Five Freedoms vs. Five Domains
Whilst ZAA recognises the value of using the Five Freedoms for driving the prevention of negative welfare in animals, the Association applies the Five Domains for animal welfare assessment as this model allows us to progress beyond preventing bad animal welfare to include actively promoting positive animal welfare.
The Five Domains Model is considered more contemporary in the field of animal welfare science and was developed as a refinement of the Five Freedoms and a framework for overall assessment of quality of life.
John Webster, creator of the Five Freedoms explains, “the Five Domains approach provides an effective foundation for research and evidence-based conclusions as to the impact of the things we do on the mental state of the animals in our care. Moreover, it is one that can evolve with time.
The Five Freedoms are much simpler. They do not attempt to achieve an overall picture of mental state and welfare status, but the principles upon which they are based are timeless. Their aim is to be no more than a memorable set of signposts to right action.” (Webster, 2016)