ABSTRACT
Society's relationship with the animal welfare movement is multidimensional. Some welfare organizations are loathed; yet, some animal lovers may appreciate certain welfarist groups' stances on particular animal issues. Animal welfare involves feelings, politics, ideas, activism, morality, and policies. In general, there is an overarching animal welfare movement and agenda. The movement began slowly around the beginning of the twentieth century, when altruistic philanthropists supported humane legislation and established animal shelters. Under the First Amendment free speech is guaranteed. This guarantee includes political speech in public areas. Many animal welfare organizations conduct undercover surveillance of animal enterprises. Without undercover surveillance routine criminal neglect and cruelty would go undocumented. Animal welfarists are involved at every level of the criminal justice system. From street-level protection offered by police to hearings at the US Supreme Court, activists employ the system on behalf of animals.
