(non-violence) in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism have long influenced the ethical treatment of animals in the East. Philosophical Shift:
The debate was, for centuries, philosophical. Today, it is empirical.
The gold standard for welfare is the originally developed for livestock but now applied broadly: Freedom from hunger and thirst. Freedom from discomfort (providing appropriate shelter). Freedom from pain, injury, or disease. Freedom to express normal behavior. Freedom from fear and distress. Animal Rights
As you walk through the grocery store, the zoo, or the pharmacy, the question is no longer, "Can they suffer?" (We know they can). The question is, "Does their suffering matter enough to change your behavior?"