Welfare concepts

Abstract:

Welfare is a scientific concept that refers to all living animals including humans. The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. Hence welfare incorporates the individual’s feelings and health as well as the functioning of various physiological, behavioral, and other adaptive mechanisms. Research by animal welfare scientists has provided information about the needs of a wide range of animals kept by man. Knowledge of these needs allows the provision of conditions in which the welfare of the animals will be good. The relationships between the concept of welfare and those of health, pain, needs, stress, feelings, quality of life and euthanasia are discussed. There are many scientific measures of welfare used in research and also welfare outcome indicators that can be used when legislation or codes of practice are being checked during an inspection.