Animals in film and television have historically been subject to welfare abuses. The American Humane Certified program and improved standards have improved outcomes, though challenges remain globally.
Film and television animal welfare has improved significantly since the era when horses were tripped by wires for dramatic falls. The American Humane Certified program provides independent monitoring on set, and the reputational value of certification creates producer incentive for compliance. However, gaps remain: monitoring cannot be everywhere on large productions; some animal deaths have occurred in certified productions; international productions operate under less oversight. CGI has reduced live animal use for the most dangerous scenes. The most welfare-positive trajectory is continued expansion of CGI capability for animal portrayal alongside strengthened monitoring standards for productions using real animals.