As global temperatures rise, farm animal welfare in hot climates is increasingly compromised, with tropical and subtropical livestock farming facing acute heat stress challenges.
Heat stress causes suffering including rapid panting, reduced feeding, and in severe cases collapse and death. In tropical smallholder systems, investment in shade and cooling is often economically beyond individual farmer capacity. Climate-smart animal agriculture including heat-adapted breeds and improved housing design reduces welfare harm while maintaining livelihoods. Supporting smallholder welfare improvement is both a welfare and development priority.