Abstract: Farm animal welfare is a global issue closely related to ecological protection, social civilization, and economic development, and it is one of the effective ways to promote the sustainable development of animal husbandry. Based on the existing domestic and international research, this paper analyzed the historical evolution stages and characteristics of farm animal welfare in developed countries, integrated the "five freedom principles" of farm animal welfare and the "three connotations" of sustainable development, explained the internal logic and practical value of farm animal welfare in promoting the sustainable development of China's livestock industry, and discussed the ideas for promoting the development of farm animal welfare in China. Results show that farm animal welfare has become a widely recognized concept of sustainable and healthy breeding in developed countries. It has ecological effects of protecting the environment and saving feed resources, economic effects of improving breeding benefits and promoting consumption upgrading, and social effects of ensuring public safety and promoting social civilization. However, China's livestock industry is at a stage of development, in which the dual constraints of environmental governance and feed resources shortage continue to strengthen, the quality benefits and competitiveness of livestock products still need to be continuously improved, and the construction of a healthy China and moral and legal systems continue to advance. Farm animal welfare can effectively promote the sustainable development of China's livestock industry by releasing ecological, economic and social effects. Therefore, to promote the sustainable development of China's livestock industry, this paper suggests to formulate and improve the system of farm animal welfare, to encourage and guide business entities to improve farm animal welfare, to popularize and deepen animal welfare education for the public, and to promote and strengthen the exchange and cooperation of animal welfare.