16/1/2023 Philosophy and ethics(exam prep) welfare appraisals: Welfare appraisals are formal or informal assessments or checks on an animals health, welfare and condition. Most of the licence related welfare appraisals are carried out annually. Welfare needs The need for a suitable diet The need for a suitable environment The need to exhibit natural behaviours. The need to be housed with or apart from others. The need to be protected from pain, suffering, and ill health. These are important as they are indicators of good welfare. They also pinpoint the major needs for for each animal and how to care for them in the highest standards. Some examples: Dangerous wild animal licence Pet shop licence Boarding establishment licence Riding school licence Zoo licence Legislation that links to these The animal welfare (licensing of activities involving animals) (England) regulation 2018(AAL 2018) Some appraisals are carried out only when welfare concerns are raised for example RSPCA inspections. There is ae two type pf welfare appraisal. Formal appraisal: These are normally carried out by a governing body or an animal welfare inspectore They will follow a set procedure and document their findings using appropriate paperwork You will be writing one of these in your exam for question 1. Informal appraisal: These may take place in some buisinessess as good practice such as pet shops and would be done by the staff to check that the highest wekfare standards are being reached How to write a welfare appraisal: Clear sections linking to each of the 5 needs. Essay style writing-sentences and paragraphs (NO bullet points) Clear links to different legislations where needed Looking at welfare concerns/issues and how to improve them in a line with current legislation. Nutrition/diet Is water available? Does the animal appear to be well fed? Environment is the environment appropriate for the animal? is the area clean? Is the area safe? Appropriate shelter and bedding? Is the animal housed on its own or with others? Behaviour Is the animal behaving normally? Is there evidence of abnormal stereotypical behaviour. Health Is the animal in the appropriate condition for the species? Does the animal look healthy? Are there any obvious issues or injuries. Action plan If the welfare officers find anything that needs to be improved an action plan will be put into place This will have relevant and appropriate timescales for the animal’s welfare to be improved. This will be discussed with the owner/management agreed. Actions required in order of priority Reasons for the actions Timescale for the actions to be completed. Realistic Not to long Appropriate to the animal Actions required in order of priorityTo add more water supply to add more enrichment (hay or straw) Reasons for the actionsWhen evaluating the guinea pigs’ enclosures, I noticed that there were only 2 water bottles between 30 guinea pigs. This could lead to not all animals fairly accessing waters. Its vital that they all have access to clean water, as this is part of the animal welfare which sets high standards. When overlooking the enclosure, I noticed that there wasn’t enough straw and hay for bedding to create a comfortable environment. This is important especially during the wintertime as they could get cold, which breaches the welfare standards. Timescales for the actions to be completedThis action would take roughly 2-5 days to complete. I say this because in case it needs to be purchase. Once purchased, an appropriate positioning of the Bowles/shallow plate should be placed in the enclosure 1 day. It quite simple to retrieve some extra bedding and place it thickly in the enclosure to ensure warmth and comfort.
