The Five Freedoms and Fur Farming
Animal welfare takes into account both physical and mental states. Any animal that is kept by a human should be protected from unnecessary suffering.
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor
- Where fur farms fail: Restrictive feeding is often used to prepare animals for breeding.
Freedom for Discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
- Where fur farms fail: Foxes are kept in cages resulting in inappropriate physical environments
Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Where fur farms fail: Self-inflicted injury, injuries from other animals, deformities like bent feet, and high levels of infant mortality are common.
Freedom to Express Normal Behaviors by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
- Where fur farms fail: Cages prevent foxes from being able to run, forage, climb, dig, or hunt in their natural behavioral ways.
Freedom from Fear and Distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering
- Where fur farms fail: All the above contribute to the fear and distress of the foxes.