Animal welfare and the five freedoms

As an animal keeper animal welfare is the core of your work. Welfare is not just about the animal being healthy but about its entire experience of life — about whether it can perform natural behaviour is free from unnecessary stress and has an environment suited to the species.

The Five Freedoms were formulated as a framework for what an animal should as a minimum be assured of. They are used across agriculture, zoos, laboratory animals and companion animals.

• 01Freedom from hunger and thirst — access to fresh water and a diet that keeps the animal healthy.
• 02Freedom from discomfort — a suitable environment with shelter, rest and comfort.
• 03Freedom from pain, injury and disease — prevention and rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• 04Freedom to perform normal behavior — space, facilities and company of peers where natural.
• 05Freedom from fear and stress — conditions and treatment that prevent psychological suffering.

When you plan feeding facility setup and daily care you can use the five freedoms as a checklist. If the animal lacks opportunity to show species-typical behavior you can add enrichment — for example hiding climbing options or foraging activities that make the animal seek food.

Enrichment

Enrichment (enrichment) is measures that stimulate the animal's senses and behaviour. It can be physical (objects, structure in the facility), dietary (hidden or hard to access food), social (socialising with conspecifics) or cognitive (problem-solving). Good enrichment is based on the species' natural behaviour.

“A good animal husbandry is known by the fact that the animals have choices — to seek shade warmth company or rest when they wish.”