In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution and urbanization led to increased concern about animal welfare, particularly in the context of animal transportation and slaughter. Organizations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) were established in the United Kingdom in 1824, marking a significant turning point in the animal welfare movement.

Despite their differences, the two movements share common ground—and often clash.

In 1822, Richard Martin passed the "Ill Treatment of Cattle Act" in the British Parliament, the first animal welfare law in the Western world. It was mocked as "Martin’s Act." In 1975, Peter Singer published Animal Liberation , making a utilitarian welfare argument for ending speciesism. In 2023, the European Union formally acknowledged that "animals are sentient beings, not goods."

focuses on the legal and moral status of animals. It argues that animals have inherent rights—similar to human rights—to live their lives free from human exploitation, regardless of how "humanely" they are treated. Key Frameworks & Concepts

Regan’s conclusion is radical and absolute: These animals have inherent value. Therefore, they have a right not to be treated as resources or property of humans.