International and Foreign Animal Law Research Guide

This guide is intended to help researchers locate information on animal law in an international and foreign context. For help researching U.S. animal law, see our companion guide.

This guide focuses primarily on international and foreign law that addresses welfare issues of companion animals, farm animals and animals used in research, with less focus on international law that protects wildlife. It includes links to and information about international treaties, national laws on animal welfare, EU legislation, case law, books, articles and organizations.

Animal law is a broad subject, with governments and organizations worldwide constantly developing new concepts and approaches to animal welfare. Some issues include:

• the overpopulation of companion animals;
• animal sentience;
• trade in exotic animals as pets;
• animal fighting (e.g. dog- and cockfighting);
• animal cruelty legislation;
• humane transport of farm animals;
• the use of battery cages and gestation crates;
• animal research in the cosmetics industry;
• the fur trade.

Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
Photo by Malene Thyssen (via Wikimedia Commons)

Revised 07/25 (dei)
Revised 11/22 (dei)
Links updated 01/22 (mmk)
Links updated 7/13 (hec)
Revised 5/10 (ras)