Animals used in film and television production face welfare risks from training methods, set conditions, and repeated takes, with oversight standards varying significantly across countries.
Animal welfare on film sets depends heavily on the training philosophy of handlers and the willingness of production companies to prioritise welfare over convenience. Positive reinforcement trained animal actors can participate in productions with minimal welfare cost. Aversively trained animals experience chronic stress and fear-based compliance that represents ongoing welfare compromise. The most significant welfare improvement is technological: CGI allows elimination of live animals from productions entirely, removing welfare risk without artistic compromise. Productions that continue using live animals should be subject to independent welfare monitoring with the ability to halt filming when welfare standards are breached.