Science of Animal Welfare: Understanding What Animals Want

Animal welfare is the health and well-being of animals, allowing them to have what they want. It is difficult to find a definition that everyone agrees on, but the book provides a simple and accessible guide that emphasizes the animal's own point of view. It discusses the difficulty of studying consciousness in non-human species and highlights the close relationship between animal welfare science and animal ethics. The Science of Animal Welfare is an ideal companion for students, professionals, and anyone interested in animals and animal welfare.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Animal welfare is a complex and multifaceted concept that has proven challenging to define universally. It encompasses the well-being and quality of life of animals, including their physical, mental, and emotional states. While there are various definitions of animal welfare, they often vary in their scope, emphasis, and interpretation.

One of the main challenges in defining animal welfare is the inherent complexity of animal behavior and cognition. Animals have unique sensory abilities, emotions, and cognitive processes that make it difficult to understand their needs and preferences. This complexity can lead to different interpretations of what constitutes good animal welfare and how it should be measured.

Another challenge is the ethical and philosophical considerations surrounding animal welfare. Different societies and individuals have different values and beliefs about the treatment of animals, which can influence how they define animal welfare. For example, some may prioritize the use of animals for human purposes, while others may place greater emphasis on the intrinsic value of animal life and the importance of protecting them from harm.

Despite these challenges, there are efforts to develop a more comprehensive and scientifically-based definition of animal welfare. One approach is to define animal welfare as the condition in which an animal has the physical and psychological resources necessary to meet its biological needs and to engage in behaviors that are essential for its well-being. This definition emphasizes the importance of providing animals with a suitable environment, adequate nutrition, and access to healthcare.

Another approach is to define animal welfare as the state of an animal that allows it to express its natural behavior and to avoid suffering and distress. This definition recognizes the importance of providing animals with a safe and comfortable environment that enables them to engage in activities that are meaningful and fulfilling to them.

In addition to these conceptual definitions, there are various measures and indicators that can be used to assess animal welfare. These include measures of physical health, such as body condition, disease prevalence, and mortality rates; measures of mental health, such as stress and anxiety; and measures of behavioral health, such as aggression, socialization, and exploratory behavior.

However, it is important to note that assessing animal welfare is not an exact science, and there are limitations to the available data and methods. Different species and contexts may require different approaches to animal welfare assessment, and there may be trade-offs between different welfare measures.

One of the key challenges in improving animal welfare is the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves all stakeholders, including farmers, producers, consumers, and animal welfare organizations. This requires a shift in mindset

In conclusion, animal welfare is a complex and multifaceted concept that has proven challenging to define universally. While there are various definitions of animal welfare, they often vary in their scope, emphasis, and interpretation. Defining animal welfare as the condition in which an animal has the physical and psychological resources necessary to meet its biological needs and to engage in behaviors that are essential for its well-being is a promising approach that emphasizes the importance of providing animals with a suitable environment, adequate nutrition, and access to healthcare. However, it is important to recognize that assessing animal welfare is not an exact science, and there are limitations to the available data and methods. A comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves all stakeholders is necessary to improve animal welfare and ensure that animals are treated with respect and dignity.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 170 x 246 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198848998