ecosystem, our economies, and often our lives. Recognizing and respecting their needs is essential to creating a humane and sustainable world. By understanding how the animal welfare movement developed, we can see the ongoing importance of this work and continue to push for better protections for animals everywhere.
As society continues to evolve, so does our responsibility to ensure that animals are treated with the care, respect, and protection they deserve.
