Final answer:
The outcome for animals after their working days end varies by society, sometimes involving care in old age, being used for meat, sold, or euthanized. Concepts like pensions or retirement homes for animals are not common, although some sanctuaries provide care. Pastoral and agricultural societies differ in their treatment of animals, often influenced by their economic roles and cultural practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fate of animals once they are unable to work depends greatly on the economic circumstances and cultural practices of the society in question. In some pastoral societies, where animals are highly valued and essential for livelihood, there might be practices in place that afford the animals some form of rest and care in their old age. However, in many cases, when animals can no longer work or serve their economic purpose, they may be sold, slaughtered for meat, or otherwise euthanized if they are not capable of fending for themselves or if their care becomes too burdensome. The concept of a 'pension' or 'retirement home' for animals is generally not a common practice, though there are sanctuaries and shelters that provide care for elderly or abandoned animals. The sustainability of pastoralism as opposed to more sedentary forms of ranching joins on environmental harmony and economic feasibility. In agricultural societies, animals often have different roles and are kept in smaller numbers since crops are the primary means of survival.
Cultural attitudes towards animals greatly affect the outcomes for animals after their working lives end. For example, in some cultures, animals that are perceived as no longer belonging with the herd or have difficulty socializing may be traded or euthanized. In other communities, animals enjoy a more symbiotic relationship with humans, where they are cared for without being considered the 'property' of a person. In any case, the idea of retirement for animals is not directly comparable to human retirement, which has evolved over time to be supported by social systems like Social Security or pensions.