ETHOS
A good life for all - animals, people and the environment.
Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa is firstly an animal welfare advocacy organisation, with animals and their welfare at the centre of our thinking.
Animals, and all other living and non-living things, are part of an interconnected system, and A Good Life for All embraces the concepts of One Health, One Welfare, and te ao Māori.
Our systems – animals, people, the environment and all that is in it – need the opportunity to experience positive welfare and to thrive. This requires a systems’ approach to animal farming, companion animal guardianship, and conservation.
Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa would like to see more animals, people and our environment in Aotearoa New Zealand having “a life worth living” and eventually, “a good life.”
ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE
Animal welfare science underpins our advocacy. Contemporary animal welfare science acknowledges animal sentience, meaning that not only physical but also psychological welfare must be considered when assessing their overall welfare.
FIVE DOMAINS OF
ANIMAL WELFARE
In line with contemporary animal welfare science, we think about animal welfare using the Five Domains framework. The Five Domains allow us to better understand the subjective experience of individual animals.
WICKED
PROBLEMS
Many of the issues that face us with respect to our use of animals are “wicked problems” – big, complex and tricky to resolve.
These challenges require a fair and just change process to enable successful outcomes for animals, people and the environment, and a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Human behaviour change is often a critical component on the journey to a better life for animals, and our ecological system.
We acknowledge that change often needs to be gradual, and that people need support to take steps in the right direction.