Original contributions, from more than 125 well-known philosophers, biologists, and psychologists, create a well-balanced and multi-disciplinary work that addresses the history and development of animal rights and animal protectionist movements around the world.

This remains the only reference to cover the entire scope of animal rights and welfare from a global interdisciplinary perspective, with an international team of contributors assembled by Marc Bekoff covering animal treatment issues in the United States, China, India, Kenya, Australia, and many other nations.

Provides a provocative overview of the many different perspectives on the issues of animal rights and animal welfare. With a focused emphasis on fairness and justice for animals evident on every page, it offers clear explanations of hot-button topics like puppy mills, endangered species in zoos, no-kill shelters, dog fighting, factory farming and disease, veganism, conservation ethics, wildlife contraception, and more. The encyclopedia also explores a range of religious, ethical, and philosophical views on using animals, as well as the latest research on animal cognition and sentience.