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Q: What is the difference between animal welfare and animal rights?

A: There is no clear definition of these terms, but rather a philosophical perception of the manner in which societies view the utilization of animals. These perspectives may vary for each individual depending on religious background, species of animal, social perceptions, etc. Perception of animal use may actually be part of a spectrum of viewpoints. "Animal exploitation" may define one limit, while "animal rights" may represent the opposite boundary. The philosophical viewpoint of animal exploitation is that animals may be utilized for any purpose and abuse/cruelty may be incorporated. Of course, federal, state and local laws and regulations enforce legal limits on some types of animal exploitation.

The stance of supporting animal rights generally denotes that animals have natural rights and should not be utilized for food, fiber, recreation, or experimentation. The philosophy of animal welfare generally is intermediate to animal exploitation and rights. Animal welfare considers the reasonable use of animals for food, fiber, recreation, and experimentation, but with an attempt to minimize any pain and suffering. Usually, there is the utilization of sound, scientific-based information and methods in the production and care of these animals.

An individual's approach to which philosophy is practiced may depend on the species of animal. For example, an individual may utilize animal exploitation in controlling insects and rodents, but would view their household pets as companions possessing some "rights." Many Americans utilize animal products in their diets and by-products in their lifestyle, but require some assurance that these animals were raised and processed under humane production practices and conditions.

Updated: 04/16/97

Q: What is the general definition of neglect, abuse, and cruelty?

A: (Caution: these descriptions are not necessarily the legal definition of the terms.)

Neglect cases predominately involve the lack of feed and/or water accessible to the animal. Typically, the animal is reported to be emaciated in body condition but is otherwise healthy. Lack of attention to disease and injury can also constitute neglect. In some areas depending on local ordinances and regulations, lack of appropriate shelter or housing also can be considered neglect.

Abuse is the active participation in the physical maltreatment of the animal. Examples may include excessive whipping or beating, or the prolonged and/or inappropriate restraint of an animal.

Cruelty centers on psychological mistreatment which inflicts suffering and grief. These types of activities are more difficult to identify because it may depend on the animal's background, training, handling, age, species, gender, or previous experience. Frightening or teasing an animal may be termed cruel.

Updated: 04/16/97

Q: What methods or procedures can be utilized in assessing animal welfare or well-being?
A: Animal welfare and/or well-being is a complex issue dealing with philosophical, emotional, religious, and political components. Each component may be deep-rooted in a single issue. Science has a great potential to offer objective, factual information which may truly be the only element that assesses or evaluates the welfare of the individual animal. However, welfare is difficult to assess since the very definition of welfare is controversial. As early as 1965, Professor Brambell of the United Kingdom proposed the following definition:

"Welfare is a wide term that embraces both the physical and mental well-being of the animal. Any attempt to evaluate welfare therefore must take into account the feelings of animals that can be derived from their structures and function and also from their behaviour." (Command Paper 2836)

The challenge, therefore, is to assess a subjective concept utilizing indicators or parameters which are measurable. Thus an integrated system of indicators rather than a single parameter or discipline may be a favorable approach. These indicators may include the following:

*Physiological parameters such a biochemical or physical indicators;

*Pathological data may document factors of mortality or morbidity;

*Environmental indices such as space and its utilization, or quantification of light levels, air quality, temperature or relative humidity;

*Performance measures such as growth, production or reproduction; and

*Ethological (behavior) studies including species related normal and abnormal behavior sequences.

Even with an integrated or multi-disciplinary approach to assessing welfare, questions are still justified concerning which parameters are more reliable, how to interrupt conflicting data, and what magnitude of change is necessary before an animal's well-being is compromised. However, as more data are collected and published under both laboratory and field conditions, these concerns will become minimized.

Updated: 04/16/97

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