The Five Domains Model: A Framework for Animal Welfare Assessment

The Five Domains model provides a comprehensive framework for assessing animal welfare that has replaced the older Five Freedoms approach by incorporating positive welfare experiences.

Key Facts

The Five Domains model was developed by David Mellor and colleagues at Massey University New Zealand
It includes nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioral interactions, and mental state
The model explicitly requires assessment of both negative and positive welfare states
It has been adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health as its standard welfare framework

Welfare Considerations

The Five Domains model represents the current scientific standard for animal welfare assessment. Unlike the original Five Freedoms which focused on the absence of negative states, the Five Domains explicitly requires assessment of positive welfare experiences. Domain 1 (nutrition) covers food, water, and body condition. Domain 2 (physical environment) covers thermal, physical, and other environmental factors. Domain 3 (health) covers injury, disease, and fitness. Domain 4 (behavioral interactions) covers intra-species, inter-species, and human-animal interactions. Domain 5 (mental state) integrates the previous domains into an overall welfare assessment including both negative and positive affective states. This model has been applied across species from farm animals to zoo animals, companion animals, and wildlife.

What You Can Do

Use the Five Domains model as a framework when assessing animal welfare situations
Advocate for positive welfare standards not just reduction of suffering in animal welfare certification
Support training programs that teach the Five Domains model to farmers and veterinarians
Apply the Five Domains framework when evaluating animal welfare claims made by producers
Share knowledge of the Five Domains model to improve public understanding of animal welfare science