Five Freedoms For Animals - Dr Jo Sillince

VET Talk Radio Podcasts

5 Freedoms… Freedoms From Whose Point Of View?
Veterinary Professionals are by default often considered society’s arbiters of what really constitutes ‘best care’ for pets and livestock.
For years, variants of the RSPCA’s ‘Five Freedoms’ have provided the benchmark for humane animal care… but is a human’s perspective of best care… the RIGHT care?
Pets Australia Board Member Dr Jo Sillince suggests it might be time to revisit and perhaps re-think the 5 Freedoms which we have reproduced below....
1 - Freedom from HUNGER & THIRST: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2 - Freedom from DISCOMFORT:
by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3 - Freedom from PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE:
by prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4 - Freedom to EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR:
by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5 - Freedom from FEAR & DISTRESS:
by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Source: http://kb.rspca.org.au/Five-freedoms-for-animals_318.html