Welfare Assessment

• Animal welfare assessment is the process of evaluating how well an animal is coping with its environment.
• It helps determine whether the physical, mental, and behavioral needs of the animal are being met.
• Provides scientific, objective, and standardized measures to judge welfare status.
• Essential for livestock production, research, companion animals, wildlife management, and policy-making.

Purpose of Welfare Assessment

• To identify poor welfare conditions and improve management practices.
• To ensure ethical standards in farming, research, and animal use.
• To support legislation and welfare certification schemes.
• To contribute to food safety, productivity, and sustainable systems.
• To strengthen the One Welfare and One Health approach.

Approaches to Welfare Assessment

a. Input-based measures

• Assess the resources and environment provided (housing, feed, water, stockmanship).
• Example: space allowance per cow in a shed.

b. Output-based measures

• Assess the animal’s actual condition and responses.
• Example: body condition score, injury rate, behavior, disease incidence.