By choosing products with the label, consumers can be confident that the animal protein on their table was produced ethically, transparently, and responsibly. This means animals were raised in environments designed to allow freedom of movement, access to clean water, proper nutrition and handling practices that prevent unnecessary suffering.

The consumer: a driving force

More and more, consumers are seeking food with transparent origins and production systems that respect animal welfare. Choosing certified products is not just a purchasing decision, it’s an investment in a more humane and fair supply chain.

This consumer behavior drives demand and pressures the entire industry to change. When people prioritize products with the Certified Humane® label, they help shift ethical practices from being the exception to becoming the norm.

The role of retail and industry

While consumers are key players, the retail and food industries are essential for enabling large-scale change.

• Retailers have direct contact with millions of people every day. By offering certified products and communicating their value at the point of sale, supermarkets help educate consumers and make ethical food choices more accessible.
• The food industry, in turn, has the power to influence large volumes. When a company commits to using only certified eggs or meat in its recipes, it compels its entire supply chain to comply, raising the standard of animal welfare across the board.

This combined movement makes certification a strategic tool, one that aligns social responsibility, sustainability and competitiveness.

Certification is not marketing, it’s a guarantee

It’s important to clarify: Certified Humane® does not certify slogans, ad campaigns, or vague promises. What’s audited are the actual on-farm and in-plant conditions, verified by independent experts and based on science.

This means a product can only carry the label if its entire production process strictly complies with the technical standards and this compliance is continuously evaluated, not just during an initial audit.

A one-way path forward

The numbers highlight the strength and global reach of this movement. Since expanding to Asia in 2019, the Certified Humane® program has benefited more than half a billion animals only last year through inspections conducted in hundreds of farms and food companies, representing thousands of producers across more than 20 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Turkey, the United States, Uruguay and Vietnam.

The trend is clear: animal welfare is no longer just a market differentiator, it’s a growing demand from consumers and international markets alike.

Choosing products with the Certified Humane® label is more than a purchase decision, it’s a way to support a food system that is more ethical, sustainable and transparent. It also sends a clear message to retailers and the industry: animal responsibility is a non-negotiable value.

When consumers, retailers, and the food industry move together, the result is real transformation, one that benefits not only the animals, but also producers, companies, and society as a whole.

Animals subjected to stressful conditions during handling undergo different biochemical and structural processes after slaughter, in the period called “muscle to meat conversion”. This can alter the color of the meat, making it dark or pale depending on the situation, or making it tough and dry. In other words, there is a loss of quality in animal products.  

In addition to the physical and chemical characteristics of the meat (appearance, texture, flavor), which are directly influenced by the conditions the animals have had during their lives, ethical and environmental preservation issues are also part of the consumer public’s perception of the quality of animal products (which is becoming increasingly demanding). 

Animal welfare and the quality of meat and dairy products: how stress works

Animal muscles have energy reserves called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which are synthesized during life. After slaughter, this energy source is resynthesized anaerobically in the absence of oxygen. Lactic acid is then formed, which accumulates in the muscle and lowers the pH of the product, turning the muscle into meat.

When the animal undergoes prolonged handling stress, the pH reduction is slower due to the low production of lactic acid. With a high final pH, the meat will look drier and stiffer. This problem is called DFD (dark, firm, dry) and can occur in pigs and cattle. 

When the animal undergoes other types of stress closer to the time of slaughter – during transport until it is stunned, for example – high levels of muscle glycogen will lead to greater production of lactic acid. In this case, there is an accelerated decrease in muscle pH and the consequence is meat with a pale, flabby appearance that releases a lot of water. This problem is called PSE (pale, soft, exudative) and can occur in pigs, cattle and poultry. 

In both cases, the quality of animal products is affected, since both darker, stiffer meats and pale, flaccid meats are less acceptable to the consumer market. 

In addition to the quality of the by-products, the stress suffered by the animals as a result of inadequate handling, dehydration, prolonged fasting and poor living conditions can generally lower their immunity. This condition of immunosuppression makes herds more susceptible to disease, increasing producers’ costs for veterinary treatment and increasing the risk of loss of production.

How can animal welfare be assessed?

Concern for animal welfare is expressed in practice in care for the conditions to which livestock are exposed, from birth to slaughter. Among this care, it is important to highlight:

The animals must not go hungry or thirsty, being provided with food and water of sufficient quality and quantity for all;

They must not be exposed to discomfort and injury as a result of poorly maintained shelter and resting environments;

Medicines should not be used to enhance the growth of the animals, only vaccinations to prevent and medicines to treat diseases when really necessary; the focus should always be on prevention!

Animals should not be exposed to fear and stress during handling and contact with farmers; positive human-animal interaction has direct benefits for productivity and animal welfare!

Animals should live in an environment with space and conditions that allow them to express their natural behavior. Housing in cages or crates, or anything else that restricts animal behavior, seriously compromises animal welfare! 

All these conditions are verified in animal husbandry systems that undergo welfare certification processes. Increasingly, producers, companies and consumers are becoming aware of the importance of investing in animal welfare and improving management. 

This concern has an impact on the quality of animal products, so it’s an economic issue, but it also involves moral, ethical, health and food safety issues.

The award ceremony was attended by government officials and strategic partners, including Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro, who made a point of being present, and Joey Bacalla, the farm’s owner. Also in attendance was J. Signey, a representative from Global Food Partners, the organization that provided technical and strategic support during the certification preparation process.

The Certified Humane® seal is granted to producers who meet strict international animal welfare standards. In the case of Ilaya Cage-Free Egg Supply, this means raising hens cage-free, with adequate space to express natural behaviors, providing a 100% vegetarian diet with no preventative antibiotics or growth promoters, and ensuring low-stress handling with exemplary sanitary conditions.

These requirements are verified through independent audits based on scientific evidence, reinforcing the credibility and trustworthiness of the certification.

By meeting globally recognized standards, the farm positions itself competitively to serve demanding markets and consumers who are increasingly attentive to the origin and production methods of their food.

For the province of Cebu, this is also a concrete example that it is possible to combine economic success, sustainability, and respect for animal welfare. As Governor Pam Baricuatro highlighted, this achievement paves the way for other farms to adopt more responsible practices and benefit from the advantages of ethical production.

The certification process was the result of collaborative work between the farm team, animal welfare specialists, and Global Food Partners, which assisted in adapting facilities, training staff, and implementing the good practices required by the seal.

This joint effort shows that with technical guidance and commitment, it is possible to implement international standards even in local production contexts.

Ilaya Cage-Free Egg Supply’s achievement reinforces the expansion of Certified Humane® in Asia and the growing interest of producers in the region to adopt more humane and sustainable practices.

From now on, Filipino and international consumers will be able to find eggs bearing the Certified Humane® seal, with the assurance that they were produced with respect for animals, the environment, and the consumer.

Held in the city of Trichy, the event followed a Training of Trainers (ToT) model. Its goal was to equip thought leaders and technical multipliers with best practices for housing, handling, health, and the welfare of laying hens in alternative production systems — especially cage-free environments.

Certified Humane® was invited to share its technical expertise and present the criteria from its laying hen animal welfare certification program which is implemented in over 25 countries. Luiz Mazzon, regional director for Latin America and Asia, detailed the requirements farms must meet to achieve certification, all based on scientific evidence and objective animal welfare guidelines.

“This was an important opportunity to show that cage-free systems are not only feasible but also productive, technically sound, and increasingly demanded by consumers and global markets,” Luiz stated.

A transformative event for poultry farming in India

The training gathered key players in the Indian poultry sector: university and state veterinarians, experts from the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), representatives from the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), equipment suppliers, genetics specialists, and rural entrepreneurs. The aim was to understand, discuss, and scale practices aligned with animal welfare and responsible production.

The new training center will serve as a permanent space for capacity-building, research, and innovation. It is housed on a working cage-free farm, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in practical demonstrations of the concepts covered during the sessions.

Happy Hens as a practical example

One of the event highlights was the participation of Happy Hens, a Certified Humane® egg producer in India. Manjunath Marapan, the company’s general manager, shared their inspiring journey — from ethical beginnings to expansion into highly demanding markets.

Also present was Mathavan, owner of the model farm that now hosts the training center, who has been a key advocate for cage-free systems in the region.

“The Happy Hens case shows that producing with animal welfare in mind is not only ethical — it’s also strategic and economically viable,” Luiz Mazzon emphasized.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Animal welfare in India: Happy Eggs founder discusses egg market trends

Certification as a technical and marketing tool

Certified Humane® emphasized during the event that certification is a technical, transparent, and auditable process that brings benefits for both farm management and product value.

By meeting the program’s criteria — covering everything from space requirements per bird to feed, health, handling, and slaughter practices — producers align with internationally recognized standards. This can open doors to premium markets and enhance brand reputation among increasingly conscious consumers.

The organization also reinforced that laying hen animal welfare certification is accessible to producers of various sizes, including small and medium-scale farms, provided there is commitment to adapting handling routines.

A significant step for the future of poultry farming in Asia

Certified Humane®’s participation in this milestone reinforces its role as a trusted global reference in promoting ethical, sustainable, and technically sound production systems.

The Tamil Nadu training center signals a broader movement: the cage-free transition in Asia is no longer a distant vision — it’s happening now with support, knowledge, and a clear path forward.

The use of antibiotics to enhance the growth of animals such as chickens is one example. This technique can result in resistant bacteria, make it difficult to treat diseases in animals and also harm those who consume this food. 

Another serious problem when there is no care for animal welfare is zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Without good living conditions, it is easier for animals to develop diseases and after the Covid-19 pandemic this issue has gained prominence, not only among specialists and scholars on the subject, but also among the general public.

Faced with this reality and the need to improve farming systems to provide better living conditions for animals, did you know that consumers have a lot of power to promote animal welfare? The behavior of those who buy influences the processes and routines of those who produce. Find out how and why.  

How can consumers promote animal welfare?

There are several possible ways for consumers to promote animal welfare. The first is to stop buying products from companies that don’t provide good conditions for their farms. 

In the current economic scenario in Brazil and around the world, in which more and more companies face competition and need to differentiate their businesses, the word and actions of the consumer carry a lot of weight for companies to keep their products in line with the demands of those who buy them. 

One of the ways to find out if the company has this kind of commitment is to see if the packaging contains an animal welfare certification seal. This seal is a confirmation that the animals are given the proper care to develop their natural behavior, without being subjected to food deprivation or unnecessary stress and fear.

Another way to promote animal welfare is to encourage the sale of certified products in the establishments where you eat. Talking to managers and owners of markets and butchers, for example, asking for this type of merchandise, is a great way to demonstrate consumers’ concern for promoting animal welfare. 

A third way to promote animal welfare is to encourage friends, family and acquaintances to follow suit. When people understand the importance of the cause, they advocate the idea on social networks, in conversation circles, etc.

Why promote animal welfare?

Practices to promote animal welfare bring benefits to both producers and consumers. As we said at the beginning of the text, they are essential for health reasons, since well cared for animals are healthier and therefore less susceptible to developing diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Animals treated in good conditions also need fewer antibiotics, reducing the indirect intake of these drugs by people. 

Another benefit of implementing actions to promote animal welfare in production is the improvement in the quality of the product that reaches the consumer’s table.  

Food produced in compliance with animal welfare standards has better quality. 

Conscious consumption is a movement that is growing day by day. In 2016, a study carried out by the NGO World Animal Protection on consumer perception of animal welfare showed that 91% of those interviewed understood that there is a relationship between animal welfare and the quality of meat. 

More recently, a survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) showed that four out of ten Brazilians said they had already boycotted a brand or company for testing or mistreating animals and 37% said they were willing to pay more for products that did not cause animal suffering.

The urgency for production to promote animal welfare is a path of no return, and consumers can play their part in this chain in an active and informed way. If you’re not yet part of this group, it’s worth considering the subject further to understand the advantages of buying certified products. 

To find out more about this topic, check out the article: Everything you need to know about animal welfare certification.

While it’s well known that animals feel pain, pleasure, and happiness, it’s harder to recognize when they are irritated, stressed, or depressed—or to understand what bothers them. This lack of knowledge affects how we improve their living conditions and protect them from threats to their well-being.

The concept of animal freedoms gained traction in the 1960s, evolving into practical measures and guidelines that inform the proper rearing and management of different species monitored by certification programs.

In recent years, awareness about animal welfare has grown significantly, reflected in striking data. According to a recent Open Wing Alliance report, 89% of commitments to cage-free eggs with deadlines in 2023 or earlier have been fulfilled. This has freed hundreds of millions of hens from cruel confinement. However, despite this progress, approximately 4 billion hens remain in cages, where their inability to express natural behaviors compromises their physical and mental health.

In this article, explore the five basic freedoms of animals and how welfare certification ensures these practices are upheld by producers.

The Origins of the Five Freedoms of Animals

The discussion around animal freedoms gained prominence when governments, businesses, and consumers began addressing the topic in the 1960s in Europe, particularly in England, where the concept originated.

In 1964, British journalist and veterinarian Ruth Harrison published Animal Machines, which exposed abusive conditions in farming, such as overcrowded poultry farms, cruel cattle slaughter practices, and inadequate nursing spaces for pigs.

For the first time, the English public was confronted with the harsh realities of animal farming behind the food on their tables.

The publication shocked public opinion, prompting the British government to form a committee led by researcher Francis Brambell, a prominent figure in animal health and immunology.

A 1965 report from the committee revealed that many animals in England were kept in spaces unsuitable for basic natural behaviors. This report coined the term and principles that became known as the Five Freedoms of Animals.

Five Guidelines to Ensure Animal Freedoms

The findings of the 1965 report led to the establishment of the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979. This body created a document outlining principles that continue to guide best practices in animal welfare and related legislation.

This document is akin to a declaration of animal rights, listing the Five Freedoms of Animals:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst: Animals should have access to adequate water and food to maintain health and vitality.
2. Freedom from discomfort: Animals must live in environments appropriate to their species, providing proper shelter and resting areas.
3. Freedom from pain, injury, and disease: Caregivers must ensure prevention, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
4. Freedom to express natural behaviors: Animals should have the space, facilities, and social interactions necessary to express their natural behaviors.
5. Freedom from fear and distress: Animals should not be subjected to conditions that cause mental suffering, such as fear or stress.

Best Practices in Animal Welfare for Different Species

To ensure that various species are treated according to welfare guidelines reflecting their natural behaviors, producers must align their practices with scientific, technical, and practical recommendations.

Respecting and caring for animals reduces production costs, meets consumer demands for animal-friendly practices, enhances productivity, and ensures high-quality end products.

Welfare for Chickens

Proper handling and care in chicken farming are essential to ensure their welfare. Confinement prevents natural behaviors, while stress and fear weaken their physical resistance to diseases. Adopting cage-free systems is critical for their well-being.

Welfare for Cows

For dairy cows, safe facilities are necessary to prevent injuries, infections, and stress. Proper nutrition, clean environments, and sufficient space ensure they can express natural behaviors and remain healthy.

Welfare for Pigs

Pigs thrive in environments designed to meet their needs. Adequate space, safe infrastructure, and comfortable resting areas prevent injuries, stress, and behavioral issues. Proper ventilation and temperature control are also critical for their health.

Why Certification Matters for Animal Welfare

Animal welfare certification programs ensure farms, factories, and companies in the food chain comply with standards for species management and invest in research and education. These certifications guarantee that products meet stringent welfare standards, ensuring animals are treated humanely and that end products are safe and cruelty-free.

Elevated animal welfare standards result in higher product quality, reduced mortality, increased resistance to diseases, and fewer zoonotic risks.

Curious about how certification processes add value, differentiate products, and open new markets? Read more to find out!

The company recently launched India’s first cage-free training facility in the town of Perambalur, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. They expect to train more than 1,000 farmers annually. 

The training facility will enable farmers to use recognized animal welfare practices, which have an impact on egg quality.

Premium products

Happy Hens Farm has also invested in creating product lines aimed at specific consumer needs. 

The Fola+ Eggs line of premium free-range eggs is developed using a chicken feed enriched with special nutrients. According to studies, this diet increases vitamin B9, also known as folate, in the eggs of birds that consume this supplement.

The product acts on the health of red blood cells and the increased production of proteins, and is especially suitable for children and pregnant women.

Recognition

Highlighted by Forbes for its significant growth, Happy Hens Farm was recognized internationally in 2024 with the Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), in the Good Egg category. 

The company is the first group in the Indian poultry industry to receive this title for its work in reviving traditional and ethical practices in egg production. Through training programs, the company has promoted better job opportunities, healthier food and greater animal welfare. 

The CEO of Happy Hens, Manjunath Marappan, highlighted that the award is a reflection of the collective effort and passion of the entire team in sharing knowledge and sustainable practices.

“Receiving the Good Egg Award is truly an honor. This recognition inspires me and many farmers in India to continue promoting a positive farming environment for chickens, which impacts on higher quality for consumers,” he added.

Impact on the local economy

As well as offering training and market support, Happy Hens Farm works with native breeds of hens, which are better adapted to life outdoors. 

The cage-free egg production model is less intensive than the industrial one, allowing small farmers to keep up to 3,000 birds on their farms, compared to 20,000 in industrial environments.

The company has also generated consistent income for local farmers. A farmer with 300 chickens can earn around 10,000 rupees a month (around US$117), a significant income in India.

Manjunath Marappan points out that 100% of the eggs produced are sold, thanks to the adoption of an innovative program called cage-free credits.

With proper management and nutrition practices, it is possible to maximize productivity and take advantage of the potential of this growing market.

Both scientific research and field practices demonstrate that animals receiving nutrition tailored to their production stage, living in spacious housing conditions with good ambiance, and being handled positively to respect their natural needs are more productive.

Animals raised in environments that expose them to chronic stress tend to suffer from immunosuppression, leading to higher veterinary and medication costs due to increased sanitary challenges and mortality rates.

Under these conditions, certain species, such as pigs, gain weight more slowly, while laying hens experience lower-than-expected egg production rates.

In this article, learn about the main indicators that should be monitored to achieve higher productivity on farms.

The impact of animal welfare on productivity indicators

Ensuring the comfort and quality of life of farm animals can lead to significant gains for producers. Providing means for animals to exhibit natural behaviors impacts not only operations and animal health but also overall farm productivity.

Studies with poultry and swine farmers confirm that conscious management practices, both in daily routines and in animal transport operations, can enhance profitability and reproductive efficiency.

Some indicators can help understand how animal management routines influence production and how farmers can adapt diets, management, facilities, and farming environments to maintain performance while respecting the species’ natural needs.

Indicators in swine farming

The swine production chain is one of the most delicate, and careful, calm handling is one of the key productivity indicators in swine farms.

Critical indicators include:

• Cleaning protocols, health care, and treatment for sick or injured animals.
• Avoiding cages and using appropriate density in pens to minimize stress from overcrowding and competition for resources like water, food, and resting space.
• Establishing standard protocols for swine euthanasia and contingency plans for emergencies, such as fire, drought, or flooding.

Read more: Swine welfare: What is the ideal environment to prevent animal stress?

Indicators in poultry farming

Cage-free hens, when well-managed and cared for under Certified Humane standards, exhibit above-average laying rates for their breed. This reflects the positive environment provided, such as access to nests, perches, and dust-bathing substrates.

Key factors include:

• Housing that meets maximum density guidelines for the chosen system (e.g., bedding-covered floors, slat floors, or aviaries).
• External areas for free-range systems, ensuring maintained pastures and appropriate conditions.
• Housing and equipment must be clean and well-maintained to prevent disease and accidents.

Proper ventilation, temperature control, and lighting levels are fundamental for allowing hens to express natural behaviors.

Read also: Management of laying hens: Best practices and recommendations.

Key productivity indicators

For both poultry and swine farming, adherence to the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, established by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979, is fundamental to allowing natural behavior and preventing stress that can irreversibly impact productivity, meat quality, and egg production.

The Five Freedoms are:

1. Physiological freedom: Access to adequate food and water for health and vitality.
2. Health freedom: Prevention, prompt diagnosis, and treatment of health issues.
3. Behavioral freedom: Freedom to express natural behavior through sufficient space, proper facilities, and companionship of their species.
4. Environmental freedom: Suitable shelter and resting conditions tailored to each species.
5. Psychological freedom: Freedom from mental suffering, including fear or stress.

Specific indicators

Ammonia Levels:

• Poultry: Ensure proper ventilation to reduce air humidity and maintain dry bedding. Ammonia concentration should not exceed 10 ppm, with immediate action required if it reaches 25 ppm.
• Swine: Maintain ammonia levels below 10 ppm through effective ventilation.

Temperature Range:

• Poultry: Maintain an optimal temperature of 18-24 °C to prevent thermal stress.
• Swine: Maintain temperatures suitable for each production stage. For reproduction, 18-25 °C; for piglets, 23-30 °C.

Mortality and Euthanasia:

• Poultry: Cervical dislocation is permissible in emergencies. The method used should align with the birds’ physiological state and age.
• Swine: Immediate euthanasia is required for irrecoverable illness or injury. Procedures must be pain- and stress-free, performed by trained personnel or veterinarians.

Housing Density:

• Poultry: Density depends on the system. Cage-free systems require at least 1 m² for 7-11 birds, depending on the setup.
• Swine: Adequate space must allow pigs to lie, turn, and stretch freely.

Daily Feed Consumption:

• Poultry: Balanced diets with natural additives improve productivity without prohibited substances.
• Swine: Diets must meet nutritional needs for each phase, from piglets to lactating sows.

Certified Humane and productivity monitoring

All productivity indicators in poultry and swine farms are monitored under the Certified Humane certification program during inspections.

Curious about how certification processes improve farm productivity?
Click here to learn how to obtain an animal welfare certification.

Just as they can suffer and feel pain, animals are also capable of experiencing joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and other positive or negative emotions that a human being can experience. This is supported not by one, but by various scientific studies and the testimonies of numerous breeders and animal experts with years of experience.

Want to learn more about this topic? Follow us to understand more about why animals feel joy, sadness, pain, fear, and pleasure  just like you!

Animals have feelings

From birds to mammals, including fish and even mollusks, animals feel because they possess neurological circuits and structures that generate consciousness—even though it may be difficult for us, as humans, to interpret what they are feeling just by observing them.

This finding was published by the elite of the scientific community in 2012, in the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in human and non-human animals. The studies conducted and published in the following years support this declaration.

Here’s what the studies have revealed:

• American neuroscientists discovered that rats and mice have the same neural circuits that are activated when a person feels emotions.
• A study from Emory University in the USA showed that chickens have their own personalities, understand numbers, and feel fear, anxiety, and empathy.
• Primates and elephants have been found to possess a sense of justice (refusing to cooperate with those who mistreat them) and have even displayed episodes of revenge against aggressive trainers and handlers.
• Macaws, birds known for their beauty, remain loyal to their partners for life and may stop eating and die of weakness when they lose them.

The importance of ensuring animal welfare

It is common for breeders to claim that they follow all the legal requirements regarding the nutritional, sanitary, and vaccination needs of animals—however, animal welfare is often overlooked.

Simply providing conditions for the animal to stay alive is not enough to ensure they are free from pain and discomfort.

When the specific characteristics of each species are respected it includes providing appropriate environments and spaces for socializing, resting, and exercising their natural behavior. This allows animals to feel comfortable, secure, and well.

This also makes management easier leading to fewer losses and damages resulting in a  more valuable final product.

Moreover, ensuring animal welfare also attracts the attention and gains the trust of welfare-conscious consumers.

Conscious consumers

An increasing number of consumers want to know where their food and products come from and how they are produced, especially when it comes to animal-origin goods.

This is  not just based on simple curiosity: people today are demanding healthier food that is not the result of animal suffering or environmental damage.

This trend is so strong that many farmers in Asia are rushing to adapt to the new times and provide adequate animal welfare to their livestock.

Being aware that animals feel joy, sadness, pain, pleasure, longing, fear, security, and other emotions that we are accustomed to experiencing, is the first step in ensuring their well-being. This is beneficial  for producers and consumers, and excellent for the animals!

→ Learn how to obtain your animal welfare certification!

Just as they can suffer and feel pain, animals are also capable of experiencing joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and other positive or negative emotions that a human being can experience. This is supported not by one, but by various scientific studies and the testimonies of numerous breeders and animal experts with years of experience.

Want to learn more about this topic? Follow us to understand why animals feel joy, sadness, pain, fear, and pleasure just like you!

Animals feel

From birds to mammals, including fish and even mollusks, animals feel because they possess neurological circuits and structures that generate consciousness—even though it may be difficult for us, as humans, to interpret what they are feeling just by observing them.

This finding was published by the elite of the scientific community in 2012, in the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in human and non-human animals. The studies conducted and published in the following years support this Declaration.

Here’s what some studies have revealed:

• American neuroscientists discovered that rats and mice have the same neural circuits that are activated when a person feels emotions.
• A study from Emory University in the USA showed that chickens have their own personalities, understand numbers, and feel fear, anxiety, and empathy.
• Primates and elephants have been found to possess a sense of justice (refusing to cooperate with those who mistreat them) and have even displayed episodes of revenge against aggressive trainers and handlers.
• Macaws, birds known for their beauty, remain loyal to their partners for life and may stop eating and die of weakness when they lose them.

The importance of ensuring animal welfare

It is common for breeders to claim that they follow all the legal requirements regarding the nutritional, sanitary, and vaccination aspects of animals—however, animal welfare is often overlooked.

Simply providing conditions for the animal to stay alive is not enough to ensure they are free from pain and discomfort.

When the specific characteristics of each species are respected, including providing appropriate environments and spaces for socializing, resting, and exercising their natural behavior, animals feel comfort, security, and well-being.

This also makes management easier, with fewer losses and damages, and the final product is valued more highly.

Moreover, ensuring animal welfare also attracts the attention and gains the trust of consumers.

Conscious consumers

An increasing number of consumers want to know where their food and products come from and how they are produced, especially when it comes to animal-origin goods.

And not just out of simple curiosity: people today demand healthier food that is not a result of animal suffering or environmental damage.

This trend is so strong that many farmers in Asia are rushing to adapt to the new times and provide adequate animal welfare to their livestock.

Being aware that animals feel joy, sadness, pain, pleasure, longing, fear, security, and other emotions that we are accustomed to experiencing is the first step in ensuring their well-being. This is good for producers, great for consumers, and excellent for the animals.

→ Learn how to obtain your animal welfare certification!