Regardless of your label, the ethical arc of history bends, however slowly, toward inclusion. We have widened the circle of moral consideration from "adult male property owners" to "all humans regardless of race or gender." The question of the 21st century is whether that circle will widen to include the 8 billion non-human mammals we kill for food each year, or the billions more in the wild.

Access to fresh water and a diet maintaining full health and vigor.

Governed federally by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Excludes birds, rats, and mice bred for research, leaving gaps in protection.