Animal Rights Versus Animal Welfare

Responsive Management recently conducted the largest ever nationwide study on Americans’ attitudes toward animal rights (the idea that animals may not be used by humans at all), animal welfare (the idea that animals may be used by humans as long as they do not experience undue suffering), and hunting. This research entailed two major components: a scientific probability-based survey of Americans ages 18 years old and older, and a series of ten focus groups in a diverse selection of locations across the country (several focus groups were held specifically with strong supporters of animal rights).

Both the survey and focus groups explored attitudes on the animal rights/animal welfare continuum, including opinions on how animals may be used; approval and disapproval of hunting; levels of concern about wildlife populations, conservation, and Second Amendment issues; opinions on media and messages pertaining to animals and wildlife; the perceived credibility of various organizations; and the propensity of Americans to engage in conservation-related activities.