The Interface of Caretaker and Animal Well-being As a Critical Component of Sustainability

Abstract

The food animal industry has collaborated across supply chain sectors to develop and implement initiatives that promote the sustainable production of food and fiber. While sustainability programs aim to address all three pillars of sustainability equitably (e.g., environmental, social, and economic pillars), there is often a disproportionate focus on environmental and economic initiatives despite the recognized importance of the social aspects of a system, which includes human and animal health and well-being. Assessing human and animal well-being is complex, and while these evaluations are often perceived as subjective, many objective measures are available. For example, in food animals, there are many physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, stress hormones) and behavioral indicators (e.g., escape attempts, engagement in exploratory behavior, body posture) that can be used to assess welfare. Moreover, there is an inherent connection between livestock and the people who care for them, making it essential to explore the reciprocal benefits and challenges of human–animal interactions in livestock production systems. By promoting the health and well-being of both people and animals through positive human–animal experiences, the food animal industry can work to foster more sustainable food production systems.

Keywords

• animal welfare
• caretaker
• cattle
• human-animal interaction
• well-being