Animals in film, television, and advertising are subject to welfare risks from training, set conditions, and working demands — and standards have improved significantly since early Hollywood.
Film and media animal welfare covers a wide range of contexts — from large mammals on feature film sets to insects in social media content. Standards have improved substantially since the era when horses were deliberately tripped for dramatic falls. Regulated productions with welfare monitors and certification schemes provide meaningful protection. Unregulated social media content, viral animal videos, and influencer use of exotic animals remain poorly monitored and can normalize harmful practices. Consumer awareness of animal welfare in media contexts drives demand for certification and accountability.