Animals are friendly, gentle and sentient beings that should be treated humanely at all times. It is painful and cruel to see animals abandoned, injured or flipped over by an over speeding vehicle, scavenging in dumpsites or neglected along the roads or at the farms. Are we familiar with the animal’s welfare?

Animal welfare encompasses the living conditions of captive animals and/or animals under human control. Animal welfare is therefore a more general term that explains the past, present and the future implications of the animal’s state. The welfare of animals can be assessed through the five freedoms which are recognised globally. The freedoms are;

freedom from thirst and hunger by provision of ready access to fresh water in enough amounts and a well-balanced diet to maintain the animal health and body condition, freedom from discomfort by provision of an appropriate environment including shelter and a conducive resting area to evade the animals from the harsh weather, rains, winds and sunlight, freedom from disease pain or injury by treatment of diseases and conditions, freedom from distress and fear by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering, and freedom to express its natural behaviours achieved by providing sufficient space.

In the 21st century, the animal industry is still experiencing a lot of constraints despite the animal welfare legislation enshrined in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that sets out the obligations of animal owners or people in charge of animals. Factors such as diseases, pests and parasites, stress and nutrition have influenced the welfare of animals.
Good animal welfare can be achieved through proper nutrition, appropriate shelter, disease prevention and veterinary treatment, good management, humane handling and humane slaughter of animals. Good welfare attracts many benefits such as fast growth rate, good reproductive performance, reduction in production diseases, increased returns, increased milk and eggs production and prevention of zoonotic diseases. However, the poor indicators of animal welfare are varied and calls for need to alleviate and achieve an environment that is free from animal cruelty.

This is why Utunzi Animal Welfare Organization was born; to promote, champion for, advocate, foster and share animal welfare news, research, messaging, advocacy, policies and campaigns. We remain committed to creating a better world for the animals through our work and campaigns.

Utunzi Animal Welfare Organization is a registered non-profit that seeks to advocate for, sensitise, empower, and train individuals and organisations on farm animal welfare based on global and regional standards. Please support our efforts by doing a donation through the following ways:

MPESA Paybill: 303030

Account: 2045187503

Email: imocharles@live.com