Animal welfare in context: historical, scientific, ethical, moral and one welfare perspectives

Mcbride, Elizabeth and Baugh, Stephen (2022) Animal welfare in context: historical, scientific, ethical, moral and one welfare perspectives. In, Vitale, Augusto and Pollo, Simone (eds.) Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series: Scientific, moral and legal perspectives. (The Palgrave MacMillan Animal Ethics Series) Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 119-147. (doi:10.1007/978-3-030-85277-1_7).

Abstract

The term animal welfare means different things to different people. For some, it is the application of scientific measures to provide objective data of how the animal is coping with its environment. For others, it (also) encompasses the notions of how an animal is feeling and the fundamental nature of what it is to be an animal. These conceptual differences mean single definitive definitions of animal welfare, and animal welfare science are elusive. Additionally, ethical, moral and practical challenges arise when physical, cognitive and/or emotional aspects of animal welfare conflict with human health and well-being needs. Although intended to be independent of ethical considerations, animal welfare science can influence moral discussion, economics, law and considerations of human welfare and environmental challenges. In this chapter, definitions of animal welfare and how they interact with animal ethics are considered, as are the “One Welfare” links between animal welfare, human welfare and environmental sustainability. Regardless of differences in definitions and application, it is concluded that we should strive to achieve the highest acceptable threshold for animal welfare in all the fields of human-animal interaction, to the benefit of all. It is increasingly clear that enhancing animal welfare positively influences the welfare of our own species. Thus, for altruistic or selfish reasons, improving animal welfare is the joint responsibility of all stakeholders, including, but not limited to food, biomedical and pet industries, owners, farmers, researchers, environmental agencies, government departments, consumers of animal products and products for animals, and the media in toto.

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