What is Animal Welfare?

Animal welfare is defined to be the well-being of animals, specifically in farms and such, which covers things such as their treatment and their living conditions. Ideal and good animal welfare would consist of receiving necessary nutrients, having a safe shelter, being treated and handled with care, and so on. The opposite, where animals lack these conditions, would be poor and inadequate animal welfare. To ensure that animal welfare is in fact adequate and in benefit for the animals, the Animal Veterinary Medical Association implemented a set of principles that are meant to for advancing policies regarding animal welfare, and they are as follows; “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. Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, provided a humane death.” Although there are many more principles provided, these are just a few of them, just so you can get a basic understanding of them. There are many things that can be done in regards of animal welfare, for example using animal cruelty free products, fostering animals in need of homes, volunteering in local animal shelters, and overall researching and educating yourself around the topic.