Animal welfare refers to the physical and psychological well-being of animals, encompassing their living conditions, health, and treatment. It focuses on ensuring that animals are treated humanely and with respect, minimizing their suffering and promoting their quality of life. Animal rights, on the other hand, take a more philosophical approach, arguing that animals have inherent rights and interests that should be protected, similar to those of humans.
The publication of Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation (1975) changed everything. Singer, a utilitarian philosopher, didn’t use the language of "rights" per se, but he argued that ignoring animal suffering because they aren’t human is "speciesism"—a prejudice as irrational as racism. This sparked the modern animal rights movement, led by groups like PETA (founded 1980) and the Animal Liberation Front. Animal welfare refers to the physical and psychological