This reports examines the state of animal protection in the Unites States using 25 of the most relevant and reliable data sources currently available. In general, the trends show that the state of animal protection in the U.S. is far from ideal. Although some individual indicators come close to meeting the desired goals of the animal protection movement, no group of indicators in any one area reaches even the halfway point of the goal that advocates seek. The average of all indicators was 34 out of 100. One way to think about this number is to say that the animal protection movement is about one-third of the way to meeting its goals, as they are defined by this report.
The area of companion animals had the highest average score, receiving 47 out of a possible 100 points. This is closely followed by an average score of 44 in the area of Wildlife and Exotics. It makes sense that the U.S. treats companion animals better than other types of animals; companion animals are given a higher status than other animals and interact with us in very intimate ways. They live in our homes, sleep in our beds, and we take them to the doctor when they are ill. For this reason, it makes sense that we do the most to protect this group of animals.
However, considering the prevalence of companion animals in U.S. society—two-thirds of U.S. households have one or more companion animals—this score is lower than expected. Although attitudes toward companion animals are very positive (e.g., nearly all U.S. adults think that the protection of companion animals is important), outcomes and behaviors are not (e.g., about 3.5 million animals are killed in shelters each year due mostly to a lack of homes).
The category of indicators that received the lowest score is farmed animals, which scored 4 out of 100. This is an area that needs particular attention from the animal protection community given that it is where the most animals are killed each year for human purposes. Over 9 billion land animals are slaughtered in this industry each year. Only 2% of these animals were part of a humane labeling program that attempted to ease animals’ suffering before slaughter, and fewer than 4% of U.S. adults choose not to eat animals (i.e., are vegetarian/vegan).
In as concise a manner as possible, this report consolidates the range of major animal protection goals in the United States and measures how well these goal are being met for the country as a whole. The current state of animal protection is far from ideal. In all areas that animals need protection, animal advocates must continue working to meet their goals, with arguably the most work needed in the area of farm animals. This report seeks to highlight those areas that are most in need of improvement, with the hope that animal advocates and policymakers can use this information to create positive change for animals.
