Animal protection includes both the increasing awareness of animals as living beings socially, culturally, and politically speaking in need of protection from human cruelty, and institutional and legal systems for implementing such protection. As part of a broader movement, European animal protection had its roots in Christian tradition (Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas). Ancient philosophical traditions (Pythagoras, Porphyry) emphasizing kindness towards animals and vegetarianism were the subject of increasing reception from the 18th century.

At the dawn of the ear…