article · Frontiers in Animal Science
Understanding local public attitudes is critical for designing successful animal welfare initiatives internationally. A survey of 4,291 members of the public across 14 culturally and geographically diverse nations investigated attitudes towards animals and their welfare. Participants across all surveyed countries generally agreed that the welfare of both farmed and companion animals matters to them, as do legal protections for animals. These results challenge common assumptions that people inevitably value companion animals over farmed species, or that concern for animal welfare is restricted to highly developed nations. In several countries, particularly those reliant on subsistence farming, animal utility and proximity through daily exposure proved more influential than companionship. Because notable variations exist between countries, the study provides country-specific contexts to support the design and implementation of localized animal welfare strategies.
Efforts to improve animal welfare often rely on broad assumptions that overlook local contexts. By showing that public concern for animal welfare is widespread across both developing and developed nations, this research highlights that local values, animal utility, and daily exposure strongly shape public sentiment. Recognising these cultural nuances enables organizations to tailor policies and welfare programmes more effectively to specific regional realities.
The abstract does not indicate a commercial application pathway or product development opportunity. Instead, the research offers early-stage sociological insights that could be used by international welfare organisations, policy planners, and regulatory bodies to design localized intervention strategies and legislative frameworks based on country-specific public attitudes toward farmed and companion animals.
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Our perceptions shape our intentions, our motivations, our behavior, and in doing so, our reality. In this age of the Anthropocene, our perceptions also impact the lives and welfare of other animals. One of the key principles associated with the success of international animal welfare initiatives is an understanding of local audiences and contexts. Additionally, culture by country has been demonstrated to be a significant determinant of attitudes to animals and their welfare. Within this study, we surveyed 4,291 members of the general public on their perceptions of animals and animal welfare across 14 geographically and culturally diverse countries; Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sudan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States. For many countries included in this study, this constitutes the first time research of this nature has been conducted. Most participants across all countries agreed that the welfare of both farmed animals and companion animals was important to them, and that laws that protect that welfare were also important. The notion that humans always care more for companion animals in comparison to farmed animals is challenged, as is the notion that care for the welfare of animals is a trademark of highly developed nations alone. It is proposed that the utility of the animals, and proximity by way of exposure are more significant than companionship in some countries, particularly those that are engaged with subsistence farming. Important differences exist by country, and the findings have been presented within the context of each country, for ease of incorporation into localized strategy where suitable.
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DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.960379
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