What Animals Want: The Five Freedoms in Action
What Animals Want: The Five Freedoms in Action
Large farms where animals are crowded together are one place where ongoing stress will happen if farmers aren’t careful. The old-fashioned image of a small family-owned farm where chickens get to peck around outside and cows stroll through meadows, munching on grass, is not the reality on most farms today. On large industrial farms (sometimes called factory farms), animals are often kept inside huge windowless barns and never see the outdoors. Chickens can be so crowded together that they can’t spread their wings. It used to be common for some farmers to starve their egg-laying hens for periods of 7 to 14 days as a way of getting the hens to lay more eggs. Hunger shocks the chicken's bodies into molting (losing their feathers). After molting, chickens tend to lay more and larger eggs. But the periods of hunger cause ongoing suffering for the chickens. Today Canada and countries in the European Union have regulations that forbid forced molting on farms. The United States is beginning to adopt new regulations as well.
We all interact with various animals every day: they live with us as companions, work for us, entertain us, provide us with food, clothing and scientific knowledge. Apart from the care we give our pets, how much thought do we give to the needs of other animals? This book, written in conjunction with the BC SPCA, will alert readers to the Five Freedoms to consider concerning treatment of all animals that are kept in our care or whose well-being we might influence. This checklist, originally developed in the UK to help farm animals, includes freedom from hunger and thirst, from pain, injury and disease, from distress, from discomfort, and freedom to express behaviors that promote well-being. By following its principles with respect to animals, we can develop empathy and compassion that will enhance all aspects of our lives.
In the first 5 of 7 chapters, the author discusses each freedom in detail with examples everyone can relate to, often anticipating questions and posing situations for young readers to think about. For instance, farm practices are explained in accessible language with current information about ways animal welfare organizations are pushing for changes to benefit the animals. The author is up front with hard facts about controversial issues: imagine how vastly different the life of a zoo hippo is in a small concrete enclosure to that of its wild cousins. Nutrition needs are explained for animals in all seasons, with attention to specific reasons for some food dos and don’ts. Health checks ensure pets or farm animals won’t suffer unnecessarily, while cats kept indoors will be healthier, and dogs with ears and tail uncropped are better able to communicate their feelings and needs. Adequate shelter without undue confinement is key to reducing stress; crowded conditions, such as puppy mill situations, create emotional and physical trauma. Freedom from discomfort applies to suitable housing for the animals in our care, as well as consideration of habitat needs for wild animals. All animals want to express natural behaviours; chickens like space to take dust baths, large marine mammals cannot function well in the minimal space provided in captivity.
After examining each freedom, What Animals Want turns to looking at ways we provide assistance to animals whose freedoms are being compromised or denied. These include animal shelters that care for sick, injured or homeless animals, as well as organizations that investigate incidents of animal cruelty or provide rescue after disasters. Wildlife rehabilitation centres help animals recover and return to their natural environments. Animal activists work to raise awareness of situations in which animals may be harmed. The final chapter focuses on ways kids can help make a difference in the lives of animals. A full page of 10 ways to achieve that goal is an easy-to-read chart with accessible ideas.
The Five Freedoms are pictured together in a double-spread review in the “Conclusion”. An extensive “Glossary” defines the terms in bold throughout the text. A “Resources” list includes both print (children’s books) and online sources for more information. An index will be included in the finished copy.
Common myths are examined in a series of “True or False?” inserts. Many readers might be surprised to learn that milk isn’t good for cats or that all dogs don’t like hugs. Other inserts deal with “Care Tips” and “Did You Know?” questions. “Kids in Action” features achievements of young people taking on tasks like building dog houses for northern animal shelters, raising money for shelters by painting animal portraits, and raising public awareness about worldwide threats to birds.
Generous use of photos and drawings add the visual element to What Animals Want. Most photos show North American subjects, with the exception of a bird feeder on page 17 that features European species and a koala rescue in Australia on page 76. Full-page chapter opening illustrations set the tone in an appealing way.
This comprehensive and up-to-date book has a lot to offer animal lovers who can use its information to bolster their convictions about the need for compassion towards animals, or to share it with anyone concerned about issues frequently in the news. What Animals Want is a good introduction to the “Orca Think” series about world issues.
Gillian Richardson is a freelance writer living in British Columbia