Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare

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The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) is a proposed declaration by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) which calls for the recognition of animal welfare as a global issue and outlines the responsibilities of governments and individuals towards animals. The UDAW aims to establish a set of international standards for animal welfare and promote the humane treatment of animals worldwide.

The UDAW was first proposed in 2007 by the WSPA, and was supported by over 10 million people in over 150 countries. The proposed declaration was submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2008, and was endorsed by over 70 countries. However, the UDAW has not yet been formally adopted by the United Nations.

The UDAW outlines five key principles for animal welfare: the recognition of animals as sentient beings, the duty to provide for animal welfare, the responsibility to protect animals from cruelty and suffering, the duty to prevent animal exploitation, and the need to promote animal welfare education and awareness.