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Animal Welfare is concerned with the humane treatment of animals under our care. It is the conviction that all animals should be treated in such a way that they do not suffer unnecessarily. It is distinct from the notion of animal rights.
Animal Rights principles are distinct from Animal Welfare. Animal rights advocates, such as Gary Francione and organizations such as PeTA, argue that the animal welfare position (advocating for the betterment of the condition of animals, but without taking an abolitionist stand) is logically inconsistant and unattainable, and that the goals of animal welfare can only be obtained through abolition of all human use of animals for food, clothing, work, companionship, etc. (see ```veganism```). Animal welfarists argue that such a view is extreme, and do not advocate the elimination of all animal use or companionship.
Animal welfare principles are codified by positive law in many nations, but animal rights are recognized in almost none.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCAAnimal Welfare compared with Animal Rights
See also: