Animal Welfare Is Human Economic Welfare

In the scientific literature, animal welfare is usually defined in terms of the quality of an animal’s life—how well it is coping with and experiencing its environment. While this concept centers on the animal itself, it also has important implications for human economic welfare. There are two primary reasons for this connection. First, because animals are sentient and capable of feelings, how we treat them matters ethically. Second, the majority of non-human animals are domesticated, and this has significant economic implications. Despite this, there has been limited research into the true costs and benefits of current animal management practices. A deeper understanding of these interconnections would highlight the critical role animal welfare plays in promoting economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Ultimately, the well-being of humans and animals is deeply interconnected, and it is essential to reexamine how this relationship is managed. This chapter explores how animal welfare can be meaningfully measured, the limitations of existing approaches, and their potential to inform policies that benefit both animals and the economy. Even imperfect metrics can bring animal welfare into the conversation alongside economic, environmental, and social indicators—supporting a more holistic and integrated approach to sustainability.