Animal Mistreatment in Business: Ethical Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Animal mistreatment in businesses around the world is becoming a hotly debated topic. Many animal welfare laws protect wild animals and pets, but make exemptions for animals in farms, zoos or labs. There are economic benefits behind animal mistreatment since businesses can maximize profits by, for example, raising animals in crowded spaces, or forcing them to perform shows. However, ethical arguments on this issue reveal that animal mistreatment may actually cost more than humane animal treatment. Furthermore, consumer awareness on animal mistreatments is increasing, so this poses both a threat and opportunity to businesses. As society puts more and more value on sustainable green business today, inhumane animal treatments may harm a company's reputation and reduce its sales. Businesses should be aware of this trend and examine new humane alternatives to their traditional practices in order to stay competitive in the market.

Saúde animal: comércio e sociedade

“…A produção animal e os alimentos de origem animal representam um mercado comercial importante, fonte de alimento para a sociedade, os animais também são importantes componentes de outros mercados: turismo, ecoturismo, animais de estimação (Wang & Chan, 2017).…”

“…À medida que a sociedade atribui cada vez mais valor aos negócios verdes sustentáveis, os tratamentos desumanos aos animais podem prejudicar a reputação de uma empresa e reduzir as suas vendas. As empresas devem estar conscientes desta tendência e examinar novas alternativas às suas práticas tradicionais, a fim de se manterem competitivas no mercado (Wang & Chan, 2017).…”