Animal welfare, while being a relatively new concern, is a very legitimate one with many ways to approach it. The ethical parameter is of course the first one that comes to mind. Animals, deprived of a voice, cannot explicitly raise their opinion, only show us, and it is up to us to take these signs into consideration. For centuries, animals were not believed to be capable of emotions; we now know that they are conscious beings and thus their welfare must be taken into consideration, just like that of children and people in general.
Another approach to animal welfare concerns their health, which is directly linked to ours. Every action we take towards animals impacts the individual, the herd, the farmers and their families, and down the line the people consuming their byproducts. Every antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, vaccine, or lack thereof, can have drastic consequences for countless individuals, regardless of the species. We cannot discuss animal welfare without mentioning zoonotic diseases either. Zoonotic diseases are pathologies of different aetiologies that are transmitted between animals and humans. As much as we can transmit bacteria, viruses, fungi and so on to them, they can transmit them to us.
In this article, we will do our best to clearly show how animal welfare and public health are directly linked, and why caring for our animals ultimately protects us.
The relationship between animal welfare and public health
Animal welfare is a very broad term. To assess it, a series of parameters such as space, bedding, floor material, sunlight, air quality; feed quality and hygiene is evaluated. It is not just an idea projected by humans onto the animals’ lives, but a complex analysis of one’s environment and quality of life to determine if the conditions are not only adequate but also optimal. Welfare applies to pets, farm animals, working animals, but also wildlife… and humans.
Over 60% of human pathogens are of animal origin, whether from wildlife, pets, or farm animals. This does not mean that animals are dangerous, but emphasizes their importance in decisions about our daily life and food consumption, as the impact they have on our own welfare is tremendous. Diseases such as Rabies, Salmonella, and even major epidemics like SARS, MERS, swine and bird flu, and COVID-19 have confirmed or suspected animal origins. Understanding this link is crucial to recognize that human and animal health are deeply connected.
The relationship between animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance
Antibiotics are vital for both human and animal health, as they protect us from bacterial infections that would otherwise be fatal. Unfortunately, misuse leads to the reproduction of resistant bacteria, and renders our antibiotics powerless. This applies in veterinary and human medicine, but the impact is often greater in farm settings.
Imagine being on a crowded bus during winter, surrounded by people coughing or sneezing. You would likely get sick quickly. Now, picture the same scenario in a barn filled with animals stacked closely together; poor ventilation, manure piling up, and stressed animals. High density, poor hygiene, and stress weaken animals’ immune systems, leading to more frequent infections, increasing the need for antibiotics. Incorrect treatment or missed withdrawal period can introduce resistant bacteria, and drug residues, into humans.
On the other hand, farms where animals are given adequate space, a cleaner environment and more attention tend to have healthier populations, lowering the need for antibiotics and thus risks for the community.
The relationship between good welfare and public health
We have established that a dense crowd is the best way to transmit many pathogens at a very fast rate, but what happens when we keep the density of a population to a more reasonable level? That population will show less signs of illness.
Reduced stress is directly translated into a calmer population, which leads to less abrupt movements, reducing the rate of injuries. A less stressed animal (or person as a matter of fact) will also have a better sleep cycle, will be more enticed to eat, will socialise more, and will generally care for itself better. These animals will also have a stronger immune system, reducing the rate of infections and thus the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and veterinary bills for the farmer. For the consumer, healthier animals mean a healthier family, but also a reduced price of production and thus purchase, and altogether a much better quality of meat, milk or eggs.
A farming system where the crowd is less dense also means that it will be easier for the farmers to care for their animals. The young will have more room to express themselves and grow at an adequate rate, the older animals will be able to grow old without injuries and infections going unnoticed, and the veterinarians will have an easier time diagnosing the individual instead of the entire herd. Feeding becomes easier as it can be more tailored to the needs of each group of animals, and overall, the health of animals, caregivers and consumers alike will be better.
Farming systems: welfare, ecology and public health
When considering animal welfare in the context of farming, we know that different farming systems have profound effects on animals, humans, and the environment. Large pasture farms look very good in our minds but such farming systems have limitations. Endless pastures often mean deforesting the area, which has a disastrous impact on the local biodiversity, but also exposes the animals to wildlife, which comes with a risk of injury and exposure to pathogens. They are also very labour-expensive.
The solution that was brought in order to combat this problem are the indoor, intensive farming systems that reduce the impact on nearby biodiversity, contact between wild and domesticated animals, and reduce air pollution for nearby inhabitants. Unfortunately, these farms are a real threat to animal welfare and a real reservoir of zoonotic pathogens due to the concentration of animals and their waste.
Smaller semi-outdoor farms are the win-win solution for the environment, animal welfare, and public health, but do not satisfy the increasing demand for animal products worldwide. Changing our consumption habits would be the first win for animal welfare, biodiversity and public health.
Micro-scale backyard farms where families raise a few animals are often very good for welfare but demand a lot of knowledge and proper veterinary oversight to avoid disease risks for both the animals and the families.
Conclusion
Ultimately, our consumption choices heavily influence farming systems, and thus animal welfare, local ecology and biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance and public health. Every individual, from farmer to consumer, is affected by the state of animal welfare worldwide. In short, protecting the animals we depend on directly protects us.
