The movement emerged first. In 1822, British Parliament passed Martin’s Act, preventing the "cruel and improper treatment of cattle." This was followed by the founding of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in 1824. The goal was not to free animals from ownership, but to mitigate their suffering within the system of human use.

The scale of industrial agriculture makes maintaining individual welfare difficult, leading to debates over "ag-gag" laws and environmental impact.

: A philosophical and legal approach asserting that animals have inherent rights that should not be violated by humans. This perspective often rejects the "utilization" of animals entirely, advocating for their right to life, freedom from exploitation, and self-determination. 2. Ethical Frameworks

Animal welfare is the philosophy that animals should be treated humanely and free from unnecessary suffering, even if they are ultimately used for human purposes . It accepts the human use of animals (for food, science, entertainment, etc.) but insists that this use must be accompanied by rigorous standards of care.