Zoos, often touted as educational and conservation institutions, have come under scrutiny in recent years. While some zoos prioritize animal welfare and conservation, others have been criticized for keeping animals in small, unnatural enclosures, and for practices such as breeding programs and animal swaps. The debate surrounding zoos raises questions about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity, even for educational and conservation purposes.

Habitat destruction is a welfare issue on a global scale, as wild animals lose the environments they need to survive.

Despite their differences, both movements often work together on immediate goals, such as banning , ending trophy hunting , or improving the living conditions of livestock. The core debate remains whether the goal is to make the "cage" bigger and cleaner (welfare) or to open the door entirely (rights).