World Poverty, Animal Minds and the Ethics of Veterinary Expenditure. (1st August 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hadley, John; O'Sullivan, Siobhan
• Is Part Of: Environmental values. Volume 18:Number 3(2009:Autumn)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2009-08-01
• Subjects: Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 179.105
• DOI: 10.3197/096327109X12474739376578
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-2719

Abstract

In this paper we make an argument for limiting veterinary expenditure on companion animals. The argument combines two principles: the obligation to give and the self-consciousness requirement. In line with the former, we ought to give money to organisations helping to alleviate preventable suffering and death in developing countries; the latter states that it is only intrinsically wrong to painlessly kill an individual that is self-conscious. Combined, the two principles inform an argument along the following lines: rather than spending inordinate amounts of money on veterinary care when a companion animal is sick or injured, it is better to give the money to an aid organisation and painlessly kill the animal.