In order to assess the attitudes about farm animal welfare, a survey was developed and given to animal science faculty members in the United States. The survey was initially developed and tested using 34 faculty members from a Midwestern public university. The questionnaire was then sent to animal science faculty across the United States. The response rate was 45 % with 446 respondents. The following percentage of respondents agreed that the most popular methods of raising livestock provide adequate levels of animal welfare: layer birds (51%), meat birds (58%), swine (66%), dairy (84%), sheep (86%), and beef (87%). More than 90% of respondents agreed with general principles of animal welfare and that unnecessary fear and distress should be avoided. However, only 32% of the respondents were concerned with the distress that some routine husbandry procedures cause (e.g., castration without anesthetic). Level of concern was assessed with regards to various industry practices/outcomes. For example, 83% of respondents are concerned about flooring in intensive housing and agreed that it affects lameness; whereas only 16% were concerned about early weaning pigs. Gender and political ideology were significantly related to attitudes scores. Women with more liberal political views were more concerned about animal welfare. With more information about attitudes towards farm animal welfare from various stakeholders (animal scientists, veterinarians, producers and consumers), animal welfare scientists will gain insight into areas where more research is required and where gaps exist in accessibility of knowledge.