Exam 1: General Concepts Flashcards
What is welfare (simple definition)
How well the animal fares (goes through life)
Other definitions of welfare
Physical and how animal copes with and body responses to stress
Actual state of an animal at a certain time ranging from very good to very poor
Quality vs quantity of life
Welfare concerns quality of life not quantity
Concerned with how an animal dies not if
World organization for animal heath welfare definitions (OIE)
How animal is coping with conditions in which it lives
AVMA welfare definition
Same as OIE
The state of the animal
Providing for physical and mental needs
AAHA
American Animal Hospital Association
Dawkins welfare definition
Animals are healthy and have what they want
Science, ethics, and law in animal welfare
Science - tells us what animals need
Ethics - tells us how we should treat animals
Law - tells us how we must treat animals
3 areas to consider when assessing animal welfare
- Is animal functioning well (health, productivity)
- Is the animal feeling well (absence of pain)
- Is the animal able to perform natural/species typical behaviors thought to be important to them (grazing)
3 circles
- Functioning - physical
- Affective state - mental
- Natural living - aspects of naturalness
Functioning circle
Physical factors that indicate health and physical fitness
Affective state circle
Absence of negative
Presence of positive
Natural living circle
Animals need to perform certain highly motivated innate behaviors typical of their species
Where to focus on in 3 circles
Focus on center where there is overlap between all 3 circles
Understand relationship among all 3 areas
Animal rights
Addressed legal and moral standing of animals in society
On far extreme - end use of animals by humans
Welfare as a continuum
Assess multiple areas of welfare and create an overall welfare score
Different levels of welfare continuum
Good welfare - a good life, mainly positive experiences and emotions
Adequate welfare - a life worth living, minimal suffering
Poor welfare - a life not worth living, all suffering
Animal Ethics
How and why one should take into account in moral decisions (not this course)
Mix of animal rights and welfare
Animal rights orientation - may seek to improve animal welfare as an intermediate step
Animal welfare orientation - seek welfare improvements, do not have animal rights as final goal
What approach should vets take
Welfare perspective and approach
Based on science, obligations, and vet oath
Responsibility for animal’s welfare to lead a good, healthy, and quality life
Animal welfare issues in US today
Behavioral issues, pain management, overpopulation, overworking, inappropriate diet, etc.
