A comprehensive review of animal welfare across all categories in 2026 identifies the most significant advances, persistent challenges, and reasons for hope across farm, companion, aquatic, and wild animal welfare.
The 2026 animal welfare year in review shows genuine progress across all major categories of animal welfare. Farm animal advances in enrichment and stunning, companion animal advances in disease treatment and pain management, aquatic welfare advances in salmon certification, and wild animal conservation welfare improvements all represent real welfare benefits for real animals. The cumulative impact is significant. The remaining challenge - extending these advances to all animals - is the work of continued advocacy.