Animal Welfare - Full Semester Study Guide Breakdown

What is animal welfare?

The physical and mental state of an animal as it copes with its environment

What determines animal welfare?

Biological functioning, affective state, and natural living

What does good welfare include?

-Health

-Comfort

-Nutrition

-Safety

-Normal Behavior

-Absence of Pain/Distress

What roles do vets play in welfare?

-Evaluating Welfare

-Relieving Suffering

-Advising Owners

-Educating the Public

-Policy Involvement

How do vets impact welfare inside clinics?

-Exams

-Treatment

-Low-Stress Handling

-Pain Control

How do vets impact welfare outside clinics?

-Standards

-Laws

-Audits

-Education

-Interagency Work

Which groups do vets interact with?

-Clients

-Vets

-Students

-Public

-Media

-Agencies

-Interest Groups

What are the Five Freedoms?

Freedom From:

-Hunger/Thirst

-Discomfort

-Pain/Disease

-Fear/Distress

+ The ability to express Normal Behavior

What does freedom from hunger/thirst refer to?

Access to fresh water and an appropriate diet

What does freedom from discomfort refer to?

Proper environment, including shelter and rest areas

What does freedom from pain/injury/disease refer to?

Prevention and rapid diagnosis/treatment when problems do arise

What does freedom from fear/distress refer to?

Avoid mental suffering

What does the freedom to express natural behavior refer to?

Space, facilities, and social companions

What are the 3Rs?

-Replacement

-Reduction

-Refinement

What is Replacement?

Using non-animal alternatives where possible

What is Reduction?

Using the minimum number of animals needed

What is Refinement?

Improving procedures to minimize pain/distress

What are the 3 Circles?

-Biological Function

-Affective States

-Natural Living

What does Biological Function refer to?

Health, physiology, and productivity

What does Affective State refer to?

Emotional experiences like pleasure, pain, and fear

What does Natural Living refer to?

Ability to perform species-typical behaviors

What are the 5 Domains?

-Nutrition

-Environment

-Health

-Behavior

-Mental State

What does the Mental State domain represent?

Overall emotional experience resulting from the other 4 domains

How can welfare be improved for hospitalized animals?

-Environmental mitigation

-Enrichment

-Gentle interactions

-Low-Stress enclosures

What are some examplkes of enrichment in clinics?

Toys, hiding spaces, perches, scent items

How can humans improve animal welfare in clinics?

Gentle handling, reducing fear, owner presence when appropriate

What physiological measures assess welfare?

-Cortisol

-HR

-RR

-Immune Markers

-Hormones

What are the Pros of physiological measures?

-Objective

-Quantifiable

What are the Cons of physiological measures?

-Non-specific

-May be invasive

-Context required

What Behavioral measures assess welfare?

-Normal vs. Abnormal behavior

-Social behavior

-Activity

What are some Pros of Behavioral measures?

-Sensitive

-Early welfare indicators

What are some Cons of Behavioral mesures?

-Observer bias

-Species expertise is required

What are Abnormal behaviors?

Behavior outside normal fequency/pattern for species

What are Stereotypies?

Repetitive, invariant behaviors without function

What are some examples of Stereotypies?

Pacibng, bar-biting, rocking

What is Displacement behavior?

Out-of-context behavior during conflict

What is Redirected behavior?

Behavior directed towards alternate target when original is blocked

What is Stress?

Any challenge causing physical/emotional/physiological strain

What is Eustress?

Positive stress perceived as challenge

What is Distress?

Negative stress causing harm

What are some Long-Term effects of Chronic Stress?

-Immunosuppression

-Inflammation

-Poor Healing

-Reduced Growth

Describe the HPA Axis

Stress -> Hypothalamus -> CRH -> Pituitary -> ACTH -> Adrenal Cortex -> Cortisol

What are Preference Tests?

Tests giving animals choices to determine preferred resources

What are some Limitations of Preference Tests?

-Novelty

-Short-term preferences

-Lesser-of-two-evils issues

What are motivation tests?

Tests measuring effort an animal exerts to access resources

Example of motivation tests?

Lame broilers consuming carprofen feed to relieve pain

Define Animal Ethics

Study of moral issues regarding human-animal relationsips

Describe Utilitarianism

Maximizing total welfare; balances costs and benefits

Describe Animal Rights theory

Animals have intrinsic rights; reject exploitation

Describe Relational Ethics

Moral obligations vary with relationship to animal

Describe contractarianism

Animals matter morally only because humans value them

Describe stewardship

Humans responsible for the care of animals

Describe environmental ethics

Focus on ecosystems and biodiversity rather than individuals

What influences attitudes towards animals?

-Age

-Income

-Religion

-Culture

-Pet Ownership

-Education

How do religion and culture affect welfare views?

Practices like kosher/halal, foi gras, etc. shape beliefs

What does the AWA regulate?

Transport, exhibition, reseearch standards for covered species

Which species are excluded from AWA?

Rats, mice, birds bred for research

What is IACUC responsible for?

Reviewing animal use protocols, minimizing pain/distress

What are animal-based measures?

Direct indicators like behavior, physiology, lesions

What are resource-based measures?

Housing, food, water, space, ventilation

What are management-based measures?

Handling, protocols, staff training, sanitation

What are some of the benefits of the human-animal bond to humans?

Emotional support, reduced stress, social connection

What are some of the benefits of the human-animal bond to animals?

Better care, stronger owner commitment

What causes compassion fatigue?

Exposure to suffering, euthanasia, and client grief

What are some symptoms of compassion fatigue?

Exhaustion, irritability, and decreased empathy

How can you reduce compassion fatigue?

Support systems, self-care, boundaries, counseling

Define animal abuse

Intentional harm or suffering

Define neglect

Failure to provide basic care

Define hoarding

Accumulating animals without adequate care

Waht is "The Link"?

Connection between animal abuse and human violence

What are some barriers to reporting cruelty?

Fear of retaliation, uncertainty, damaged client relationships

What are some of the welfare concerns of free-roaming cats?

High mortality, disease, starvation, ecological impact

Whar are some of the welfare concerns of ear cropping/tail docking?

Pain, complications, communication impairment

Whar are some of the welfare concerns of cat declawing?

Amputation, chronic pain, behavior issues

Whar are some of the welfare concerns of Brachycephalic breeds?

BOAS, heat intolerance, dystocia, eye disease

Whar are some of the welfare concerns of Confinement housing?

Restricted movement, stress, inability to perform behaviors

Define Depopulation

Emergency mass killing of animals during crisis