Rethinking the utility of the Five Domains model

Area of Science:

• Animal Welfare Science
• Veterinary Ethics
• Applied Ethology

Background:

• The Five Domains model is a widely used conceptual framework in animal welfare studies.
• Its application has expanded from experimental animals to diverse species and uses.
• Increasingly, it is applied as a tool for assessing animal welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the Five Domains model when used as an animal welfare assessment tool.
• To identify and discuss limitations in its current application.
• To propose refinements for its use and validation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the application of the Five Domains model as an assessment tool.
• Identification of limitations including reliance on expert opinion, lack of transparent aggregation principles, and absence of repeatability measures.
• Consideration of indirect impacts on non-target animals.

Main Results:

• The model's application as an assessment tool faces challenges with transparency, quantitative scoring, and repeatability.
• It overlooks indirect and unintentional welfare impacts on non-target species.
• Current deficiencies raise concerns about testability and potential manipulation.

Conclusions:

• The Five Domains model is valuable for systematically considering welfare compromise but is not currently fit-for-purpose as an assessment tool.
• Wider acknowledgment of its operational limits is needed.
• Prioritization of validation studies and model improvements are encouraged.