Understanding the Importance of Animal Welfare

Published on: March 27, 2024

The use of animals in science and research has long been controversial, with a number of them having been harmed or abused over the course of the centuries. Today, animal rights advocates have successfully worked to create laws and regulations that govern the use of animals, yet there are still animal welfare issues to conquer in the United States and around the world.

Knowing the difference between animal rights vs. animal welfare and learning how to work with animals in a way beneficial and productive will allow you to explore career opportunities in zoos, conservation centers, farms, veterinary clinics and training facilities.

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What Is Animal Welfare?

Defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as both the physical and emotional state of an animal, animal welfare requires those who work with animals in any capacity to be mindful of the practices that they use and the conditions that their animal lives in. The AVMA notes that good animal welfare requires professionals to utilize both preventative healthcare strategies and disease treatment techniques, and may include:

Properly caring for the animal daily.
Providing any animal with appropriate, secure and engaging housing.
Managing the animal and handling it humanely.
Providing the animal with nutritious and enticing meals.
Considering humane euthanasia when necessary.

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

Scientists, researchers and animal advocates from around the world have agreed upon five freedoms that define animal welfare. First developed in 1965 by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in Great Britain, the five freedoms have become the standards by which most animal science professionals adhere to.

According to the Animal Humane Society, the five freedoms of animal welfare include:

1. Freedom From Hunger and Thirst

Animals being cared for and nurtured by humans must be provided with their basic dietary needs, which includes food and plenty of water. However, freedom from hunger and thirst requires animal caregivers and specialists to go beyond the basics — they must be able to identify the unique and specific needs of an animal based on their breed, stage of life and current health conditions. All animals deserve a balanced, nutritional diet carefully crafted to meet their needs. For example, a kitten will have different dietary needs than an adult cat battling feline leukemia.

2. Freedom From Discomfort

An animal's quality of life will have a significant impact on their emotional and physical well-being, which is why freedom from discomfort is incorporated as part of these standards. To ensure that animals are free from discomfort, animal caregivers and professionals should work to:

Provide the animal with appropriate shelter. An indoor animal should have a temperature-controlled environment that includes appropriate bedding and other materials. An outdoor animal should be in a secure and enclosed shelter large enough to accommodate their physical needs and aims to provide them with the climate and environment that they are accustomed to.
Ensure that the animal has adequate natural light, as this is crucial to their emotional and physical health.
Work to control noise levels in the environment so that the animal is not stressed or scared. This is particularly important in zoo and shelter environments, where animals may spend a long period of time in captivity.

3. Freedom From Pain, Injury or Disease

All animals should have access to a comprehensive care plan that prioritizes preventative treatment and ensures that the animal will receive prompt care in the event of illness or injury. Professionals who work with animals should make sure that animals are vaccinated, monitored on a regular basis and receiving all medication necessary for their health and well-being.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior

Animals should be allowed to exercise and interact with other animals in the way that they desire. Accommodating this freedom includes:

Providing animals with an enclosure large enough for them to move, exercise and play.
Allowing animals to interact with species of their own kind, as well as others, when appropriate and desired.

5. Freedom From Fear and Distress

Animals can suffer greatly when they are under psychological distress. When an animal's emotional health is poor, their physical health can be impacted as well. To ease any fear or distress when working with animals, you should create an enriching enclosure for your animals to enjoy and ensure that noise and light levels accommodate their natural preferences.

Why Animal Welfare Is Important

Around the world, far too many animals are used for the benefit of humans. World Animal Protection notes that animals are sadly used within the entertainment industry, as part of medical research, for fashion and as exotic pets. Knowing that animals are not being cared for and are being emotionally and physically harmed for the gain of others highlights the importance of animal welfare and the five freedoms that anchor it.

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare: What's the Difference?

Per the Animal Welfare Council, there are distinct differences between animal rights and animal welfare. Animal rights refers to the belief that animals have the same inherent rights as humans, and that animals should not be used by humans in any capacity. Animal welfare, on the other hand, recognizes that animals play an essential role in today's complex society, and when they are being cared for by humans, their physical and emotional well-being should always be a top priority.

Global Perspectives on Animal Welfare

Across the world, there are different perspectives and beliefs regarding animal welfare, many of which align with cultural norms and traditions in particular regions. However, overall, most animal researchers, advocates and scientists can agree that the five freedoms of animal welfare allow for animals to live a healthy and productive life.

Challenges in Improving Animal Welfare

While more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of animal welfare, and the steps that need to be taken to improve animal welfare in the United States and around the world, there are still some challenges to overcome. Some of the challenges in improving animal welfare include:

Overcrowding in shelters.
Increased demand for exotic pets around the world.
Changing standards and regulations that impact farmers and other professionals who work with animals.

How to Support Animal Welfare

You can support animal welfare in both simple and significant ways, as reported by the Humane Society of the United States. Some of the top ways to support animal welfare include:

Adopting a pet from a local shelter.
Donating your time or resources to a local shelter.
Advocating for animal welfare standards and regulations.
Purchasing cruelty-free products, such as makeup or household cleaners.

Why Is Animal Welfare Important? Learn More at Husson University

At Husson University, we offer an online Master of Science in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare degree that allows you to learn more about how the treatment of animals affects their quality of life. Whether you are an animal advocate who wants to work in conservation or an aspiring trainer who wants to spend their career working with animals, you will find that this degree program provides you with the advanced knowledge and skill set needed to succeed.

Request more information about our online graduate degree programs today.