Animal cruelty is cruelty to animals. Most people find cruelty to animals at the least distasteful, and many people regard cruelty to animals as a major moral issue.

The animal welfare and animal rights movements are two different reactions to the issue of cruelty to animals.

The animal rights movement is distinct from the animal welfare movement, which is primarily concerned with improving treatment of animals but believes that the use of animals for human ends is justified, but seeks to minimise suffering.

See also