2 Introduction
of working and to create a platform enabling the provision of exposure and
increased recognition of this work. A single concept connecting animal, hu-
mans, nature and their welfare appeals to many, and it is seen as something
that will help expand many welfare projects and programmes – and launch
new ones – for better animal, human and planetary welfare.
The One Welfare concept can help those working in veterinary practice
and animal welfare organizations to understand and recognize the inter-
connections between their work, focused on animals, and wider society. It
can highlight that the impact of their role goes beyond helping animals, and
helps to stop suffering more widely, reaching humans and society. Many,
in fact, might already have been working in this way during their careers,
without naming the approach as One Welfare. In a similar way, this con-
cept helps professionals working with humans – such as medics, nurses
and social services professionals – to better understand the interconnec-
tions of their work with nature, including animals and the environment,
and how working jointly with professionals in those fields can assist human
well-being aspects in different ways.
One Welfare can assist individuals or societies, without a broad per-
ception of the meaning of animal welfare, to fully understand the impact
improvements in animal care can have and the different societal areas that
relate to this. Some might say that this concept helps to take animal welfare
to a new level of understanding, integrated within other disciplines within
the One Welfare framework.
Respondents to the electronic survey included a number of profes-
sionals, such as:
- Those working in animal shelters, who understand clearly how their work
relates to animal welfare, human well-being and environmental aspects.
- Officials undertaking farm inspections, trying to improve welfare stand-
ards in small production units. Some noted that they have used ap-
proaches akin to ‘One Welfare’ and found this to be an effective way of
applying interventions. Officials also felt that One Welfare captures the
spirit of their duty to society and future generations.
- Officials at slaughterhouses, who noted that improving animal welfare
at slaughter would also help to increase respect for the staff, as in many
places this is not a very valued job, despite being very challenging and
difficult.
- Vets in practice, who acknowledged that they may come across human
frailty in their clients, but are not often equipped to assist at this level,
although efforts to build up support frameworks for domestic abuse,
for example, are being set up.
- Animal welfare scientists, who were very supportive of the concept of