Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part D (2024)

The word "welfare" is applied to both humans and animals. An individual's welfare is determined by how well they are attempting to adapt to their surroundings, and adapting means maintaining mental and physical stability. Welfare includes an individual's emotions and physical well-being as well as the operation of several behavioural, physiological, and other adaptive systems. The study of animal welfare has shed light on a variety of animals' requirements and well-being. Animal welfare concern started after the publication of the book ‘Animal Machine’ and was formulated by ‘Ruth Harrison’, but now it become a major concern globally. Both governments and other non-governmental agencies are working for the welfare of the animals, and different laws and regulations are made for the welfare of the animals in every aspect. Various assessment parameters are there to assess welfare including health, production, physiology, and animal behaviour. Among, behaviour of the animal has the greatest value for the assessment. International traders are including animal welfare as a governing factor as consumers become more aware and want cruelty free behaviour with animals. This article discusses welfare and its different aspects, including history, various definitions, and the status of animal welfare globally.