International Animal Rights Day and its History

International Animal Rights Day (IARD) is observed annually on December 10. Importantly, it coincides with the International Human Rights Day. This day promotes awareness of the rights of animals and ethical treatment. It demands no use of animals for humans in research, entertainment, and agriculture. Animal Liberation Book By Peter Singer is also behind this. He was the critique of speciesism. Moreover, this day also got inspiration from the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR). A UK-based organization “Uncaged” headed this day. On the other hand, the critics of the rights of animals call it an unrealistic approach and they focus on animal welfare rather than rights. So Animal Rights and Animal Welfare are two different philosophical approaches.

This day urges society to change its attitude regarding the welfare of animals, whether they are domesticated, pets, or wildlife. International Animal Rights Day is dedicated to recognizing animals as sentient beings who deserve equal protection and compassion. The day highlights animal exploitation and animal victims of human actions. It advocates universal animal rights and animal welfare but these are different terms.

Animals are Sentient Beings

Animal Activists advocate that Animals are Sentient Beings. It means they can also experience emotions and sensations. Moreover, they have emotions like joy, fear, pain, and pleasure. It is scientifically approved that animals have sensations and they show behavioral responses.

Animals feel emotions being Sentient Beings by Dr Maryam Khalid 

History of International Animal Rights Day

International Animal Rights Day has a strong link with the movements for the rights of animals. It also has a historical link with & the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights. This movement was at its peak in the 1970s. Animal Activists were advocating for the rights of animals on a broader scale. Various animal organizations joined during this decade and started raising awareness about ethical animal considerations. They focused on the rights of animals considering their use in research, entertainment, and agriculture.

Animal Liberation Book on Rights of Animals

“Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals,” is a book written by the Australian philosopher Peter Singer. It was published in 1975. This book played a pivotal role in the International Day of the Rights of Animals. It encouraged people to reconsider their perceptions about animals. He was the critique of speciesism which means the unjust discrimination based on species.

Universal Declaration of Animal Rights

This day got the inspiration for the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR). The Universal Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR) was established on 15^th October 1978 by the International League for the Rights of Animals at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. It is a primary document for recognizing animals as sentient beings. The UDAR text was revised in 1989. Later, it was approved and available to the public in 1990.

Establishment of International Animal Rights Day

In the late 1970s and 1980s, a large number of protests and campaigns emerged against animal cruelty. As a result, International Animal Rights Day (IARD) was established in 1998. An organization “Uncaged” headed it in the UK. December 10, was selected due to its link with human rights. On this date in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.

What are the Rights of animals?

Animal rights mean that animals have moral worth. They should be free from human exploitation. It is a philosophical and ethical concept. It suggests that non-human animals have rights similar to humans. Furthermore, it advocates for the protection and acknowledgment of animals’ well-being. It also emphasizes animals to be free from cruelty and exploitation. This perspective challenges the traditional view of animal usage for humans.

World Farm Animals Day and its History; What is Factory Farming?

Animal Rights and Animal Welfare Differences

Animal Rights and Animal Welfare are two different approaches. The rights of animals are often confused with animal welfare, but, these are different viewpoints. In fact, Animal Rights argue that animals should not be used for humans and that they need freedom like humans. On the other hand, animal welfare advocates for the health and safety of animals under human care.

Animal Welfare is a practical approach that focuses on humans and the careful treatment of animals. It focuses on the physical and psychological needs of animals. Moreover, Animal welfare does not challenge the use of animals for human purposes. It encourages the improvement in research, farming, and entertainment to minimize animal cruelty.

On the other hand, the rights of animals challenge the traditional use of animals for human food, entertainment, and health. So two perceptions on animal fights and animal welfare exist.

History of World Animal Day and Theme Elaboration

Critiques of Animal Rights and Animal Rights Day 

Animal Rights and animal welfare differences also have criticism on both sides. Critics of the rights of animals argue that Rights come with responsibilities but animals cannot understand or fulfill the responsibilities. The treatment of animals like humans is an unrealistic idea. It is hard to apply animal rights in real life. It will ultimately lead to stopping predators from preying. Moreover, it is also difficult to decide which animals should get rights. It will also stop the pests and insects killing ultimately.

Moreover, the rights of animals mean no meat, no farming, and no testing. It ultimately raises the issue of food security and animal health. So animal rights will directly conflict the human rights. This will put the animals above the human problems.

Protection of the rights of every animal will destroy the ecosystem as it will interfere with the food web chain and natural ecosystem balance. It will also raise issues for wildlife conservation efforts.

So general perception supports and advocates animal welfare rather than animal rights focusing on better treatment and care for animals.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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