Thinking Intelligently About Animal Agriculture What is the difference between animal rights and animal welfare?
Bell Work In your journals, respond to the prompt: “Do you think animal rights and animal welfare are different? Why or why not?”
What do you think? Share your responses from bell work. Yes, there is a difference. So how do you define animal rights and animal welfare?
And now, from the experts… Animal rights, as defined by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (largest animal rights organization in the world) –“ People who support animal rights believe that animals are not ours to use for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, or any other purpose and that animals deserve consideration of their best interests regardless … regardless of whether any human cares about them at all. ”
On the flipside The American Veterinary Medical Association (on the website of the Animal Welfare Council) says: –“Animal Welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.”
So what does this mean? Which is more practical for livestock producers to strive for, animal rights or animal welfare?
Animal welfare is a necessity!
Flip Charts Each line will be a group. Your group will write actions that promote animal welfare. –Example: On the swine poster, you might write “Make sure pigs have enough water.”
Now put it together Within the same groups, generate a list of “Approved Practices” to ensure animal welfare.
Test your knowledge For your closing reflection, group the following statements into either the “Animal Rights” or “Animal Welfare” group. Record responses in your journal. Statements to categorize: –Providing enough feed and water to your cat. –Not eating meat because you think it is cruel to raise cows for food. –Releasing dogs from a shelter to keep them from being euthanized. –Calling your vet when you think your lamb is sick.