The protection of animals against abuse and neglect; the definition of institutions that protect animals.
Please note: there is more that interferes with the well-being of animals than "abuse and neglect", f.e. "weariness" and deprivation of freedom.
Philosophers about animal rights
Jeremy Bentham, Peter Singer, Tom Regan, Paul Cliteur, Albert Schweitzer, Paul Taylor, Goodpaster, Aldo Leopold, John Rodman, Johnson.
Controversial and vague term that, after Tom Regan,
is seen by some people as the basis for animal rights.
Because the value of animals is considered intrinsic,
it would not depend on human judgement. The intrinsic
value or self-value is not dependent on the use the animal
has for man.
Physical integrity
Inviolability of the body, violated f.e. by pulling
teeth, clipping wings, cutting beaks, sterilization (spaying,
neutering), applying ear marks, administration of internal
chips.
Love
Elsevier's Philosophical and Psychological Encyclopaedia
(1975) describes "love" as follows:
Not definable in a strict sense, that is not te be
seized by an other concept because, to mankind, love
forms a fundamental, irreducible way of being and experiencing.
Love is the richest and deepest expression of inter-personal
relationship. Within love, the other is being sought
for love's sake and being accepted with all his or her
failings and imperfections.
In love one feels involved with the other: love seeks
unity, in both spiritual and physical respect.
…..
Immature love looks for itself, the child longs for
tokens of affection that it will interpret as proof
of appreciation for it's very person. But mature love,
although certainly keeping this aspect, is -next to
and above asking- capable of giving, i.e. of granting
the loved one a central place.
Respect
Originally a Latin word, freely translated meaning "keeping
a proper distance" and indicating a right balance between involvement with versus setting free others (man
and animal).
Well-being
The experience of satisfaction with one's
situation in life.
Animals are not well capable of showing whether or not
they are satisfied. People can do so with words, animals
only have their behavior to show how they feel. It is
difficult to establish the well-being of animals.
Universal declaration on the well-being of animals
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
states that the universal declaration on the well-being
of animals serves as collective standard to be used by
all peoples and nations for the purpose of striving with
all appropriate means to maintain these principles and
consequently by means of progressive measurements, both
nationally as well as internationally, to ensure that
they will be recognized and applied everywhere and with
good result.