Factory farming, also known as industrial agriculture, is a system of farming that prioritizes efficiency and profit over animal welfare. Animals are often kept in cramped and unsanitary conditions, subjected to painful procedures without anesthesia, and slaughtered in inhumane conditions. It is estimated that over 99% of animals raised for food in the United States are raised on factory farms.

The concept of animal rights is a more recent development, emerging in the mid-20th century. Animal rights advocates argue that animals possess inherent rights, including the right to life, liberty, and freedom from exploitation. The philosopher Peter Singer is often credited with popularizing the concept of animal rights in his 1975 book, "Animal Liberation." Singer argued that animals have the capacity to feel pain, joy, and suffering, and that it is our moral obligation to treat them with respect and compassion.

The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, is also changing the way we interact with animals. For example, virtual reality can be used to simulate animal experiences, reducing the need for animal testing and exploitation.