Welfare Science

Animal Welfare Glossary and Key Terms

A glossary of key terms in animal welfare science, law, and advocacy to support informed engagement with welfare literature, policy, and advocacy.

Key Facts

Five Freedoms: absence of hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and ability to express normal behaviour
Five Domains: nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state
3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement of animal use in research
Sentience: capacity for subjective experience including pain, pleasure, and emotions
Welfare indicator: measurable aspect of animal state or environment used to assess welfare

Welfare Considerations

Understanding key welfare terminology enables more effective engagement with welfare science, policy, and advocacy. The vocabulary of welfare science continues to evolve as understanding improves. Building a shared vocabulary across diverse audiences strengthens communication and collective action.

What You Can Do

Engage with animal welfare science literature to build your understanding of key concepts
Use precise welfare terminology in your advocacy to improve credibility and communication
Share accessible explanations of welfare concepts with non-specialist audiences