Here’s an article that explains it well: https://myethicalchoice.com/en/journal/animal-welfare/animal-rights-vs-animal-welfare/#:~:text=Animal%20welfare%20is%20a%20pro,entertainment%2C%20experiments%2C%20and%20others.
So, in short, according to this article, animal welfare refers to the responsibility of humans to take care of their animals. They’re responsible for the animal’s physical and mental needs. Simply put, they need to make sure the animal is healthy, comfortable, and not suffering from pain, fear, or distress. Another book I’ve read also states that ensuring animals are treated humanely at the slaughterhouses also come under “animal welfare”. So, animal welfare permits the use of animals for the benefit of humans.
Animal rights, on the other hand, forbids the use of animals. They state that animals shouldn’t be treated as things because they have the right, animal rights, to be free from human use.
However, the two terms should not be used interchangeably.
The article explains:
People shouldn’t use the terms “animal rights” and “animal welfare” interchangeably because they’re not the same. Although both philosophies care about animals, they have different goals:
- Animal welfare is a pro-ownership philosophy, while animal rights activists believe that humans shouldn’t own animals.
- Animal welfare supporters believe that humans can use animals for food, companionship, clothing, entertainment, experiments, and others. On the contrary, animal rights supporters state that using conscious beings is a form of exploitation and it’s morally wrong.
- Animal welfare supporters seek to eradicate or reduce the suffering of animals and guarantee them a healthy and happy life. In contrast, animal rights activists state that treating them well isn’t enough.
What are the Five Freedoms for animal welfare?
The Five Freedoms
The Five Freedoms are standards of care that people must follow to meet the physical and mental needs of the animals under their care. These principles are key to guarantee animal welfare:
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst: Each animal must have access to fresh water and a diet appropriate for the species and its health condition.
- Freedom from Discomfort: The owner must provide the animal with a comfortable shelter and resting area.
- Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease: The owner should check the animal to prevent and treat diseases.
- Freedom to Express Normal Behavior: The animal should have enough space and live in similar conditions to its natural habitat.
- Freedom from Fear and Distress: The animal should live free from pain, fear, stress, and suffering.
So if we were to split hairs, is AnimalCare into animal welfare or animal rights? Well, we are more inclined towards animal rights, but we recognise that sometimes to save street animals, we have to “own” them, ie. bring them into our homes which may restrict their natural behaviour.
So we actually prefer a simpler term: Animal Protection. We advocate taking care of street animals, getting them neutered and vaccinated. We feed shelter animals when we have access funds. We advocate using cruelty-free products. And we definitely advocate eating less meat.
