Animal welfare relates to how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives whilst providing for its physical and mental needs. Appropriate care and handling ensures a good state of welfare in terms of disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter. 

An animal is in a good state of welfare if it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behavior, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress.