Is it Moral to Bring Animals to Space?

As the human race expands into space, it is nearly certain we will bring our pets with us — but is doing so morally justified? Image by the Cosmic Companion.

Animal companions have been a part of our lives since the birth of human civilization. As we extend outwards into the Solar System and beyond, it is nearly certain that people will want to bring their furry, feathered, and fishy friends with them to new homes away from Earth. The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not it is moral, and just, to bring animals with us, involuntarily, as we populate outer space.

Pets will have no choice in deciding whether or not to move off-Earth, as we cannot ask a cat or dog if they want to move to the Moon with us. While these creatures may be intelligent, feeling animals, they cannot grant consent to move across the street, much less to Mars. The idea of moving pets from Earth into space, therefore, is abhorrent to some animal rights activists.

Animals don’t generally like change, but they can adapt quickly to new situations on Earth, provided their regular routines are changed as little as possible. Image credit: Tania Dimas

However, many animal behaviorists hold the opinion that, while moving from one home to another on Earth may be stressful on animals, they can quickly adapt to a changing environment. This is particularly true if their daily routine remains as constant as possible, especially for our feline and canine companions. The same is likely to be true for travel beyond our home world.