Comprehensive Animal Welfare: Principles, History, and Stakeholders

Vocabulary flashcards covering definitions, philosophies, welfare principles, Five Freedoms, and key stakeholders related to animal welfare.

Welfare (general definition)

The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group; also aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need.

Welfare (state of doing well)

A condition of good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity.

Anthropomorphism

Attributing human characteristics or emotions to animals, objects, or nature.

Critical Anthropomorphism

Using human-based assessment as a starting point but qualifying it with the specific animal’s needs.

Sentience

The capacity of humans and other animals to consciously experience feelings as pleasant or unpleasant.

Animal Welfare (Seijan et al., 2011)

An animal’s ability to cope physiologically, behaviorally, and emotionally with its environment, including its own subjective experience.

Animal Welfare (quality-of-life view)

The overall quality of life an animal experiences and how well it is coping with its current situation and surroundings.

Animal Welfare (OIE definition)

How an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives, according to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

Ahimsa

The principle of causing no injury to any living being, central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Bishnoi Tribe Philosophy

Avoid eating anything animal and donate 10 % of crop harvest to wildlife.

Confucianism on Animals

Because humans share one-ness with all beings, animal suffering causes human distress.

Pythagoras Philosophy

Humans are similar to animals, so we should not eat them.

Stoics Philosophy

Animals lack rationality; therefore treating them fairly is not morally necessary.

Plutarch Philosophy

Even if animals aren’t rational, humans should still be kind to them.

Porphyry Philosophy

Animals merit moral consideration because they can feel distress.

Good Welfare: Healthy & Nourished

The animal is in good health and receives adequate nutrition.

Good Welfare: Comfortable & Safe

The animal enjoys comfort and protection from danger.

Good Welfare: Innate Behaviour

The animal can express its natural, species-typical behaviours.

Good Welfare: No Unpleasant States

The animal is free from pain, fear, distress, and other negative states.

Requirement: Disease Prevention/Veterinary Care

Providing healthcare and veterinary treatment to prevent or manage illness.

Requirement: Shelter & Management

Supplying appropriate housing and husbandry suited to the species.

Requirement: Proper Nutrition

Ensuring balanced, adequate food and clean water.

Requirement: Humane Handling

Managing animals in ways that minimize stress and injury during routine contact.

Requirement: Humane Slaughter/Killing

Ending an animal’s life with minimal pain, fear, or distress.

Animal Rights (moral worth)

The view that sentient animals have intrinsic moral value independent of their utility to humans.

Animal Rights (life & liberty)

Belief that animals possess the same right to life and freedom as humans.

Animal Rights: Prohibited Uses

Opposition to using animals for food, clothing, research, or entertainment.

Welfare Science

Field that studies the effects of human actions on animals from the animals’ perspective.

Welfare Ethics

Discipline examining how humans ought to act toward animals.

Welfare Legislation

Laws specifying how humans must treat animals.

Naturalness

An animal’s ability to fulfil its natural needs and express its nature.

Physical Status (indicator)

Biological measures such as health, reproduction, and production reflecting how an animal copes.

Mental Status (indicator)

Positive or negative emotional states, focusing on the animal’s subjective feelings like pain or pleasure.

Principles of Animal Welfare

Provide water, food, proper handling, healthcare, and suitable environment while minimizing fear, pain, stress, and suffering.

Freedom from Hunger and Thirst

Ready access to fresh water and a diet that maintains full health and vigor.

Freedom from Discomfort

Provision of appropriate shelter and a comfortable resting area.

Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease

Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury.

Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour

Sufficient space, proper facilities, and (if appropriate) company of the animal’s own kind.

Freedom from Fear and Distress

Conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.

Stakeholder: Farmers/Livestock Producers

Provide daily care, implement welfare practices, and directly influence welfare on farms.

Stakeholder: Veterinarians

Offer medical care, disease prevention, pain management, and welfare advice.

Stakeholder: Researchers

Study animal behavior and physiology to inform evidence-based welfare improvements.

Stakeholder: Consumers

Their purchasing choices drive market demand for higher welfare products.

Stakeholder: Welfare Organizations/Advocates

Raise awareness, lobby for policy change, and rescue or rehabilitate animals.

Stakeholder: Government/Regulators

Create and enforce animal welfare laws and minimum care standards.

Stakeholder: Businesses (Retailers/Food Industry)

Can require welfare standards in supply chains, influencing industry practices.

Stakeholder: Educators/Trainers

Teach the public and professionals about animal welfare, improving knowledge and practice.