The Global Watchdogs: Toward International Animal Rights Law?

This article examines the different avenues to protect animals globally under (a zoological perspective on) international law. A first approach is to use existing organizations, which are limited in scope but through which it is easier to find common ground. The second approach is to use a global existing and overarching organization. The Organization for Animal Health has the advantage of having quasi-universal membership and of issuing science-based and objective reports. However, its powers are currently quite weak. This article suggests that the best avenue would be a third approach: the establishment of a new international organization, preferably under the U.N. umbrella.