LIFT generated a lay language summary of positive animal welfare definition based on the scientific publication. This will be translated into different languages.
Positive animal welfare is defined as “the animal flourishing through the experience of predominantly positive mental states and the development of competence and resilience” (Rault et al., 2025).
Positive animal welfare is beyond the concept of good physical health and prevention or alleviation of suffering. Flourishing means that the animal is enjoying its life or experiencing a fulfilling life, driven by positive experiences, along with the possibility to learn, develop its motivation and skills, and continuously adapt to challenges in its life. The examples can include the animal having positive emotions, being engaged in rewarding activities, and experiencing supportive and fulfilling social relationships. Positive animal welfare can be measured over different timescales to provide a lifetime picture.
Technical report in Spanish: Raúl David Guevara, Heng-Lun Ko, Pol Llonch (2025). Bienestar animal positivo: un nuevo enfoque más allá de la ausencia de sufrimiento. Revista Ganadería.