: Continuous access to fresh water and a balanced diet that maintains full health and vigor.

to ensure the physical and mental well-being of animals. While "animal care" refers to the actions humans take—such as grooming or feeding—"animal welfare" describes the resulting internal state of the animal. WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health The Pillars of Animal Welfare Modern welfare assessments often use the Five Domains

A welfare-conscious pet owner keeps their cat indoors . Domestic cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds annually in the US alone. Indoor cats live longer (10-15 years vs. 2-5 years for outdoor cats). Leash training or "catios" (cat patios) respect the cat's desire for outdoors while protecting wildlife.

Irresponsible pet ownership can have severe consequences, including: