guiding principles contents 3 index 20 culling 5 preamble 20 domestic animals 20 domesticated pet animal 7 statements of principle 20 domestication 8 key principles 20 ecological sustainability 10 climate change 20 ecosystem services 10 community engagement 21 euthanasia 11 community animals 21 exotic (non-native) animal 12 wild animals 21 exotic pets/wild pets 14 food and farmed animals 21 farmed animals 21 feral animals 15 working animals 21 food animals 15 the use of animals in science 21 humane and in medical and non-medical 21 imperiled species preparations 21 intensive livestock farming 15 invasive alien species 22 inhumane 22 intrinsic value 17 key definitions 22 introduced species 18 animal 22 introduced alien species 18 animal welfare 22 invasive animals 18 animal welfare frameworks 22 livelihoods 18 banner principles 22 performing animals 18 biodiversity 22 pest 19 biological sustainability 22 pet animals 19 climate change 22 precautionary principle 19 community 23 sentience 19 community animals 23 sustainable use of nature 19 community engagement (including animals) 19 companion animals 23 taming 19 conservation 23 therapy animals 19 cruelty 23 training animals 23 unethical hunting 23 wild animal 23 working animals © Jessica Boklan 2 International Fund for Animal Welfare 3 Guiding principles animals and people thriving together preamble In order to achieve IFAW’s vision of Conservation decisions should to protecting wild animals and their animals and people thriving together, be guided by full consideration of habitats from human harm, whether we follow key principles in our work. ecological sustainability, biological caused intentionally or unintentionally. sustainability, and the precautionary Responsible human behavior should Conservation policy should be based principle. prevent, avoid, or at the very least, on sound science within an ethical minimize direct and indirect harm to framework that recognizes the Humans have a moral responsibility all animals. intrinsic value of individual animals to provide for the needs of those and species, and the welfare needs of animals who are dependent on animals as sentient beings. them. This responsibility extends 4 International Fund for Animal Welfare © Scott Anger x IFAW 5 Guiding principles Section 1 statements of principle 6 International Fund for Animal Welfare 7 Guiding principles © IFAW/Donal Boyd key principles animal welfare no matter what the perceived intrinsic value precautionary principle sentience sustainable use benefits might be, as outlined in IFAW supports sustainable use, in Animal welfare is both a science the Banner Principles. The notion of intrinsic value is shared In the face of scientific uncertainty The quality of life and suffering principle, as long as it is truly and a philosophical position. by many conservation and animal and contested information, IFAW animals experience is of moral ecologically and biologically Animal welfare science endeavors welfare communities. applies a precautionary approach to concern. Animals are sentient beings sustainable, as well as equitable and to provide objective assessments biological sustainability making decisions about conservation and, as such, their welfare should be humane and complies with the of the physical and mental Conservation’s traditional concern is and animal welfare interventions. integrated when formulating and Precautionary Principle. wellbeing of animals in relation to In order to ensure biological for the intrinsic value of species, IFAW believes that alternatives to implementing policy. Good welfare the quality and suitability of sustainability, populations of living habitats and ecosystems. potentially harmful actions must be (physical and mental wellbeing) is not environments they are in. When organisms should not be so heavily identified and prioritized, with the the just the absence of pain and justifying our treatment of and exploited or otherwise compromised Animal welfare’s traditional concern burden of proof placed on those suffering, positive experiences and effect on animals, we must that they decline to levels or is about the intrinsic value of proposing a decision that may cause emotions are critical to ‘a life worth consider why an action is conditions from which they cannot individuals. harm, whether by action or inaction. living’, one of the defining criteria for necessary and how it will affect naturally recover. good welfare. the animals. An animal welfare IFAW believes that all life has intrinsic philosophical position requires value. Individual animals, populations, science and ethics form that any use of an animal must be ecological sustainability species and the ecosystems in which the basis of policy justified and that justification must they live all have worth, for their own balance the ‘benefit’ to wider Ecological sustainability is vital for the sake, independent of their usefulness The process of science builds society against the ‘cost’ to the wellbeing of life on Earth and must be to humans. knowledge. Scientific knowledge, individual animal. There are limits the foremost objective in considered in an ethical framework, to what we should do to animals conservation. guides decision-making. 8 International Fund for Animal Welfare 9 Guiding principles community animals IFAW recognizes the value of the control of community mutilations of domesticated relationships people have with animal population animals domesticated (community) animals The wholesale killing of community IFAW opposes the mutilation of any for companionship and livelihoods, animals such as cats and dogs is not body part of an animal when it is done and the important role these animals an acceptable or effective method of for any reason other than the play in human communities. The population or disease control. protection of the animal’s health or for health and welfare of community Problems associated with population, fertility control in cats and dogs. In animals is integral to the health and behaviors and disease in these such instances, the procedure must wellbeing of humans, our animals must be addressed through be performed by a skilled veterinarian climate change community communities, wildlife and the community-wide acceptance of who ensures best practices. environment. Community animals responsibilities governing the must be provided with the resources existence, safety, and wellbeing of training of domesticated engagement and care they need to safeguard their these animals. Research shows that animals own wellbeing and to ensure they do spay/neuter and vaccination programs IFAW supports positive training Climate change has profound implications for individual Through community engagement, IFAW aims to not pose a danger to people, or wild are far more effective than culling at methods that reward animals for animals, populations and their habitats. In recognition of strengthen and nurture the relationships between humans and/or domesticated animals. controlling population and disease. desired behaviors. the magnitude of this threat, IFAW believes that the nations and animals around the world. of the world have an obligation to endorse and implement breeding of domesticated euthanasia the Paris Agreement and reduce greenhouse gas The lives of communities, the animals in their care and the animals When it is apparent that the quality of emissions to decrease effects of climate change. wildlife around them are inextricably linked through the The breeding of domestic animals life of an individual animal is, or will Individuals and communities can play their parts by habitats, shared resources and the interactions they have. comes with responsibility to ensure likely be, unacceptably compromised, As residents of the Philippines braced for the imminent eruption of reducing their carbon footprints through lifestyle changes IFAW is committed to respectful and inclusive engagement the wellbeing of the parent animals and this cannot be remedied or the Mayon volcano, IFAW helped to help alleviate pressure animals face due to climate that empowers communities to identify opportunities to and the offspring. This applies to prevented, euthanasia may be in the evacuate around 300 animals (water buffalo and cattle) from the danger change. address important wildlife conservation issues while immediate care, individual welfare, best interests of the animal. zone to temporary shelters. incorporating animal welfare considerations. and genetic health of the lineage or species. 10 International Fund for Animal Welfare 11 Guiding principles wild animals culling and pest control not therefore be kept in captivity financial gains over the risk for rapid conservation funding to replace determination of rights, powers and wild animals in sport The cruel and inhumane treatment of because of their complex social or species depletion, as there is no existing income streams that rely on obligations in relation to resource and entertainment animals under the guise of culling or environmental requirements. In inducement to preserve or sustain trophy hunting. allocation and management should be Wild animals should not be used for pest control is not acceptable. If particular, the keeping of wild animals populations. conducted within a co-management/ sport or entertainment in any manner animals are considered a nuisance as pets can be especially problematic hunting imperiled species community-based management that is inherently distressing or cruel because they damage property or as it is largely unregulated, creates