Welfare Economics and Cost-Effectiveness in Animal Advocacy

Applying welfare economics to animal advocacy helps identify the most cost-effective interventions for reducing animal suffering at scale.

Key Facts

Cost-effectiveness analysis compares the welfare impact per dollar across different interventions
Cage-free campaigns cost an estimated 5-15 cents per hen year of improved welfare
Farmed animal welfare affects roughly 80 billion land animals and hundreds of billions of fish annually
Open Philanthropy and other funders use cost-effectiveness estimates to guide grant decisions
The most cost-effective interventions may improve welfare for millions of animals per dollar spent
GiveWell-style charity evaluators have expanded to include animal welfare since 2016

Welfare Considerations

Welfare economics applied to animals recognises that suffering has moral weight regardless of species. By estimating the intensity and duration of suffering prevented per dollar, advocates can prioritise interventions that help the most animals. This approach has transformed philanthropic giving and corporate campaign strategy.

What You Can Do

Study resources from Animal Charity Evaluators on cost-effectiveness
Support top-rated animal welfare charities identified by expert evaluators
Encourage effective altruist communities to expand animal welfare giving
Advocate for research funding into welfare impact measurement
Share cost-effectiveness thinking with animal advocacy organisations