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14,000 BCE
The Domestication of Animals (14,000-1,000 BCE)
Beginning with dogs, the domestication of animals lasted from 14,000 to 1,000 BCE. Various civilizations domesticated cats, sheep, goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and more. -
Enlightenment Questions Treatment of Animals (1600-1800)
The philosophers of the Enlightenment began to question animals and their treatment, with some arguing animals are sentient beings who deserve protection. The first modern animal protection laws were passed in Ireland and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
First Animal Protection Legislation Passed (1800-1914)
The British Parliament passed the first national animal protection legislation during this time, and animal protection and vegetarian organizations began to form here. The anti-vivisection movements of both America and Britain grew in the late 19th century. This was partly due to the Brown Dog affair. Japanese taboo against eating meat died out also. -
The 28 Hour Law is Passed
This law requires vehicles transporting certain slaughter animals to stop every 28 hours for the animals to exercise, drink, and eat. It does not apply to animals who are transported in vehicles that already contain food or water. There are other exceptions as well. Birds that are commercially farmed, like chickens and turkeys, are exempt from this by the federal government. -
The Lacey Act
This act bans illegal wildlife trafficking. It was the first federal law protecting wild animals. It specifically prohibits trade in wildlife and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold. It prohibits the making of false documents over the sale and shipment of wildlife. -
Brown Dog Affair (1903 - March 1910)
Started by allegations that William Bayliss performed an illegal vivisection, This was a political controversy over vivisection that occurred in Britain. It involved the infiltration of Swedish feminists into the University of London medical lectures; fights between medical students and the police; police protection for the statue of a dog; a Royal Courts of Justice trial; and the creation of a Royal Commission to investigate the use of animals in experiments. It divided the country. -
Increased Use of Animals (1914-1966)
With the beginning of intensive animal agriculture, the use of animals grew dramatically in the 1920s. This also included the use of animals for experimentation in cosmetics and science. Media coverage of animal abuse began to grow, along with concern over animal welfare in America and Great Britain. This helped bring about the first federal animal welfare legislation of the U.S.. -
The Humane (Methods) Slaughter Act (1958/1978)
The first act, The Humane Slaughter Act, was passed in 1958. This act was then amended in 1978, giving us the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. These acts require animals to be stunned into unconsciousness before slaughter, in order to minimize pain. Despite this, chickens, turkeys, and other birds are not protected by this law. f -
Consumption of Animals Grows
From 1963 to 2014, global meat production has risen from around 78 million tons, to 308 million tons. A 39% increase! Media about animal cruelty has been spread more rapidly and has boosted animal rights and welfare movements. In the West, as well as other countries, public interest in animal welfare, animal rights, and plant-based diets has increased. -
Animal Welfare Act is Passed
This act is the primary federal animal protection law. This act mainly involves animals kept at zoos, used in laboratories, and are commercially bred and sold, including those in puppy mills. -
The Endangered Species Act
This act protects plants, fish, mammals, and birds listed as endangered. It outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, including criminal and civil penalties for violations. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. -
PETA is founded
In Rockville, Maryland, PETA was founded by Ingrid Newkirk. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is an animal rights organization. -
The Companion Animals Act is Passed
This act is a pet protection act that keeps shelters from selling found pets to organizations for a period of five days to prevent pets from being stolen, animals being used for scientific testing and illegal activities. -
The Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Act
This act requires states and local emergency authorities to show how they will accommodate households with pets or service animals in evacuation situations. They must be present in disaster preparedness plans to receive federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. -
The PACT Act
The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act made some of the worst and cruelest forms of animal cruelty in or affecting interstate commerce or within the territorial jurisdiction of America a federal crime. It banned the creation and distribution of animal cruelty videos. This act goes a step further to ban the underlying animal cruelty contained in these videos. There are exceptions for "customary and normal" agricultural and veterinary practices, including slaughtering animals for food.
