Animal welfare incorporates complex philosophical and ethical issues that guide the way humans treat and interact with animals. It is a human responsibility. It is part of the culture - more developed in some cultures and virtually nonexistent in others. In many developed countries there are laws to protect animals, rules to regulate treatment and management of animals and an acceptance that society has a moral duty to prevent animal suffering.

Many people working in animal welfare refer to the Five Freedoms as the basic needs of animals, which should be met under all circumstances. They are:

• freedom from hunger and thirst
• freedom from thermal and physical discomfort
• freedom from pain, injury and disease
• freedom from fear and stress
• freedom to express normal behavior - by providing enough space, proper housing and company of animals of its own kind.