Laëtitia Maréchal, Justine Cole, Ana Maria Barcelos, Meagan King

Abstract

One Welfare is a concept that promotes the interconnection between human well-being, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the welfare of one influences the welfare of the others, and vice versa. Based on this approach, this chapter provides insight into two aspects of human-animal welfare (1) the impact of human-animal interactions on human wellbeing and (2) how human factors influence animal welfare. The first section explores how attitudes towards animals, types of interactions (i.e., owning, working, or sharing our environments with animals), animal-related activities (e.g., walk, feeding), and animal’s death affect human wellbeing. In the second section, human components influencing animal welfare are presented, including positive human-animal interaction, consistency and familiarity, attitudes and personalities, knowledge and experience, and animal caretakers’ well-being. When possible, each section is illustrated using examples from companion and farm animals as well as wildlife.

Reading recommendations

Broom, D. M. (2021). Broom and Fraser’s Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare 6th Edition. CABI.

Broom, D. M. (2014). Sentience and animal welfare. Cabi.

Daszak, P., Cunningham, A. A., & Hyatt, A. D. (2000). Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife–threats to biodiversity and human health. science287(5452), 443-449.

Fraser, D. (2010). Toward a synthesis of conservation and animal welfare science. Animal Welfare19(2), 121-124.

Fisher, M. (2019). Animal welfare science, husbandry and ethics: the evolving story of our relationship with farm animals. 5m Books Ltd.

Pinillos, R. G. (Ed.). (2018). One welfare: A framework to improve animal welfare and human well-being. CAB international.

Wells, D. L. (2019). The state of research on human–animal relations: Implications for human health. Anthrozoös32(2), 169-181.

Williams, L. A. (2021). From human wellbeing to animal welfare. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews131, 941-952.

Web resources and Presentation recommendations

Animal Welfare Slack webinars link here

One Welfare videos link here

Pet loss grief; the pain explained, Dr. Sarah Hoggan DVM | TEDxTemecula: link here (sensitive topic, viewer discretion advised!)

The Human-Animal Bond, Prof. Susan Little | TEDxOStateU: link here

What Being a Veterinarian Really Takes, Dr. Melanie Bowden, DVM | TEDxCoeurdalene: link here (sensitive topic, viewer discretion advised!)

What’s happening to veterinarians? Burnout and suicide are causing a crisis within the profession: link here

Activity

Ideas of animal welfare activities by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( RSPCA) for all ages: link here

Test your knowledge on animal welfare, take the quiz!

BBC bite size quiz: link here

The RSPCA the five needs quiz: link here