Welfare Science

Animal Welfare and Human Wellbeing Connections

Human wellbeing and animal welfare are interconnected in multiple ways including companion animal mental health benefits, zoonotic disease risks, food system equity, and shared environmental health.

Key Facts

Companion animal ownership is associated with reduced depression and anxiety in many studies
Interacting with animals reduces stress hormones in controlled experiments
Poor animal welfare in food production creates public health risks through AMR and zoonosis
Communities with strong human-animal bonds show greater nature connectedness
One Health frameworks formalise the connections between human, animal, and environmental health

Welfare Considerations

Human and animal wellbeing connections provide powerful arguments for animal welfare investment that appeal to self-interest rather than altruism alone. Better animal welfare reduces pandemic risk, AMR, and food safety concerns while providing mental health benefits through companion animal relationships.

What You Can Do

Appreciate the connections between your own wellbeing and the welfare of animals in your life
Advocate for One Health approaches that recognise human-animal wellbeing connections
Engage with the evidence on animal welfare and public health to broaden welfare advocacy