Abstract

Unrestricted reproductive rights for domesticated animals, including the right to roam freely, will have serious consequences for domesticated animals in today's world. While political and legal theories focus on population control to justify fertility restrictions, they do so to save animals’ lives, and one consequence of restricting domesticated animals’ reproductive rights is many more animal deaths. Further, theorists have explored whether population control methods unjustifiably infringe on animals’ rights and argue that at least some are not only justified but arguably mandated under animal rights theories. And finally, it is doubtful today that unbridled reproductive rights for domesticated animals that protect their rights to freedom of association and mobility is in their best interests.