The interaction between animals and humans dates back to the beginning of their existence. Considering this interaction, especially after the industrial revolution, the exploitation and abuse of animals by humans has reached a high and irreparable level. The development of technology has made this situation worse. Theoretically, solutions have been sought with animal welfare, new animal welfarism and animal rights approaches. The animal welfare approach has been full of shortcomings for animal protection due to its anthropocentrism and uncertainties. The new animal welfarism, on the other hand, is in a difficult position to defend, as it threatens to compromise in the struggle for rights. Real protection can only be provided on the basis of animal rights. Even if an international consensus on animal law has not yet been achieved in the international arena, there are two declarations that can be a guide or basis for future binding international regulations and national legislations. The first of these is the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights. Although this Declaration was created on the basis of animal rights, it has reached a new animal welfare line with some regulations. The second declaration is the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, which was originally prepared with the concern of animal welfare and aimed to be developed in this direction. Even if these regulations have not established an ideal protection, they can be deemed as important in terms of contributing to animal protection in various ways and shedding light on future regulations