Are there any international agreements that protect animal rights?

Yes, there are several international agreements that protect animal rights. These agreements strive to protect wild and domesticated animals from unnecessary suffering and abuse. The most important of these agreements is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This agreement, signed in 1973, was created to protect and conserve wild animal populations from overhunting and poaching, as well as to prevent illegal trading of endangered species. Additionally, the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, signed in 1979, works to protect migratory species such as whales, dolphins and birds from being overharvested or unintentionally impacted by the activities of people. At the European Union level, the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes works to protect and improve the welfare of animals used in farming operations. Further, the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, also known as the “Pets Convention”, works to provide humane conditions of keeping and transport of domestic pets. Lastly, the OIE Framework on Animal Welfare, established by the World Organisation for Animal Health, is an international agreement that provides a set of principles and guidelines regarding animal welfare. In the United States, animal rights laws exist at the federal, state and local level. In Virginia, the state government works to protect the rights of animals through a variety of laws and policies. For instance, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to animal welfare. Further, the Virginia General Assembly has enacted laws such as the Animal Welfare Act and the Companion Animal Protection Act that protect the rights of domesticated animals.

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