Animal welfare: what is it

Animal welfare refers to how an animal copes with its environment and living conditions.

Animal welfare is one of those hot button issues. Why?

• It can mean different things to different people.
• Animal welfare includes both science and ethics.
• Ethics are the moral principles that shape people's views and perceptions about animals.
  • Some people think it is alright to use animals for various things, like food.
  • Other people do not think animals should be used for food or other purposes.
• Science can help us understand how particular things that we do to animals affect the animals.
  • We can measure behavioral and physiological responses of animals when they try to cope with their environment.