Animal Abuse Explained in Stats and What You Can Do to Help
Animals have been our companions and helpers, and we have relied on them for food and clothing, from time immemorial. However, they aren’t always treated as well as they deserve. As recently as the 20th century, many scientists argued that animals lacked consciousness and so couldn’t feel pain. And even today, debates continue about their ability to feel emotion.
But increasingly, research shows that animals do experience pain, as well as many emotions, and many countries have made significant progress in recognizing animals as sentient beings with rights that need to be protected. However, many industries, such as factory farming, wildlife trading, and research, still conduct practices that amount to abuse or neglect.
This piece examines what constitutes animal cruelty, traces key events in the evolution of animal rights, and highlights important statistics to help you understand the prevalence of animal abuse and its global impacts.
We also share actionable tips to help reduce animal suffering and list valuable resources for you to learn more about this issue. Throughout this article, we use the terms animal rights abuse, cruelty, and mistreatment interchangeably.
Understanding Animal Rights Abuse
Animal abuse happens in many forms and has a long history. In this section, we offer key definitions and a detailed timeline that provide important context for the rest of this article.
Definition of Animal Rights Abuse
Animal rights abuse (also known as animal cruelty) is the intentional or unintentional physical or psychological mistreatment of animals. Abuse violates an animal’s welfare rights by inflicting harm, pain, suffering, or death upon them.
Many local and national animal welfare laws prohibit causing unjustified injury or distress to animals and require owners to care for their animals’ basic needs.
Physical Abuse:
Intentional physical violence that causes pain, suffering, or death
Examples include beating, kicking, dragging, choking, throwing, and mutilating
Sexual violence and cosmetic practices like ear-cropping and tail-docking are also physical abuse
Psychological Abuse:
Emotional harm that causes suffering, fear, or distress to an animal
Examples include neglecting an animal's emotional needs, like companionship, safety, and stimulation
More overt forms of emotional abuse, like taunting, terrorizing, and overpressuring, are also included
Psychologically abused animals can exhibit symptoms indicative of trauma, anxiety, and depression, among other disorders
Neglect:
Failure to meet an animal’s basic needs
Examples include failure to provide adequate water, food, sanitation, exercise, veterinary care, and a healthy living environment
Owners may unintentionally neglect their animals through lack of knowledge or access to resources
Animal abandonment is an intentional form of neglect in which animals are deserted and left to fend for themselves, often in remote areas
Hoarding:
Neglect that occurs when an owner hoards too many animals
Signs include overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which can impact access to other basic needs
Effects include sickness, injury, starvation, and death in animals
Animal hoarding may be a manifestation of a hoarding disorder
Animal Experimentation:
Research using animals in laboratories, which often causes them pain, distress, or death
Examples include testing chemicals, cosmetics, and drugs on animals
Tests can include force-feeding, toxic gases, physical restraint, and surgery
Animals are often killed following tests to examine their organs and tissues
Ethical concerns include the fact that 90% of drugs tested on animals fail in human trials
Human Predation:
The killing, capturing, or hunting of animals for animal products, economic resources, sport, or other reasons
Industrial examples include exploitative and cruel food production practices, like factory farming, overfishing, and fur farming
Other examples include trophy hunting and poaching animals for illegal trade
Animal Exploitation:
Misuse of animals for humans’ own purposes or entertainment
Exploitation often involves removing wild animals from their natural habitat and keeping them in captivity
Examples include confining wild animals in zoos, aquariums, and circuses, where they’re often neglected and abused
Less obvious forms, like dressing up pets or keeping exotic animals, are also included
A History of Animal Rights and Animal Cruelty
A Timeline of Animal Rights and Cruelty | ||
Date | Event | Description |
c. 900 BCE | Ahiṃsā | The first evidence of ahiṃsā, the ethical principle of nonviolence that extends to animals, emerges from the late Vedic period. |
c. 600–300 BCE | Pythagoras’ views vs. Aristotle’s | Pythagoras believes animals share the same souls as humans and should be treated equally. Aristotle later argues that animals are inferior to humans and were created to serve our needs. |
c. 300 BCE–600 AD | Romans’ use of animals | Romans keep animals for work and as pets. But they also exploit exotic animals for public entertainment, for example, in colosseums. |
c. 1600–1700 | Views on animal sentience emerge | While Descartes argues that animals are mindless and don’t feel pain, many Enlightenment thinkers, most notably Jeremy Bentham, begin to argue for animal sentience. |
1635 | An Act against Plowing by the Tayle | Irish parliament passes an act that prohibits the use of a horse’s tail to pull a plow, and plucking live sheep’s fur by hand. Many people consider this to be the first animal cruelty law, though the motivations behind drafting the act are unclear. |
1822 | The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act | UK Parliament passes the first major animal welfare law, prohibiting the “cruel and improper treatment” of cattle and horses. |
1824 | The SPCA is formed | Richard Martin — pivotal in campaigning for the Cattle Act — founds the “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” to enforce these protections. The organization would later become the RSPCA. |
1860 | The Battersea Dogs’ Home is established | Mary Tealby creates a shelter for stray dogs, becoming the first woman to found a British animal welfare organization. |
1866 | The ASPCA is formed | Henry Bergh founds the first American animal welfare organization, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Hundreds more US anti-cruelty organizations would be established by 1900. |
1875 | The NAVS is established | The National Anti-Vivisection Society is formed by Frances Power Cobbe amid growing public concern over animal experimentation. |
1898 | The BUAV is established | Cobbe breaks away to form the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (now known as Cruelty Free). BUAV campaigns for the abolition of vivisection, rather than adopting the regulatory approach of NAVS. |
1906 | The Brown Dog Affair | Two Swedish activists whistleblow on vivisections at University College London, particularly that of a brown dog. A statue of the dog and its inscription would later cause riots in London. |
1944 | Foundation of the Vegan Society | Donald Watson, an English animal rights advocate, establishes the Vegan Society — the first organization of its kind. The society’s founding is celebrated annually on World Vegan Day. |
1951–54 | The AWI and HSUS are formed | The Animal Welfare Institute is formed in 1951, and the Humane Society of the United States is established in 1954. Both organizations lead a post-war revival in the animal rights movement. |
1958 | The Humane Slaughter Act | The first federal US animal welfare regulation establishes more humane methods for the slaughter of livestock. |
1964 | Animal Machines is published | Ruth Harrison publishes Animal Machines, revealing the shocking reality of factory farming to an outraged British public. Lawmakers are forced to investigate. |
1966 | The Animal Welfare Act | The US Animal Welfare Act sets standards for the treatment of animals in research, exhibitions, transportation, and by dealers. |
1967 | Compassion in World Farming is founded | Peter Roberts forms Compassion in World Farming, though farm animals continue to be exploited through the 70s with little help from lawmakers. |
1975 | Animal Liberation is published | Peter Singer’s influential non-fiction book introduces “speciesism,” the bias of prioritizing human interests over those of other animals. Singer argues that animals’ suffering requires equal moral consideration to that of humans. |
1976 | The Question of Animal Awareness is published | US biologist Donald Griffin urges the scientific community to consider that animals are sentient. Griffins’ work helps legitimize and progress the study of animal consciousness. |
1976 | Law on the Protection of Nature | A pioneering law in France designates certain animals, including pets and livestock, as sentient. |
1980 | PETA is founded | Activists Alex Pacheco and Ingrid Newkirk create People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. |
1980 | Eurogroup for Animals is founded | The RSPCA unites European animal welfare NGOs to help tackle EU-wide issues and initiatives. |
1981 | Silver spring monkeys scandal | A PETA investigation uncovers the neglect and torture of 17 macaques in a Maryland laboratory. After a decade-long legal battle, researcher Edward Taub is convicted. |
1985–86 | Fur trade protests | Nonviolent activists stand against the fur trade. Coordinated protests at Macy's in 1985 and 1986 lead to the creation of Fur Free Friday, a global anti-fur protest that takes place every Black Friday. |
1989–1990s | Major brands stop animal testing | Under pressure from campaigners, brands like Avon (1989), Revlon (1990), and GM (1993) discontinue their animal testing programs. |
1997 | The Treaty of Amsterdam | The EU recognizes animal sentience, requiring member states to “pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals.” |
1998 | UK ban on cosmetics testing | The UK bans the testing of cosmetic products and ingredients on animals — the first country to do so. The ban wasn’t signed into law, however, but enacted via policy changes under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act. |
2000–2020s | Fur farming is phased out | The UK bans fur farming in 2000 and similar bans throughout Europe follow over the next 20 years. Between 2018–2023, the number of fur farms in the EU declined from 4350 to 1088. |
Mid-2000s | Global animal welfare organizations grow | Coalitions help to push the growth and professionalization of animal welfare organizations in regions beyond the West. For example, India's Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) unites over 200 groups. The Philippines’ Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) is founded in 2006, followed by the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA) in 2010. |
2005 | The Hunting Act | The UK’s Hunting Act restricts cruel practices like hunting wild animals with dogs and hare coursing. |
2006 | The Animal Welfare Act | The UK modernizes its animal rights legislation, outlining owners’ duty of care for meeting animals’ needs and providing authorities with the power to seize animals in distress. |
2009 | Law 4040 | Bolivia becomes the first nation to ban the use of animals — both wild and domestic — in circuses and traveling shows. Other nations would later follow. |
2019 | The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act | The US introduces federal laws protecting animals from extreme cruelty, including crushing, burning, and impaling. Penalties for committing these crimes include jail terms of up to 7 years and fines of up to $250,000. |
2022–Present | Laws about animal sentience | Many countries continue to strengthen their animal cruelty legislation. For example, recent laws in the UK (2022), Spain (2021), New Zealand (2015), and elsewhere, provide more comprehensive recognition of animals’ sentience. |
Sources: Treehugger, World Animal Net, Animal Charity Evaluators, La Fondation Droit Animal, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, NIH, AWI, HSUS, WellBeing International, CIWF, RU Press, WAP, Eurogroup for Animals, PETA, LCA, ECBC, Cruelty Free International, Four Paws International, FIAPO, AWC, PAAWA, The Hunting Act, legislation.gov.uk, ADI, EG Eisner Gorin LLP | ||
While humans likely shared bonds with animals long before, Ahiṃsā (c. 900 BCE) — the concept of nonviolence — provides some of the earliest evidence of human kindness to animals.
Western philosophers have often viewed animals with far less benevolence. Aristotle argued that animals lack reason and are subservient to humans. Early Enlightenment philosopher René Descartes believed that animals are mindless, soulless, and don’t feel pain.
Jeremy Bentham’s work in the 16th Century is often cited as a turning point in Western thought. Bentham argued that animal sentience — their capability to feel emotions and suffering — demanded moral consideration, rather than their capacity to reason.
Animal Rights progressed rapidly throughout the 19th century. In 1822, Britain passed the first major law regarding animal cruelty. By 1900, hundreds of animal rights organizations had been created throughout the UK and the US.
Since World War II, the movement’s progress has been characterized by its professionalization and modernization. High-profile NGOs have fought against animal suffering in factory farms, research, and entertainment. Legislation continues to be updated. And the movement has spread worldwide.
#1: Nearly 10 Million Animals Die from Abuse Annually in the US
In the US alone, roughly 10 million animals die from abuse each year. Animals that survive abuse often show obvious physical signs such as malnutrition, dehydration, or injuries that can cause infections or lead to disease.
In addition, animals can show signs of suffering psychological trauma. For example, research shows that, compared to companion dogs, abused dogs are more likely to show abnormal behaviors such as persistent barking, over attachment, and repeated soiling. Abused animals can also learn to see humans or other animals as threats and become aggressive or anxious.
Both physical and mental impacts can last for years, making adoption and socialization much harder even after medical treatment or rehabilitation.
#2: Animal Abuse Is Rampant in Certain Industries
Animal cruelty is, unfortunately, not a consideration in many industries, for example, meat and poultry. While over 90% of animals in the global supply chain are factory farmed, livestock are often confined in tiny living spaces, injected with chemicals and growth hormones, or subjected to medical procedures without pain relief.
In research, the way lab animals are handled — by scientists, technicians, and caretakers — can be inhumane. The animals are sometimes taken from their mothers at birth, force-fed chemicals to study the effects, or deliberately injured to study diseases and treatments.
Although this is done in the name of progress, successful animal experiments often don’t translate to successful treatments for humans. For example, scientists have cured certain cancers in mice but haven't been able to replicate a cure for humans.
Industrial fishing gear and nets also trap sea animals accidentally (known as bycatch), either maiming or killing them. Each year, approximately 650,000 marine mammals are unintentionally caught as bycatch. And at least half a million wild animals are forced to perform in tourist attractions, where they may undergo strict training and live in deplorable conditions for the sake of entertainment.
#3: Wildlife Trafficking, Farming, and Overfishing Driving Biodiversity Loss
Animal abuse directly endangers species and disrupts food chains, contributing to declining biodiversity. An ecosystem with a decline in, or loss of, biological diversity can no longer provide crucial resources such as fresh water, clean air, and fertile soil, and is less resilient to threats like climate change, pollution, or natural disasters.
Between 2015 and 2021, four out of five illegal trade seizures involved threatened or endangered animals and plants. Authorities estimate the illegal wildlife trade is worth about $23 billion a year and involves 100 million trafficked plants and animals.
The global food supply chain is also causing deforestation and driving biodiversity loss. Roughly 41% of global deforestation is linked to beef production, displacing wild animals to make way for farmers to produce feed for cattle and provide land for grazing.
Globally, overfishing is also a major problem. Overfishing happens when people catch fish faster than they can reproduce, which reduces fish populations and harms the balance of the aquatic food chain. Already, a quarter of freshwater species are facing extinction. Fishing activities also destroy habitats, cause pollution, and kill unintended marine life.
#4: 75% of Known Zoonotic Viruses Emerged from Wildlife Trades
Through close contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids — such as blood, respiratory droplets, and waste — people can catch diseases (called zoonotic diseases). One of the most common ways this happens is through wildlife trading. Research shows that 26.5% of the mammal species that are traded carry 75% of known zoonotic viruses.
Other common origins of zoonotic diseases are factory farms and live animal markets. Some factories or markets house domestic and wild animals in tiny enclosures with unsanitary conditions. These animals experience chronic stress, which lowers immunity and enables viruses to jump between species and spread.
The COVID-19 virus is one example. Scientists believe that the virus originated from bats and jumped to an intermediate host (possibly pangolins) in a wet market in Wuhan, China, before infecting people.
#5: Taxpayers Are Paying $2 Billion a Year to Deal with Stray Animals
6–8 million dogs and cats are put in shelters every year, and US taxpayers are paying $2 billion annually to deal with stray animals. More than a third of the annual budget of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)goes toward shelter and veterinary services.
Sheltering and caring for abandoned or abused animals is costly. Expenses include medical treatment, vaccinations, medication, and food. Shelters must also cover ongoing costs like rent, staff, and utilities.
Furthermore, authorities could easily seize hundreds of animals in exploitation cases involving puppy mills and illegal animal fighting dens. However, this would overwhelm the budget of local shelters and enforcement authorities. Court cases also add legal costs on top of shelter costs.
#6: Animal Abusers Are Likely Male, Young, and from Lower Socioeconomic Backgrounds
Several studies show that animal abusers are more likely to be male, under 30 years old, and have fathers who didn’t finish high school or mothers in blue-collar jobs.
Research shows that animal abuse is often tied to masculinity, where men exert power and control through force and threats. Similarly, wildlife crimes like poaching involve stereotypical male traits such as aggression and risk-taking.
Perpetrators also tend to be younger, and there may be several reasons for this. For example, children who grew up with domestic violence are more likely to be cruel to animals. Teenagers, on the other hand, may be seeking approval from peers to prove their masculinity. One study showed that minors were more likely to abuse animals in the presence of others, while adults were more likely to do it alone.
#7: 70% of People Arrested for Abusing Animals Had Criminal Records
Animal abusers are likely culpable of other crimes. The majority of people arrested for animal abuse had prior arrests (85%) and felonies (70%). Seven in ten people charged with animal abuse have also been reported for violent acts such as murder.
Many studies have linked animal abuse cases with domestic violence cases. Up to 89% of domestic abuse survivors said their abusers had also been violent with their pets. And the majority of families investigated for child abuse had reports of animal cruelty.
A hostile or violent home environment can affect children, and some kids in these environments go on to hurt animals. Animals are likely the easiest targets because they are smaller and voiceless. Research shows that children who abuse animals are more likely to commit violence against people close to them later in life.
#8: Antisocial Behaviors, Alcohol, and Nicotine Dependence Linked to Animal Abuse
An extensive study of over 43,000 American adults found that more than a third of people who abused animals also have antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and around half have a family history of antisocial behaviors.
ASPD is characterized by persistent patterns of impulsivity, aggression, recklessness, deceit, and a lack of empathy or remorse for others. A separate study, this one focused on inmates, found that nearly two-thirds abused animals for fun — traits consistent with ASPD. People who were abused or neglected during childhood have a higher risk of developing antisocial behaviors.
Alcohol is another factor; 64% of people accused of animal abuse also have an alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking can lower impulse control and increase aggression in some people, increasing the risk of animal abuse. Pet neglect can also occur when a person is prioritizing alcohol over pets.
#9: Culture Can Influence People’s Attitudes Toward Animals
In cultures in which aggression toward, or mistreatment of, animals is common or even legalized, people are more likely to view acts of animal cruelty as "normal."
For example, Romania has a stray dog overpopulation, an issue that began during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu. Before the 90s, many citizens were forced to move from their countryside homes into small apartments to support rapid industrialization, and many abandoned their pets.
In 2013, the government approved a controversial law that allowed the capture and killing of stray dogs, if unclaimed within 14 days, to control the overpopulation. Subsequent research found that 86% of Romanian teens thought it was “normal” for stray animals to be abused or killed.
Meanwhile, bullfighting is a contentious tradition in Spain and parts of Portugal and Mexico. Although interest in the tradition has waned, it’s still legal in most regions. Bulls experience stress and pain before and during a fight, and around 180,000 are killed globally from fights, according to the Humane World for Animals.
#10: 71% of Pet Owners Who Skipped Basic Veterinary Care Said They Couldn’t Afford It
Neglect is a form of animal cruelty, but it isn’t always malicious. 52% of owners skipped essential veterinary care for their pets, and the main reason was that they couldn’t afford it. However, caring for pets requires more than money; it also requires access to nearby veterinary care and other pet services such as grooming and training.
Vet services are often scarce in low-income areas. Private clinics rarely open in areas where returning a profit is difficult. For example, one study found that while 25% of Chicago’s residents live in a low-income area, only 7% of the city’s pet care services are located there.
And in rural areas, pet owners often need to drive inconvenient distances to get to the nearest vet, adding to their pet care costs.
#11: 86% of Countries Don’t Have Adequate Animal Welfare Laws
In a study of 92 countries, only 14% have laws that fully meet the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) animal-welfare standards. 66% don’t have laws that meet the standards, while 17% are unknown. Australia and the US are only partially meeting OIE standards.
None of the countries reviewed in Africa, the Middle East, or Asia have laws that meet OIE standards, which cover five domains: nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state.
Nevertheless, several countries have made significant legislative progress. 6 EU countries, including Belgium and Germany, have constitutional protection for animals.
The UK enacted one of the earliest laws that recognized animal rights when it banned cattle abuse through the 1822 Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act. The 1911 Protection of Animals Act went further, providing a general protection for animals.
In 2022, the country passed the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act that recognized vertebrate animals and some invertebrates as sentient beings.
#12: Animal Rights Campaigns Can Achieve Lasting Impacts
Animal rights groups have driven lasting positive change worldwide.
One success story includes the efforts of World Animal Protection and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in conjunction with the Vietnamese government, to reduce bear bile farming. Bear bile is used in traditional medicine, and the animals are often kept in poor conditions and the extraction process is considered painful. The practice declined by 95% between 2005 and 2024.
And in 2013, the European Union (EU) banned the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals after a years-long campaign from Cruelty Free International and other NGOs.
The Protection of Animals Act, passed in the UK in 1911, was the result of similar efforts by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and was one of the earliest animal rights laws in the country.
In the US, the century-old ASPCA is instrumental in the Goldie Act, a bill to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities. The organization also facilitates the rescue and relocation of stray animals nationwide and has led numerous animal rescue efforts during natural disasters.
#13: Technology Can Deter Poachers and Assist Conservation Projects
Anti-poaching operations are more efficient today thanks to the use of technologies like drones and GPS tracking.
Drones with thermal imaging cameras enable rangers to detect poachers at night, when most poaching activities occur, and to monitor hard-to-reach areas with dense vegetation. In Kenya’s Mara Elephant project, the number of elephants killed dropped by 39 percentage points from the use of drones.
Meanwhile, GPS technologies help authorities study migratory routes and animal habits in conservation projects. Authorities can use this information to allocate appropriate resources and implement protective measures to conserve the animals and their habitats. The use of GPS trackers led to a 25% fall in poaching activities in African regions that use them.
Additionally, data analytics help reveal poaching patterns and trafficking routes, facial-recognition software can identify suspects, and mobile apps allow the public to report suspicious activities.
#14: 91% of People Agree That Animal Welfare Education in School Is Valuable
Education is instrumental in teaching children how to protect animals and understand the impact of their actions. While most UK adults agree that animal welfare education is worthwhile, less than a third agree that improving such education in schools is important.
At the same time, kids are increasingly turning to social media for information, and it has become a powerful tool for raising public awareness. However, social media can be a double-edged sword.
In a 2024 study by the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC), Facebook hosted the majority (87.5%) of reported content suspected of animal cruelty. Worryingly, an analysis of a separate dataset found that Meta only removed 36.3% of the content containing animal abuse.
What You Can Do to Help Stop Animal Abuse
Although animal abuse has been normalized in many industries, you can still make a difference. The choices you make and the actions you take when you encounter abuse can promote a kinder world for animals, and we’ve listed these steps to help you start.
Adopt Your Pet Rather Than Using Breeders or Puppy Mills
When it comes to picking a pet, consider adopting a rescue rather than shopping for an animal from a breeder. Puppy mills or puppy factories are known to treat dogs poorly to churn a quick profit. An estimated 10,000 puppy mills are active in the US, and half a million dogs are held captive for breeding.
While not all breeders are bad, adopting rescue animals saves two lives: your new pet and the one taking the freed-up space in the shelter. Adoption also reduces the demand that enables unethical breeding practices.
Care Responsibly for Animals
Pet owners need to be aware of their responsibilities. Beyond basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and vet care, pets also require your time, affection, and the freedom to express their natural behaviors.
Dogs, for example, require companionship and regular play, while cats benefit from activities that stimulate their hunting instincts. Even a goldfish needs the right tankmates, and you should avoid housing them with more aggressive species like cichlids.
Other animals that you encounter also deserve respect. If you come across an injured, distressed, or neglected animal, act promptly and responsibly by contacting the authorities and providing basic care if necessary.
Choose Products That Prioritize Animal Welfare
The food, clothing, and cosmetics you choose can support better animal welfare.
People who eat meat can opt for higher-welfare choices, where the animals are raised humanely. Go for free-range or cage-free chickens or eggs and pasture-raised beef. The ASPCA recommends three certification labels that prioritize better living standards for farmed animals: Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, and Global Animal Partnership.
Many brands under conglomerates like Unilever and Procter & Gamble still conduct testing on animals. Switch to cruelty-free brands instead and look for products with the Leaping Bunny logo. For clothing, avoid fur and look for natural materials that aren’t derived from animals, such as hemp or leather made from mushrooms.
Speak Up and Act Against Animal Abuse
Speak up and act when you witness animal cruelty. Obvious signs of abuse include harsh training methods or animals that are constantly chained. Neglect may show as malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, or untreated injuries.
If you suspect abuse, consider reporting it to your local animal control authority or animal rights group. Alternatively, you can dial 911 if you live in areas where the police work closely with animal protection authorities.
Gather as much evidence as possible and follow up with authorities if no action has been taken. The life you save can shield others from pain, as animal abusers are also more likely to be dangerous to other people.
Report Animal Cruelty Content on Social Media
Animal cruelty content is easy to spot on social media. But content that’s exploiting animals for clicks might be a little harder to recognize.
One study has shown that some of these seemingly harmless videos, such as animal rescues and hunting videos, are staged for likes and monetary gain. Content showcasing wildlife being handled for entertainment can be stressful for the animals, can teach them bad or even dangerous habits, and could involve abuse.
If you come across such videos, don’t engage further and report them immediately. While reporting doesn’t guarantee that moderators will remove it, more reports will increase the chance that something will be done.
Educate Yourself About the Issue and Teach Others
Stay informed about animal rights issues by following the latest news and learning about the types of animal abuse, their causes, impacts, and how you can help prevent them. In the following section, we list several books and documentaries for further learning.
Another way to make a difference is by advocating for animal welfare. Start by talking with friends or family, or finding like-minded people. If you have kids, teach them the right way to treat animals and what to do when they suspect an animal is being abused. By modeling kindness yourself, you can instill compassion for animals from a young age.
Be Socially and Politically Active
You can take a stand by joining animal rights organizations, marching in peaceful protests, or raising awareness on animal abuse cases, especially on social media.
As an advocate, you can also rally for legislative changes on issues you believe in. Write or speak to your local political representatives, sign petitions, and collaborate with other organizations to initiate a movement.
One successful movement is the “Fur Free Europe” campaign, a European Citizens’ Initiative to ban fur farms and the sale of their products in the EU. The petition had garnered over 1.7 million verified signatures, prompting the EU Commission to respond and consider banning fur farms.
Donate to Animal Charities
Most animal charity programs, welfare organizations, and animal shelters rely on donors to operate. Donating is one of the best ways to support animal causes, provided you choose the right organization. Do your research and pick a registered, reputable company or shelter that’s transparent about how it spends its funds.
Additionally, you can donate your time by volunteering. For example, the North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) relies on many volunteers to foster rescues and help in shelters. The NSALA is one of the biggest no-kill rescue organizations and has rescued over 1.2 million animals.
Essential Books and Documentaries to Educate Yourself on Animal Welfare
A number of influential books and documentaries have highlighted the complex relationship between humans and animals. These highly acclaimed resources can help you learn more about animal lives and the stark realities of how they are treated.
The Bottom Line
Despite progress in animal rights, abuse is still prevalent. While some countries provide constitutional protection for animals, most still lack adequate legislation.
Research shows that domestic animal cruelty is often linked to ASPD, alcohol, or nicotine overuse. Abusers are also more likely to have prior arrests or felonies. Studies further show that children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to abuse animals.
Systemic animal cruelty has consequences that are far-reaching and impact our health and economies, as well as the biodiversity our ecosystems need.
You can make a difference by choosing cruelty-free products, caring for your pets responsibly, supporting animal welfare organizations, and speaking out against the abuse you see. These small, collective actions built over time can help create a kinder world for animals.
