Animal welfare is defined by an animal being in a good state of health, comfort, nourishment, safety, natural behavior and is not suffering from pain, fear, or distress.
Animal welfare pertains to the living conditions of animals who are kept in captivity or are otherwise under human control and how the animal is coping within those conditions. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling, and humane slaughter.
Animal welfare attempts to alleviate the suffering of human-controlled animals and to ensure a minimum standard of living conditions and treatment. Throughout the world, animal welfare is the topic of legislation, retailer standards, and codes of practice.
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Animal Welfare courses in the following subject areas:
Many Animal Welfare courses take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification.
Whatever career area in Animal Welfare you're interested in, finding some short-term paid or voluntary work will improve your prospects of getting a job and can give you valuable insight into how a company or institution operates. It may also help you decide whether you want to work in the public, private or voluntary sector.
You could consider work experience or volunteering to help in positions like caring for pets or working in dog kennels, on farms, or in veterinary practice for a sustained period.
It could also be useful to demonstrate your interest in working in a laboratory to show you are genuinely keen to work in this environment. This could include gaining some voluntary or part-time work in a laboratory or scientific setting to show you’re familiar with lab procedures.
Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. When working in Animal Welfare you will typically work around 37 hours a week. This usually includes some early morning, late-night, weekend, and bank holidays working on a rota basis, as animal care is needed 24/7. Part-time work may also be available for experienced and qualified technicians.
The work can be physically demanding and tiring, and you'll need a high level of concentration and attention to detail.
After completing a course in Animal Welfare you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as Animal Science and Technology.
Why is Animal Welfare important?
Animal welfare is important because every animal deserves to have a good life and there are so many animals around the world suffering from being used for entertainment, food, medicine, fashion, scientific advancement, and as exotic pets.
Raising animals humanely can use less feed, fuel, and water than intensive farming which in turn reduces costs and pollution. Humane farms can create jobs, boost profits and keep local food supplies healthy. By farming crops and livestock, humane farms can reduce environmental damage – recycling nutrients and improving the soil, so there is no reason why all farms cannot be humane and this is just one of the many things that animal welfare deals with.
What is the difference between animal rights and animal welfare?
Animal rights advocates believe that every animal deserves the right to live a life free from human control.
Animal welfare implicitly reinforces the human use of animals, because welfare is applied to situations where animals are under the control of humans.
What are the basic welfare needs for the wellbeing of an animal?
· The need for a suitable environment.
· The need for a suitable diet.
· The need to exhibit normal behavioral patterns.
· The need to be housed with or apart from other animals.
· The need to be protected from pain, suffering, and disease.
What skills could be helpful for a career in Animal Welfare?
Knowledge of areas such as animal physiology, biology, reproduction, behavior, welfare, training, conservation, pests, and diseases will all be extremely helpful for a career in Animal Welfare.
Practical skills like animal handling, husbandry, and training, as well as scientific research skills such as behavioral measurement, will also increase your career option in the field.
Explore your options here
