Animal rights by country

Rights affecting non-human animals, commonly called 'animal rights', encompass everything from the legal recognition of non-human animal sentience to the absolute lack of any anti-cruelty laws with no regard for animal welfare. The recognition of such animal rights varies greatly from one jurisdiction (such as a country, territory, or other political entity) to another.

It has been proposed that the League of Nations pass the first resolution recognizing animal rights, the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, which acknowledges the importance of the sentience of animals and human responsibilities towards them.

Overview

Principal laws on animal rights

Country/territory	Recognition of animal sentience	Recognition of animal suffering	Anti-cruelty laws meet OIE standards	Laws against animal cruelty
Caphiria	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Global animal rights

Legend

	Permitted
	Permitted, with complex legality or practice
	Varies by subdivision
	Prohibited, with complex legality or practice
	Prohibited

Country/territory	Laws on battery cages	Laws on beak trimming	Laws on chick culling	Laws on foie gras production	Laws on stunning animals during ritual slaughter	Legal status of whaling	Laws on cosmetic animal testing	Laws on bullfighting	Laws on cockfighting	Laws on dog fighting	Laws on dolphinariums/ marine mammal captivity	Laws banning the use of animals in circuses	Laws on goose pulling	Notes
Caphiria														Bullfighting, using animals and circuses, and marine mammal captivity are illegal on a broad level, although it is possible through strict regulations. Whaling is illegal but it is possible to obtain a commercial whaling license.