International Animal Welfare Issues

The purpose of this section is to provide you with an overview of the issues affecting animals through the world.  This is not a simple task.  There are multiple areas of concern affecting animals, and each country has distinct laws, cultures and perspectives. Moreover, accurate and comprehensive information on a global scale is difficult to find.

In summarizing the many concerns affecting animals, the IAAN has attempted to provide objective information.  (We, too, have our beliefs which we summarize below.)  Our goal in presenting this information is to educate and increase awareness.  Because the information we present is very brief, we are providing links to other websites where you can obtain more information.  Since there is a wide spectrum of opinions and approaches to issues of animal welfare, please keep in mind that the IAAN does not take responsibility for the content, accuracy, or opinions expressed on these websites. 

There are three assumptions or beliefs that underlie our work as a group of organizations engaged in activities to benefit animals throughout the world.

Our first belief is that animals are sentient beings who are capable of experiencing pain and suffering.  In 1997 the concept of animal sentience was written into the basic law of the European Union.  The legally-binding protocol recognizes that animals are ‘sentient beings', and requires the EU and its members to ‘pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals'.  There is currently an initiative requesting the United Nations to adopt a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.  If adopted, this would achieve global recognition that animals are sentient beings.

Our second belief is that human well-being is inextricably linked to the welfare of animals. Human beings and animals are part of a complex system that connects all life on this planet.  As the list of species on the verge of extinction grows, societies throughout the world are realizing the loss of even a seemingly unimportant species can affect human well-being and livelihoods.  For example, approximately two-thirds of the crops in the world require visits by animal pollinators, such as honey bees, to set fruit and seed.

Finally, we believe that animal welfare is profoundly affected by the culture, human values and economies of human societies.  In developing countries, poverty, resource scarcity and education all factor into the way that animals are regarded and treated.  In some cultures, certain animals may be accorded holy status, while other species are subject to extreme indifference and neglect.  Economic systems and human values that place efficiency and profit above animal welfare lead to the inhumane practices found in factory farming.  Thus, animal welfare issues cannot be viewed in isolation from culture, values, and economic conditions-all of which affect how animals are perceived and treated.

If you have information that you think would be of value to our site visitors, please send us an email at info@internationalanimalnet.org.