The difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

Animal welfare is a philosophical approach which accepts some uses of animals by humans, provided negative welfare is minimised and opportunities for positive welfare are maximised. An animal welfare approach favours evidence-based, continuous improvements to improve welfare of animals. For example, advocating for farming systems that provide animals with a Good Life, where their physical, health and behavioural needs are met.

Animal rights is a philosophical approach that argues that animals have rights, in particular the right to live without being used and interfered with by humans. Animal rights seeks the elimination of all animal use by humans, for example by advocating for an end to animal farming.

Although some people find themselves agreeing strongly with either animal welfare or animal rights philosophies, many people hold a blend of both philosophies. People may find their views more aligned with either rights or welfare depending on the type of animal or the way in which animals are being used. For example, keeping animals as pets versus farming animals.

In terms of advocacy, some organisations support an animal rights approach, while others follow an animal welfare approach.

As New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare organisation, SPCA has been advocating to improve the lives of animals for more than 150 years. We advocate for welfare improvements for all animals in New Zealand whether they are wild, farmed, kept as companions, or used for sport, work, or in research testing and teaching.

At SPCA we use an evidence-based approach, which considers both animal welfare science and international best practice, to inform our advocacy positions and actions. We consider it important to not only look at the factors impacting an animal’s physical health but also how the animal feels.

The importance SPCA places on considering an animal’s feelings is reflected in our use of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare as a framework across our SPCA Certified standards, Kid's Portal, and advocacy. The Five Domains Model considers an animal’s welfare by looking at the four physical domains (nutrition, physical environment, health, and behavioural interactions) and how each of these impacts how an animal feels (their mental state). Use of this model allows us to go beyond minimising suffering to look at ways in which opportunities for positive welfare can be maximised.

SPCA also believes that it is important to consider the connection between animal welfare, human wellbeing, and environmental conservation, an approach known as One Welfare. For example, farmer’s mental health is closely tied to the welfare of the animals they care for and some intensive farming practices have both negative animal welfare and environmental consequences. SPCA believes in a holistic approach and collaborating with other organisations to work together towards shared goals wherever possible.

SPCA believes that strong animal welfare standards are good for animals, farmers, consumers, and the environment. The reputation of New Zealand’s farming sector is important, and animal welfare is an essential part of the conversation.

SPCA advocates for continuous improvement in farmed animal welfare through advocacy, consumer education, and our SPCA Certified programme. SPCA respects that some of our supporters consume animal products while others choose not to. We encourage people who consume animal products to make achievable changes to improve the lives of farmed animals, such as consuming fewer but higher welfare animal products.

SPCA is committed to always advocate for the welfare of all animals. Together we can raise the bar of animal welfare for farmed animals.