In this webinar, we will introduce participants to modern concepts, theory and practice of animal welfare. Through videos and discussions, we will explore essential elements within captive environments that promote positive welfare states, examine the most common conditions, practices, and situations that are correlated with diminished welfare, and introduce techniques to address these. 

Participants will learn crucial questions to ask about animal welfare conditions within their own facilities. This is intended to create a platform for beginning to examine how management and husbandry practices, as well as facilities and operations, influence animal welfare.

Who will benefit from this webinar?

This webinar is intended for anyone interested in an introduction to animal welfare, including animal caregivers, managers, directors, and veterinary staff interested in understanding the latest concepts in animal welfare and the application of best practice standards relating to these concepts. Zoos, sanctuaries, and zoological associations committed to developing their membership welfare programs will also benefit.

The only way to know if the care provided to animals results in good welfare, is to evaluate all aspects of animal care and management.  Wild Welfare US offers options for measuring and evaluating animal welfare.

Throughout the world, and across various sectors, a tried and tested methodology for raising professional, industrial standards is the quantification of those standards with an assessment (audit) against these standards.  This can be done either internally as a self-evaluation or by an externally by a third party.

In line with this approach, Wild Welfare has developed a third party, external audit process based upon an internationally-applicable Core Standard of Welfare Practice for Captive Animals . This provides a robust, evidence-based procedure for the systematic and forensic auditing of the welfare of animals in captivity by reviewing and evaluating a myriad of factors that influence captive animal welfare. The process is intended to encourage facility engagement aimed at improving practices and promoting further development towards best practices for animal care and welfare.

Who will benefit from this training?

This training is for institutions or organizations (such as zoo, aquarium or sanctuary associations) who are committed to excellence in animal welfare. Audits can be tailored to a single facility or used  for a group of related facilities (such as a regional or national association)  to examine animal care and management practices through the lens of a robust evaluation and auditing process. This webinar will provide detailed information on the Wild Welfare audit, explain expectations, roles and responsibilities for auditors and auditee, and describe the outcomes that the auditee can anticipate.  The intended outcome of Wild Welfare audits is always one of a collaborative effort to promote practices that assure positive welfare outcomes for all captive animals.