The use of animals in film and television raises welfare concerns ranging from training methods to on-set conditions. Understanding how the industry is regulated helps advocates push for improvement.
Film and television animal welfare failures range from significant to fatal. Historic productions documented horse deaths, dog injuries, and other on-set animal harm that would not occur in better-regulated environments. The AHA monitoring system has been criticized for gaps in coverage, advance notice of inspections, and conflicts of interest. Wild animals used for dramatic effect — bears, big cats, and primates on set — cannot consent and cannot understand their situation, experiencing the film environment as deeply stressful regardless of between-scene management. The growing capability of digital visual effects makes the use of live wild animals in film ethically indefensible in most contexts. Consumer preferences for productions that do not feature live wild animal use create market pressure for change.