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The 5 Domains of Animal Welfare
It's encouraging to see such a positive shift in how we define animal welfare. The traditional Five Freedoms framework, while foundational, centered on what animals should be free from (like hunger or fear). The more advanced Five Domains model goes further, acknowledging that for animals to experience optimal welfare – truly a life worth living – they also need to actively engage with and experience positive emotional and physical states.
The 5 Domains
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Nutrition: Providing animals with access to a balanced, nutritious diet and clean water.
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Environment: Ensuring animals live in a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment with appropriate space and resources.
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Health: Addressing medical needs, preventing and treating diseases and injuries, and promoting overall wellness.
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Behavioral Interactions: Providing opportunities for positive social interactions, mental stimulation, and the expression of natural behaviors.
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Mental State: Prioritizing positive mental experiences and reducing negative states like fear, pain, and distress.
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The 5 Freedoms
The 5 Freedoms were originally developed to ensure humane treatment of production livestock, but they can be relevant for all captive animals, including our dogs.
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Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor
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Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
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Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
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Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind
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Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering