Executive summary: The animal welfare movement emerged in the 18th-19th centuries, overcoming initial challenges to establish animal cruelty as a legal and moral issue, and was closely linked with the early children’s rights movement.
Key points:
In the 1700s-1800s, society began shifting from viewing animals as objects to seeing them as beings deserving moral consideration, at least for some species like dogs and horses.
Early advocates like Richard Martin and Henry Bergh pushed for anti-cruelty legislation in Britain and the US, facing mockery and practical challenges but making gradual progress.
The British RSPCA and American ASPCA were key organizations in establishing the movement, boosted by endorsement from Queen Victoria and a large bequest to the ASPCA.
Initially, animal welfare was framed in terms of human morality and avoiding the disgust of witnessing cruelty. Advocates were often seen as sentimental busybodies.
The animal welfare and children’s rights movements were closely linked, as both challenged norms of owners’ total control over their animals or children.
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Executive summary: The animal welfare movement emerged in the 18th-19th centuries, overcoming initial challenges to establish animal cruelty as a legal and moral issue, and was closely linked with the early children’s rights movement.
Key points:
In the 1700s-1800s, society began shifting from viewing animals as objects to seeing them as beings deserving moral consideration, at least for some species like dogs and horses.
Early advocates like Richard Martin and Henry Bergh pushed for anti-cruelty legislation in Britain and the US, facing mockery and practical challenges but making gradual progress.
The British RSPCA and American ASPCA were key organizations in establishing the movement, boosted by endorsement from Queen Victoria and a large bequest to the ASPCA.
Initially, animal welfare was framed in terms of human morality and avoiding the disgust of witnessing cruelty. Advocates were often seen as sentimental busybodies.
The animal welfare and children’s rights movements were closely linked, as both challenged norms of owners’ total control over their animals or children.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.