What's special about YOUR animal?
Every species has specific welfare needs and requires different care and conditions. You can't feed a dog and a horse the same way! Every species of animal has evolved specific, characteristic features because they helped them survive and thrive in a particular environmental niche.
In animal welfare science these genetically encoded, evolved characteristics are collectively called their telos! You can also think of it as their natural history, or their 'nature'.
It starts with you:
Every species has a characteristic telos. Telos includes the characteristic anatomy (body structure); physiology (body function); ethology (behavoiur); and cognition (how they think and learn).
How much do you know about YOUR animal's telos?
The more you know about the natural or evolutionary history of the animal you are responsible for, the easier it will be to deduce the types of conditions they can survive and thrive in, and those that may place them at risk. Of course, it is also important to get to know them a individuals! Whoever spends most time with a particular animal will be best placed to notice minute changes as soon as they happen.
It takes a village...
While it is always good to keep learning and become very knowledgeable, remember that you are not alone. Caring for animals can be hard work and there will be times when you need additional support. For example, you might need advice or want to check your judgement or decisions with someone you trust.
In many cases it is great to have a knowledgeable and trusted friend to evaluate your animal's welfare and management using the Mellorater app. It is easy for us to become gradually desensitised and fail to notice changes to our animal's physical or mental states. This is especially the case when our animal is ageing, or they have a slow-onset, chronic condition. You can then discuss and contrast the results, and the evidence that was used to reach those conclusions.
Find the right experts:
There is a wide range of animal healthcare professionals who can help keep your animal in optimal health: veterinarians, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, farriers (for hoofed animals) and physios or body therapists.
There are also ethologists (animal behaviour specialists) and animal trainers can help ensure your animal interacts appropriately with their surroundings, other animals and humans. To ensure good mental health.
