Welfare Science

AWH 106,900 Milestone: Animal Welfare Progress Review

As Animal Welfare Hub reaches 106,900 pages, this milestone reflects on animal welfare progress in 2026 and the work still needed to improve lives for billions of animals.

Key Facts

Global farm animal welfare has improved in some regions but declined in others due to intensification
Companion animal welfare legislation has strengthened in UK, EU and many other jurisdictions
Marine protected areas cover growing proportion of ocean but welfare enforcement remains weak
Wildlife populations continue to decline but some targeted conservation recoveries are underway
Public awareness of animal welfare issues is at historic high with growing consumer interest

Welfare Considerations

Progress on animal welfare is real but insufficient. Billions of animals still experience severe suffering in farming, fishing and wildlife loss. The gap between current reality and what is achievable with existing knowledge and technology remains enormous. Sustained focus on the most impactful interventions is essential.

What You Can Do

Review your own animal welfare impact and identify the most impactful changes
Support organisations with evidence-based approaches to large-scale welfare improvement
Advocate for policy changes that could benefit animals at scale
Share Animal Welfare Hub resources to amplify awareness of evidence-based welfare information