Animal welfare

Animal welfare is the extent to which an animal is healthy, feels good and can exhibit its natural behaviour in the circumstances in which it lives. Those circumstances are constantly changing. It is therefore important for the animal to be able to adapt to them. The welfare of animals in research and education is therefore determined not only by the degree of discomfort caused by certain actions, but also by the way in which the animal learns to cope with these actions. Housing and care throughout the animal's life and many other internal and external factors can also have an influence.

As a researcher, animal caretaker, student or teacher, you have a major influence on how an animal experiences its welfare in research or education. As the Animal Welfare Body, we provide you with guidance on:

• implementing best practices
• monitoring welfare/distress in an objective manner
• deciding on the destination of the animal after the research or education has been completed.