95% of land animals in the US live on factory farms. Welfare laws are minimal (e.g., the "Downer" law prohibits dragging conscious, disabled cows into a slaughterhouse). The "rights" response is veganism. The "welfare" response is "ethical omnivorism" (grass-fed, free-range, certified humane). The problem is economic: Free-range costs more, and "humanely raised" meat still requires a slaughterhouse.
Animal rights, on the other hand, argue that non-human animals have inherent rights, similar to those of humans. This perspective posits that animals have intrinsic value, deserving of respect and protection, regardless of their utility or functional value to humans. The concept of animal rights is often linked to the philosophy of speciesism, which challenges the idea that humans are superior to other animals. 95% of land animals in the US live on factory farms
Morally consistent. It draws a clear line: sentient beings are not things. It addresses the inherent wrongness of killing (which welfare ignores). This perspective posits that animals have intrinsic value,