Most of the world livestock animals live in smallholder systems in low and middle income countries. Improving welfare in these contexts requires contextually appropriate, farmer-centred approaches.
Smallholder livestock welfare requires a different approach than welfare reform in industrial systems. Farmers who keep 2-5 animals as a critical livelihood asset are highly motivated to keep those animals healthy and productive. The barriers are access — to veterinary services, feed, water, and welfare knowledge — rather than motivation. Welfare interventions that improve productivity (disease treatment, nutritional supplementation, improved housing) are simultaneously welfare-positive and livelihood-positive. The most effective global welfare organisations in this space work with governments, extension services, and farmer cooperatives to embed welfare improvements in existing agricultural support structures.