The Five Domains Model: Positive Welfare

The updated Five Domains model explicitly incorporates positive welfare states as a goal, moving beyond the absence of suffering to actively promoting flourishing in animals.

Key Facts

The Five Domains model was developed by David Mellor and colleagues in New Zealand
Domain 5 was updated to include positive mental experiences alongside the absence of negative ones
The model assesses nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state
It is now used in zoo welfare assessment, farm animal welfare auditing, and wildlife care
The shift from the Five Freedoms to Five Domains represents a more nuanced evidence-based approach

Welfare Considerations

The move to positive welfare as an explicit goal represents a maturing of animal welfare science. Rather than simply asking whether animals are free from the five freedoms (hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, abnormal behaviour), the Five Domains model asks whether animals experience pleasure, comfort, curiosity, engagement and positive social interactions. This higher standard requires more from those responsible for animal care but better reflects what animals themselves need for genuine wellbeing.

What You Can Do

Learn about the Five Domains model and how it applies to animals in your care
Support organisations using Five Domains welfare assessment in farm and zoo accreditation
Advocate for positive welfare indicators to be included in all animal welfare standards
Apply positive welfare thinking to companion animals through enrichment and positive training
Follow the work of Professor David Mellor and Massey University on welfare science developments