Animal welfare concerns how the animal is doing, and how it experiences and copes with the environment it lives in, both physically and mentally.
In order for animals to have good welfare, there are a number of basic needs that must be met. In 1965, the English Brambell Commission examined the concept of animal welfare, and with “the five freedoms,” the commission summarized what was important for good animal welfare. These minimum requirements form part of the foundation for Animal Protection Norway’s work:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst – access to fresh water and a diet that provides good health and well-being
- Freedom from physical discomfort – living in a suitable environment
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease – through prevention, rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Freedom from fear and distress – living and being treated in ways that avoid fear and stress over extended periods
- Freedom to express natural behavior – including adequate space and companionship of animals of the same species
The point that is most difficult to maintain is freedom to express natural behavior
Animal Protection Norway believes that the biological, mental, and social needs of both domestic and wild animals must be respected. It is the duty of humans to ensure the welfare of domestic animals and to protect the natural habitats of wild animals.
For domesticated animals, animal welfare will be greatly influenced by the animal owner. The owner’s willingness and ability to acquire knowledge about the animal’s needs and natural behavior will be decisive for whether the animal gets its needs satisfied. The relationship between animal and owner is also important. Animals that are treated unfriendly or brutally will live with fear and thus poorer animal welfare than animals that have predictable and friendly owners.
What society considers good animal welfare is constantly changing. At the same time, Norwegian animal husbandry has also changed significantly. Today’s food production has a strong focus on increased production, efficiency and economic results, which brings different challenges for our livestock than in the old farming society.