Animal welfare science comprises both social and scientific themes (1). Many definitions of animal welfare exist, and different animal welfare definitions and priorities have been emphasized. There is no universal definition of animal welfare, but Broom suggests that:
“Animal welfare is a scientific concept describing a potentially measurable quality of an animal at a particular time” (2). Animal welfare is also described as a continuum or spectrum from negative or poor welfare to positive or good welfare. An animal’s welfare state may fluctuate along this continuum depending on its access to resources, health status, and its physiological and psychological experiences. Animal welfare is potentially measurable, but welfare assessment is challenging.
This presentation will outline the scientific understanding of animal welfare and frameworks we may use to evaluate this concept. We’ll discuss the emotional lives of animals and what good animal welfare means to a variety of stakeholders – including the animals themselves!
We’ll also look at how personal, professional and societal ethics can influence our perceptions of animal welfare and some of the conflicts this may create, using examples from around the world to illustrate how the role and cultural value of animals may affect our ethical treatment of them.
References:
- Siegford JM, Bernardo TM, Malinowski RP, Laughlin K, Zanella AJ. Integrating Animal Welfare into Veterinary Education: Using an Online, Interactive Course. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 2005;32(4):497-504.
- Broom D. A History of Animal Welfare Science. Acta Biotheor. 2011;59(2):121-37.
Educational Topic
Animal Welfare & Human Behavioural Intersections