Animal Welfare, Environment and Public Health

Animal welfare, in its most basic form, relates to people's interactions with animals and their responsibility to ensure that the animals in their care are treated properly and responsibly. Animal welfare is not a recent phenomenon, despite its present appeal. Since domestication, which happened at least 10,000 years ago in Neolithic times, there has been a concern for animal welfare. Animal welfare refers to an animal's quality of life, which includes how well he or she is coping with his or her current condition and surroundings. Animal welfare is vital since numerous animals are used for entertainment, food, medicine, fashion, scientific advancement, and as exotic pets all around the world.

Environmental exposures in domestic and wild animals can be used to confirm or inform epidemiologic investigations in humans. Animals may be sensitive indicators of environmental risks and serve as a public health early warning system. One Health is a philosophy that acknowledges that human health is inextricably linked to the health of animals and our shared environment. One Health is not a new concept, but it has gained traction in recent years. This is because a variety of reasons have changed how people, animals, plants, and our environment interact.