Animal Rights by Country 2024

When considering animal rights, it is important to note that only a few countries have included animal protection in their governmental charter document, such as a constitution. The countries that have enshrined language protecting animals in their constitution are the following:

• Switzerland (adopted in 1973)
• India (adopted in 1976)

• Brazil (adopted in 1988)
• Slovenia (adopted in 1991)
• Germany (adopted in 2002)

• Luxembourg (adopted in 2007)
• Austria (adopted in 2013)
• Egypt (adopted in 2014)

• Russia (adopted in 2020)

Animals Have No Legal “Rights” Under Human Laws

The provisions in these constitutional documents or constitutional amendments include language regarding the protection of animals, animal welfare, the dignity of animals, compassion for animals, and prohibitions against animal cruelty. However, there is no express description of any animal “rights.” Even the anti-cruelty laws are about what humans cannot legally do, not necessarily about abused animals' rights.

There is concern for animals in many places, except for these 11 countries: Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, DR Congo, Eritrea, Iran, Madagascar, and Mongolia. Those countries have no laws protecting animals. China and Iran are the worst. For example, China has cities with annual dog-eating festivals; overall, animal abuse in China is horrific.

Here is a list of the countries in the world and whether they have at least the basic legal prohibitions against animal cruelty, even if the law is not enforced.