ACAW Definition of Animal Welfare
(Adopted March 05, 2010)
Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal. Assessment of welfare includes consideration of the animal's health, behavior, and biological function.
AVMA Animal Welfare Principles
The responsible use of animals for human purposes, such as companionship, food, fiber, recreation, work, education, exhibition, and research conducted for the benefit of both humans and animals, is consistent with the Veterinarian's Oath.
Decisions regarding animal care, use, and welfare shall be made by balancing scientific knowledge and professional judgment with consideration of ethical and societal values
Animals must be provided water, food, proper handling, health care, and an environment appropriate to their care and use, with thoughtful consideration for their species-typical biology and behavior.
Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
Procedures related to animal housing, management, care, and use should be continuously evaluated, and when indicated, refined or replaced.
Conservation and management of animal populations should be humane, socially responsible, and scientifically prudent.
Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, provided a humane death.
The veterinary profession shall continually strive to improve animal health and welfare through scientific research, education, collaboration, advocacy, and the development of legislation and regulations.
Definitions of Animal Welfare
"The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment." (Broom 1986)
"Welfare is a broad term which includes the many elements that contribute to an animal's quality of life, including those referred to in the 'five freedoms' (freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from physical and thermal
discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour)." (OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines 2005)
"Welfare is a broad term that describes how well animals cope with their environment. Assessment of animal welfare should include evaluation of an animal's physiological and psychological well-being." (Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association 2004)
"Animal welfare relates to both the physical and behavioural health of the animal or species; therefore, good animal welfare is the providing of the correct environment and care to satisfy the 'five freedoms' for the animal or species concerned." (Simon Adams 2005)
"Animal welfare is where over time an animal experiences positive emotions that it values and is reasonably free from negative emotions that it would avoid." (David Main 2005)
"Animal welfare relates to how an animal is feeling, and this is determined by the factors included in the 'five freedoms.' " (Sean Wensley 2005)
"Animal welfare is the state in which an animal is in reasonable harmony with its environment, has adequate fulfillment of physical, health and behavioural needs and is not subjected to unnecessary or unreasonable pain or distress." (Murray Gibb 2005)
"Animal welfare is the acceptance of responsibility of all people to fulfill their calling as custodians of creation towards all animals with compassion, in order to relieve hunger, prevent maltreatment and alleviate pain and fear." (South African Veterinary Association 2005)
"Animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention, responsible care, humane handling, and , where necessary, humane euthanasia." (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association 2005 Directory)
"Animal welfare is the general physical and psychological well-being of an animal or group of animals." (Bonnie Beaver 1994)
"Animal welfare (well-being) is a state of harmony between the animal and its environment, characterized by optimal physical and psychological functioning and high quality of animal's life." (Hurnik, Webster, Siegel 1985)
"Animal welfare is the physical and mental 'well being' of a nonhuman animal while it is alive." (Barrows 1995)