WSAVA Animal Welfare Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and Veterinary Teams

This guide outlines contemporary animal welfare science and provides practical, evidence-based guidance for veterinary teams to integrate welfare considerations into patient interactions. It moves beyond the avoidance of suffering to promote positive emotional and social states. Key topics include welfare assessment using the Five Domains model, fear-free handling, ethical dilemmas such as cosmetic surgery and convenience euthanasia, and effective communication with pet owners.

Preamble; Animal Welfare Concepts and Science; Addressing Welfare Problems; Ethical Issues; Communication; References; Appendices