Human beings are not the only animals that can suffer and feel pleasure, and we have moral obligations to all animals that can.
We support the reduction of animal suffering resulting from human behaviour and see compassionate attitudes to animal suffering as a hallmark of a humane society.
We endorse and promote the principles and specific freedoms guaranteed within the ‘Five Freedoms’ for animals under human control, created by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and adopted by many organisations internationally including the World Organisation for Animal Health. We want to see them implemented and protected in full in law or policy by governments across the UK and the world.
- Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Freedom to express most normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering
In their own life some humanists adopt a vegetarian or vegan position, and we support people who make these choices being accommodated wherever possible.
We support any law and policy that will lead to greater regard to animal welfare and animal sentience. We take a special interest in animal welfare issues that intersect with our wider policy platform, such as by opposing religious exemptions to animal welfare law.
We are part of the story of life, connected with all other species – part of the huge, copiously branching tree of life. As conscious beings, we must surely endeavour to look after each other and the planet.
The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.