Contemplating the Five Domains model of animal welfare assessment: UK horse owner perceptions of equine well-being

Fletcher, K. A.; Cameron, LJ; Freeman, Marianne

doi:10.7120/09627286.30.3.003

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…There have been a limited number of studies to apply the Five Domains model to the welfare of pet dogs ( Canis familiaris ) (Littlewood & Mellor 2016 ; Ledger & Mellor 2018 ). Several recent studies have applied the Five Domains model to the welfare of domestic horses ( Equus caballus ) (McGreevy et al 2018 ; Mellor & Burns 2020 ; Fletcher et al 2021 ; Harvey et al 2022 ).…”

Section: The History Of the Five Domains Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking the utility of the Five Domains model

Hampton,

Hemsworth,

Hemsworth

et al. 2023

Anim. welf.

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The Five Domains model is influential in contemporary studies of animal welfare. It was originally presented as a conceptual model to understand the types of impact that procedures may impose on experimental animals. Its application has since broadened to cover a wide range of animal species and forms of animal use. However, it has also increasingly been applied as an animal welfare assessment tool, which is the focus of this paper. Several critical limitations associated with this approach have not been widely acknowledged, including that: (1) it relies upon expert or stakeholder opinion, with little transparency around the selection of these individuals; (2) quantitative scoring is typically attempted despite the absence of clear principles for aggregation of welfare measures and few attempts to account for uncertainty; (3) there have been few efforts to measure the repeatability of findings; and (4) it does not consider indirect and unintentional impacts such as those imposed on non-target animals. These deficiencies lead to concerns surrounding testability, repeatability and the potential for manipulation. We provide suggestions for refinement of how the Five Domains model is applied to partially address these limitations. We argue that the Five Domains model is useful for systematic consideration of all sources of possible welfare compromise and enhancement, but is not, in its current state, fit-for-purpose as an assessment tool. We argue for wider acknowledgment of the operational limits of using the model as an assessment tool, prioritisation of the studies needed for its validation, and encourage improvements to this approach.

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Section: The History Of the Five Domains Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking the utility of the Five Domains model

Hampton,

Hemsworth,

Hemsworth

et al. 2023

Anim. welf.

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“…The Sharp and Saunders humaneness assessment model [17,18] was developed specifically for assessing welfare impacts in vertebrate wildlife management and has been used to evaluate the impacts of trapping of various mammal species (Table 1). The Sharp and Saunders model is a specific version of the more general 'Five Domains model for welfare assessment', which evolved from its original use in research, teaching and testing and is now widely applied to the systematic assessment of animal welfare states in a range of contexts, (e.g., [12,[19][20][21][22][23]). Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) Padded and unpadded leg-hold New Zealand [26] * For results of assessments on individual mammal species/taxa see pestsmart.org.au (accessed on 13 August 2021).…”

Section: The Sharp and Saunders Humaneness Assessment Model Is Based ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Assessment of the Welfare of Trapped Mammals—Key Considerations for the Use of the Sharp and Saunders Humaneness Assessment Model

Beausoleil

Baker

Sharp

2022

Animals

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Scientific assessment of the impacts of trapping on mammal welfare is necessary to inform cost-benefit analyses of using traps in wildlife management, improve trap performance and trapping processes and develop international trap standards. The Sharp and Saunders humaneness assessment model was developed specifically for assessing welfare impacts in vertebrate wildlife management and has been used to assess the impacts of trapping various mammals. It is a specific version of the more general Five Domains model for welfare assessment which is based on the understanding that welfare state reflects the sum of the animal’s mental experiences. Our experience of applying the Sharp and Saunders model allows us to make key recommendations for those wishing to use it. First, the exact parameters of the trapping scenario to be assessed must be decided. Second, assessments should be based on published data, as well as integrating both scientific and practitioner expertise to provide rigorous and relevant outcomes. Third, conclusions about welfare impacts should be based on the appropriate indicators. As far as is possible, mental experiences should be inferred using animal-based indicators, and some representation should be provided of the scorers’ confidence in the data on which assessment is based. Careful consideration of these points will help optimize the value of information produced using the model for wildlife management decision-making.

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“…Awareness of the basic needs of companion and assistance dogs is likely of a reasonable level within many developed countries, yet these traditional conceptions have historically focused on welfare as defined by physiological ill health and stressors, in line with the well-known Five Freedoms [ 19 ], rather than the animal’s psychological and overall wellbeing. Mellor et al’s [ 20 ] Five Domains model offers a method of understanding both the physical and mental effects of working on Hearing and other assistance dogs.…”

Section: Research On Assistance Animal Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

Issues Regarding the Welfare of Assistance Dogs

Salmon

Driscoll

Paterson

et al. 2022

Animals

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While the roles and efficacy of assistance animals have received attention in the literature, there has been less research focused on animal welfare issues regarding assistance animals. This is a pertinent area, given the burgeoning of types of assistance animals, situations in which they are employed, and access issues arising from increased assistance animal engagement. Animal welfare as pertains to assistance animals is discussed in this paper with respect to overall research on animal welfare concerns in a variety of contexts, training and access issues, and legal and regulatory concerns. Relevant examples from global contexts, as well as the specific Australian context, are offered. Conclusions include that while human quality of life is often considered and protected in laws and policies, this is much less true for assistance animals. Additional attention is required to ensure that the quality of life of both persons with disabilities and their assistance animals can be ensured. Support for a person to meet the needs of an assistance animal, as well as considerations for keeping such working dyads together in changed circumstances (e.g., following a move to an assisted living mode of accommodation), are recommended.

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Contemplating the Five Domains model of animal welfare assessment: UK horse owner perceptions of equine well-being

Cited by 9 publications

References 34 publications

Rethinking the utility of the Five Domains model

Rethinking the utility of the Five Domains model

Scientific Assessment of the Welfare of Trapped Mammals—Key Considerations for the Use of the Sharp and Saunders Humaneness Assessment Model

Issues Regarding the Welfare of Assistance Dogs

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