The majority of the world's working and farmed animals are in low-income countries where welfare regulation and enforcement infrastructure are limited. International support for local welfare capacity is essential.
Animal welfare in developing countries is shaped by the intersection of poverty, limited regulation, and animal dependence for livelihoods. Working animals in poor health reduce farm productivity - creating alignment between welfare improvement and economic development. International organisations that support local welfare capacity building - training vets, farmers, and enforcement officials - create sustainable improvement rather than externally-imposed standards. Slaughter welfare is particularly challenging where refrigeration is limited and speed of slaughter is prioritised for food safety. Supporting organisations that work contextually and build local ownership of welfare improvement achieves more than blanket condemnation of practices from wealthy country perspectives.