This review of attitudes among Australians shows that they consider animal welfare to be an important issue and that, in general, animals should not be exposed to unnecessary pain. However, the findings show that Australian “stockpeople” do believe that farm animals experience pain.

The Australian community generally considers animal welfare to be an important issue, thought it does not have strong influence in the marketplace. Instead, people tend to be more willing to donate to animal welfare groups, write to newspapers, or other such activities. Various studies of Australian consumers present related findings:

• 16% disagreed that the “welfare of animals is a major concern,” although a majority of 60% agreed.
• 6% disagreed with the statement, “farm animal welfare is an important consideration,” while 71% agreed.
• 17% agreed that “demand for food is more important than humane treatment,” while 62% disagreed.

Overall, among the community and among professionals working with animal, the majority considers animal welfare to be a significant issue, however the use of animals is acceptable as long as no unnecessary suffering is involved.

According to unpublished 2007 data, when asked about farm animals, 70% of stockpeople disagreed that these animals “don’t feel pain like humans” while less than 7% agreed. In a separate 2006 survey by, 60% of animal science students agreed that farm animals feel pain similarly to humans. However, in a different survey, 39% of Norwegians agreed that “calves don’t experience pain as strong as humans do.”

Veterinarians also showed a diversity of attitudes. According to a 2005 survey of veterinarians in New Zealand about the use of analgesia in dogs and cats, the majority consider relief as the primary consideration, while 10% did not.