Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous nation with over 36 million people, presents a distinctive animal welfare landscape shaped by Islamic cultural traditions, Soviet-era agricultural legacies, a rapidly modernizing economy, and limited civil society space. As Uzbekistan pursues economic liberalization and international integration under President Mirziyoyev's reform agenda, animal welfare is beginning to emerge as a policy consideration — though it remains far from a priority.
Uzbekistan's economy is transitioning from state-controlled cotton monoculture toward diversification, with agriculture still employing about 25% of the workforce. The country has significant livestock sectors including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry, as well as traditional practices like silk production (involving silkworms) and dog breeding for hunting and herding. Urban growth — Tashkent now has 3+ million residents — has introduced new human-animal dynamics including growing pet ownership and urban stray populations.
Uzbekistan has one of Central Asia's largest sheep populations, particularly the Karakul breed prized for its pelt (astrakhan/Persian lamb fur). Karakul lamb pelts are harvested from newborn or even fetal lambs, a practice that generates significant international condemnation from animal welfare organizations. The practice persists due to its economic importance and cultural embeddedness, though international fur trade restrictions are reducing market viability.
Uzbek cattle farming ranges from subsistence family herding to emerging commercial dairy operations near urban centers. Traditional practices involve minimal veterinary care, seasonal feed scarcity, and housing in basic facilities during harsh winters. The government's agricultural modernization programs have begun introducing improved breeds and practices, but welfare considerations are not yet systematically integrated.
Horses hold significant cultural importance in Uzbekistan, used in traditional sports (particularly kok-boru, a Central Asian equestrian game), agriculture, and rural transport. Horse welfare varies considerably: sport horses in urban areas receive better care while working horses in rural areas often face overwork and inadequate veterinary attention.
Tashkent and other Uzbek cities face growing stray dog populations resulting from urbanization, pet abandonment, and absence of systematic management programs. Municipal approaches have historically relied on culling, which is increasingly criticized domestically as awareness grows.
Islamic traditions significantly shape Uzbek attitudes toward animals. Dogs are considered ritually impure (najis) in traditional Islamic jurisprudence, which complicates public advocacy for dog welfare. However, scholarly interpretations vary, and some Muslim-majority countries have developed progressive stray management programs demonstrating that Islamic values and humane animal management are compatible.
Halal slaughter — required for Muslim consumers — mandates killing without prior stunning, a welfare concern that intersects with religious practice. Some Islamic scholars endorse pre-slaughter stunning as compatible with halal requirements, but this interpretation has not been widely adopted in Uzbekistan.
Nowruz (Persian New Year) and other celebrations involve traditional foods including lamb, creating seasonal spikes in livestock slaughter demand. Festival slaughter often occurs outside formal abattoir systems, with limited welfare protections.
Uzbekistan's ecosystems range from the Kyzylkum Desert to Tian Shan mountain foothills. Wildlife includes saiga antelope (critically endangered), snow leopards, Bukhara deer, and diverse bird species. The Aral Sea catastrophe — one of the world's worst environmental disasters — destroyed unique aquatic ecosystems and their wildlife. Conservation efforts continue, including saiga population recovery programs, but face challenges from poaching, habitat loss, and limited enforcement capacity.
Uzbekistan lacks a comprehensive animal welfare law. Provisions scattered across veterinary, environmental, and administrative codes address some aspects of animal management but without unified welfare principles or enforcement mechanisms. The government's reform agenda since 2016 has not yet specifically prioritized animal welfare legislation, though environmental law reform more broadly is ongoing.
Uzbekistan's welfare improvement pathway runs through economic modernization: as the country develops export relationships with EU and other high-standard markets, trading partners may require welfare certifications. Agricultural modernization programs offer opportunities to integrate welfare training. International organizations — FAO, OIE/WOAH, and welfare NGOs — are increasingly active in Central Asia and could support capacity building. Civil society space constraints remain a significant barrier to advocacy-driven change.