What is animal welfare

IFAW is a conservation organisation that is rooted in animal welfare. In this blog, we explore these topics in depth and cover some of the work IFAW has been doing to promote and enhance animal welfare across the globe through our conservation and policy initiatives.

Defining animal welfare

Settling on a single definition of animal welfare can be difficult as it is such a broad concept, encompassing the wellbeing of animals in various contexts, including their physical, mental, and emotional states.

At its core, animal welfare refers to the quality of life experienced by animals. As stated on the IFAW policy page, animal welfare is about natural freedoms: the freedom to live and reproduce in a healthy environment, the freedom from hunger, the freedom from discomfort, disease, and distress.

As we discuss in our Guiding Principles, animal sentience is both a science and a philosophical position. Animal welfare science is concerned with making factual, objective assessments of animal welfare based on physical and mental wellbeing in relation to the quality and suitability of the environments that they are in. It also strives to assess the need for and impact of any interventions made.

From a philosophical position, animal welfare is a bit more complex. In essence, it requires that the use of any animals must be justified by balancing the benefit to wider society against the cost to the individual animal. Factory farming is a good example. From an animal welfare perspective, producing cheap eggs and meat for human consumption doesn't justify the suffering endured by the animals in these farms.

Are there any animal welfare laws?

There are a number of laws, guidelines, and legislations that have been passed around the world to codify the concept of animal welfare into law. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the UK is a good example of such legislation. Under the Act, owners and keepers of animals have a legal responsibility to provide for any animals under their care, ensuring all of their needs are met, including providing suitable environments and diets.

Unfortunately, there are many places around the world where there are no laws in place to ensure the welfare of animals. Despite animal sentience becoming more widely recognised (again, the UK is a good example here), many countries are still yet to formally put animal welfare laws in place.

The importance of animal welfare

Let's explore some of the reasons why animal welfare is so important and why it should be a priority for governments and conservation organisations.

Ethical considerations

Treating animals with compassion and respect reflects our values as a society. Many people believe that animals deserve to be treated ethically, regardless of their utility to humans. Ensuring good animal welfare aligns with principles of justice and empathy.

Environmental impact

The exotic pet trade, industrial farming practices, and other forms of animal exploitation can have significant environmental consequences, including biodiversity loss, deforestation, habitat destruction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. By promoting better animal welfare practices, we can mitigate some of these environmental impacts and promote sustainability.

Public health concerns

Poor animal welfare practices, such as the transport of wild animals through the illegal wildlife trade, can contribute to the spread of diseases that can affect both animals and humans. Ensuring good animal welfare can help reduce the risk of disease transmission and promote public health.

Economic benefits

From a purely pragmatic perspective, investing in animal welfare can lead to long-term economic benefits for industries that rely on animals, such as agriculture, tourism, and research. Healthy animals that are allowed to thrive in their wild habitats are crucial for preserving biodiversity and keeping the ecosystems healthy. Likewise, well-cared for domestic animals are more productive and efficient, leading to improved quality and quantity of products and services.

Examples of animal welfare concerns

It's important to centre discussions around animal welfare on real-world examples and practices. This is a pressing issue that is all too common, making it important to highlight specific concern areas.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.