We believe...
All animals should have their basic needs met, which include:
- Freedom from thirst and hunger
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from distress*
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are supported by the Five Domains:
- Nutrition
- Environment
- Health
- Behaviour
- Mental State**
- Animals are sentient beings that can experience distress, including pain and sickness.
- Individuals have an ethical, moral and legal duty to care for animals.
- Standards of animal care and welfare should be based on sound science as well as societal values.
- The well-being of animals, people and the environment are inter-related.
- People who mistreat or neglect animals must be held accountable.
- In providing leadership in positive animal welfare and protection of animals.
- Our decisions should be based on the best available knowledge, which we gather by study, research, investigation, observation and/or experience.
- Humane education fosters empathy and respect for all living things.
- In developing and delivering methods of education and communication that increase people’s understanding of their responsibility for the welfare of animals.
- Educating animal owners of their responsibility for the health and wellness of animals is an effective means to promote positive animal welfare.
- Legislation in the form of the Animal Protection Act is intended to protect animals in Alberta from abuse or neglect.
- Legislation in the form of the Criminal Code of Canada is in place to address human behaviour in regards to animal welfare.
- In ongoing review and the continuous improvement of animal welfare legislation that reflects evolving beliefs about the value of animals within our society.
*These are the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, developed by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council.
**The Five Domains Model, developed by David J Mellor and CSW Reid.
