American spending on pets is more than the combined GDP of the 39 poorest countries in the world. What if even a small percentage of this spending was allocated to reducing suffering, asks a philosopher.
While the commitment of vegan businesses to animal well-being is laudable, is that where their ethical commitments stop? Are they reproducing bare-minimum labour standards, or aiming higher?
The government has extended by a year the time it is giving exporters with old ships to continue with sub-standard conditions for sheep carried to the Middle East.
In choosing not to ban the live export trade even in the hottest northern months, the federal government is allowing animals to be put in conditions where they cannot possibly escape suffering.
The submission recommends an increase in the space allocation for each animal of at least 30% for sheep weighing 40-60 kilograms – the weight range of the typical sheep sent to the Middle East.
Giving male dogs the snip is a common practice in Australia and elsewhere to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs. But it can also lead to some unwanted behavioural problems.
From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, thousands of Americans are raising chickens in their backyards. But without stricter regulation, urban poultry farming is risky for both humans and birds.
Horses have played a major role in our culture and have worked hard for human beings for eons. But there’s high turnover and pressing labour issues in horse stables. It’s time to figure out why.
Animals do so much work for humans, from farm animals who die to feed us to service animals helping veterans with PTSD. It’s time we gave back by providing humane living and working conditions.
Professor, Management and Organizational Studies, Huron University College and Coordinator of Animal Ethics and Sustainability Leadership, Western University