Timeline of animal welfare and rights

Abstract

Several philosophies and religious traditions have spoken out against animal cruelty since ancient times, but animal welfare laws began only in the 19th century. European countries and the United States implemented the first such laws, which critics argue failed to protect most animals from abuse on industrial and research farms. From the 1960s onwards, books, documentaries, and news coverage triggered a rise in the animal rights movement and a backlash from farmers and industries that exploited animals. Since the late 20th century, the movement has led to debates over animal sentience, greater awareness of the harms of animal agriculture, and calls for veganism as a solution to these issues. – AI-generated abstract.