Animal Welfare Research Priorities: Where Investment Is Needed Most

Systematic analysis of animal welfare research priorities reveals significant gaps in knowledge that limit evidence-based welfare improvement.

Key Facts

Fish welfare research is severely underfunded relative to the numbers of fish involved in food systems
Invertebrate welfare research is at an early stage despite rapid expansion of insect farming
Wild animal welfare research lacks a coordinated funding framework
Positive welfare indicators are understudied compared to negative welfare measures
Welfare economics research connecting welfare improvements to farm business outcomes is limited

Welfare Considerations

Welfare research investment should be guided by where knowledge gaps create the greatest impediment to evidence-based improvement. Fish and invertebrate welfare research is urgently underfunded given the billions of individuals involved. Positive welfare indicator research is needed to complete welfare assessment frameworks. Wild animal welfare research requires investment to address the largest category of animal suffering. Strategic philanthropic investment in these areas creates multiplied welfare impact through enabling better-informed interventions.

What You Can Do

Direct welfare research donations toward highest-priority knowledge gaps including fish and invertebrate welfare
Support organizations developing research priority frameworks for animal welfare
Advocate for public research funding bodies to identify and address welfare research gaps
Engage with academic institutions working on underfunded welfare research areas