The principles of animal welfare are based on the understanding that animals have inherent value and deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. The Five Freedoms, developed by the Brambell Committee in 1965, provide a framework for evaluating animal welfare:
The intellectual journey toward recognizing animal value has evolved over centuries through diverse philosophical lenses. The principles of animal welfare are based on
Governments worldwide are increasingly recognizing animals as —meaning they are capable of feeling pain and experiencing emotions—rather than mere objects. Animal Rights and Animal Welfare – What's the Difference? Animal Rights and Animal Welfare – What's the Difference
Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty explicitly recognizes animals as "sentient beings," requiring member states to pay full regard to their welfare requirements in policy formulation. While achieving absolute animal rights remains a distant
The trajectory of human civilization points toward an expanding circle of empathy. While achieving absolute animal rights remains a distant societal goal, steady advancements in animal welfare act as vital stepping stones.
The globally recognized framework for animal welfare is , originally formulated in 1965 by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Board: