The future of animal welfare involves technological, cultural, and political changes that could dramatically reduce animal suffering over the coming decades.
The trajectory of animal welfare over the coming decades will be shaped by technological disruption of food systems, advancing welfare science, legislative progress, and the choices of billions of consumers and advocates. Alternative proteins - cellular agriculture, fermentation, and plant-based foods - could transform the welfare landscape by displacing demand for conventional animal agriculture. Welfare science continues to expand the circle of recognized sentience and develop better measures of positive welfare. Legislative frameworks recognizing animal sentience and requiring positive welfare provision are advancing. The welfare future depends on connecting these developments - translating scientific progress into policy, market change, and cultural norms.