What do animal rights refer to?

Animal rights refer to the belief that animals should have legal and moral rights to live free from being used for human purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, or experimentation. This philosophy emphasizes that animals have inherent value and should be treated with respect and compassion, advocating for their protection against exploitation and harm. This perspective is often rooted in ethical considerations regarding sentience and suffering, asserting that animals should not be viewed merely as resources for human benefit.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of animal rights. The laws governing animal breeding and regulations surrounding animal farming primarily focus on the treatment and control of animals within those contexts rather than broader ethical considerations. Similarly, the ethical treatment of service animals is a more specific issue that does not encompass the collective rights of all animals to exist independently of human use. Thus, the definition that encompasses the broadest view of animal rights is the one stating that animals have the right to live free from use for human services.