Some animals are subjected to torment at the hands of their owners. Others are left behind or killed. These developments have resulted in an increase in “animal rescue” efforts across the country. According to the ASPCA(American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year. Of course, this does nothing to help the countless numbers of animals used in medical experiments, while others are slaughtered for their fur. PETA estimates that “millions” of animals are used in research.
The Swiftest has released its Animal Rights Index for 2021 to assess the problem globally. It looks at the best and worst countries for animal rights out of a total of 65.
A wide range of factors are considered in the ratings. The author Methew Nash:
I utilized nine key factors including things like recognition of animal sentience and suffering, whether fur farming is banned, laws against animal cruelty and even meat consumption per capita to name a few data points.
These factors were, in particular:
Recognition of animal sentience (defined by Merriam-Webster as “feeling or sensation distinct from perception and thought”)
Recognized animal suffering
Animal cruelty legislation (which likely vary widely in terms of punishment)
National bans on fur farms
The study calls for “universal recognition of the United Declaration of Animal Welfare.”
Per capita meat consumption
The proportion of protected areas
Pesticide application per hectare (which is 2.5 acres)
A rating for the environmental performance index
Each of the 65 countries is assigned a score based on what the study refers to as an animal rights index. This index is used to generate a letter grade ranging from A to F.
China, with a score of 12.46 and a grade of F, received the lowest grade. Luxembourg, on the other hand, came in first place with a score of 519.68 and an A grade.
Vietnam came in second with a score of 45.24, followed by Iran with a score of 71.40. Both are given a F as well.
