Respect and love for animals are on the rise. Spain is still years behind other countries, but the situation for ARISTOPETS is gradually improving. Not only because, for many families, their pets are already “one of the family,” but also because there is growing interest in getting to know them, protecting them, and caring for them better. As well as living in harmony and communion with all the creatures on the planet.
At ARISTOPET, we are genuinely interested in all the initiatives and projects that safeguard the present and future well-being of pets. Some time ago, we told you about the Capital Animal platform. Today, we would like to introduce another initiative, which emerged at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
The Treaty of Lisbon, in Article 13, recognizes animals as “sentient beings,” and changes in legislation, both European and national, have multiplied the need for specialized training among those involved in human-animal coexistence from any discipline. As a result, the first edition of the UAB Master’s Degree in Animal Law and Society was delivered six years ago. It was the first master’s degree in Europe (at least for now) focused on this subject.
This is a professional specialization program with a strongly interdisciplinary character, as it aims to provide comprehensive training combining knowledge about animals from different fields. These include law, ethology, nutrition and welfare, ethics, artistic representation and performances, organization, and social responsibility.
The objective is to train professionals capable of managing the new challenges that society demands in relation to animals. The program aims to provide the necessary theoretical and practical background required by an interconnected society that is increasingly aware of the role that the proper treatment of animals plays in sustainable development and in civic coexistence.
It also aims to provide students with the tools necessary to understand the legal means intended for animal protection. This enables students to gain a complete understanding of how the law operates in this specific field, whether they wish to work as professionals, lawyers, or advisers in an animal production industry, veterinary clinic, training center, local, state, or regional government, nonprofit organization, international or governmental agency, or in academia and research.
To watch the master’s degree presentation video, click here. Also, if you would like to meet the director of the master’s degree, Professor of Roman Law María Teresa Giménez Cándela, and understand how this project came about, learn about the challenges facing today’s increasingly globalized society in responding to the changes that have taken place regarding animals, do not miss this interview. Finally, to keep up with the latest news about animal rights, learn about legislative developments and the responses provided by the courts, visit Animal Law.
We hope you found today’s article interesting. If you know someone who is interested in animal law and would like to learn more about it or even pursue it professionally, spread the word.