Animals used in advertising and media face welfare risks that are rarely subject to adequate oversight.
Animals used in advertising and social media content face welfare risks that receive minimal oversight compared to film and television production. Commercial shoots involve unfamiliar environments, bright lights, and extended waiting periods that stress animals. Social media content featuring animals in human contexts — wearing clothing, performing tricks — frequently shows stress signals that untrained audiences interpret as enjoyment. The virality of such content normalizes animal handling practices that cause welfare harm. Better consumer awareness of stress signals in animal media could drive demand for more welfare-conscious content.