SEAT
Animal Welfare
WHAT IS IT ?
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Animal welfare refers to the relationships people have with animals and their duty to provide for the physical and mental needs of the animals under their care.
In other words, it indicates how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives and whether it is healthy, comfortable, well-nourished, safe, able to express innate and natural behavior and whether it is or not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear and distress.
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"Good" animal welfare standards are constantly under debate and review by animal professionals worldwide, but signs commonly include longevity, displaying low levels of disease, normal behaviour, physiology and reproduction.
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The "Five Freedoms" are a central theme to animal welfare. Developed by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979, they provide an outline of the five basic rights afforded to animals under human control:
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Hunger or Thirst
Provide ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health.
Discomfort
Provide an appropriate environment including shelter and resting area.
Pain, Injury or Disease
Prevent or diagnose in time and treat appropriately.
Express Normal Behavior
Provide sufficient space, proper facilities and company.
Fear and Distress
Ensure conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.
The Five Freedoms apply to all animals and they are widely known and used internationally to provide and look for to appraise welfare. Still, they outline an ideal output focusing solely on relieving suffering and not promoting positive states, and they are now becoming out of date as more useful concepts appear.
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You can visit the Animal Protection Index for an overview of the various indicators of animal welfare provision, in 50 different countries.
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