Animal welfare or animal well-being: Terminological use in zoo research and practice

Zoo animal welfare research is a rapidly developing field; however, there is considerable variation in how animal welfare is defined, both across disciplines and authors. This complexity is further complicated by the increasing use of related terms, such as well-being, happiness, and wellness, often with little consensus on their distinct meanings. This paper examines how the terms welfare and well-being are used in zoo-based animal research, exploring whether they are treated as interchangeable or fundamentally different terms. While some authors make a deliberate distinction between the two, a substantial overlap in definitions is evident across the literature, so much so that the distinction often lacks a logical or functional basis. To promote conceptual clarity and prevent further fragmentation of the research field, it is recommended that a single term be used consistently. Specifically, the term welfare is recommended, due to its established grounding in science. Furthermore, rather than reducing welfare to a singular definition, it is advised that researchers should focus on understanding and evaluating its key components, allowing for nuanced and evidence-based assessments of the lived experiences of animals housed under human care in zoos.

Citation

Stratford, L., Murray, L., Edwards, K. & Holmes, L. (2026 - forthcoming). Animal welfare or animal well-being: Terminological use in zoo research and practice. Animal Welfare, vol(issue), pages. doi

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Journal

Animal Welfare

URI

https://chesterrep.openrepository.com/handle/10034/630101

Type

Article

ISSN

0962-7286

Additional Links

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare