Animal Care 101
This is the name for the science and art of managing and caring for domestic animals.
What is Animal Husbandry?
This freedom ensures animals have access to fresh water and a diet that keeps them healthy.
What is Freedom from Hunger and Thirst?
In Florida, these "tiny attackers" like fleas and worms never die off in the winter because it stays warm.
What are Parasites?
This person is the "hands-on" provider in a vet clinic who does the daily monitoring and care.
Who is a Vet Tech?
This daily task helps keep an animal clean and allows the handler to check for lumps, bumps, or bugs.
What is Grooming?
While husbandry is the work we do, this term describes the actual result—how the animal feels and functions.
What is Animal Welfare?
This freedom is provided by giving the animal a comfortable place to rest and a roof over its head.
What is Freedom from Discomfort?
To prevent this heat-related emergency, Florida animals need constant access to shade and water misters.
What is Heat Stroke?
This person is in charge of the housing, feeding, and breeding of large groups of farm animals like cows.
Who is a Herd Manager?
These are toys or puzzles used to give an animal "brain exercise" and keep them from getting bored.
What is Enrichment?
This is considered the "first line of defense" in animal health and involves giving an animal exactly what it needs to eat.
What is Nutrition (or Precision Feeding)?
This freedom means animals should be protected from physical harm and checked by a vet if they get sick.
What is Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease?
This is a set of rules, like washing boots and tools, used to stop germs from spreading between animals.
What is Biosecurity?
These specialists work at places like zoos to care for wild animals living in a domestic setting.
Who is a Zookeeper?
In a vet clinic, the golden rule of record-keeping says "If you didn't do this, it didn't happen."
What is write it down (or document it)?
Because animals in our care cannot provide for themselves, humans have this kind of moral "duty" to help them.
What is Ethical Responsibility?
To have this freedom, animals need enough space and the right facilities to act like they would in nature.
What is Freedom to Express Normal Behavior?
Florida’s very wet ground can cause this painful infection in the feet of livestock.
What is Hoof Rot?
This is the name for the "personal bubble" or space around an animal that a handler uses to move them safely.
What is the Flight Zone?
Herd animals like sheep or cows need this specific type of "friendship" enrichment so they aren't lonely.
What is Social Enrichment?
These are the four specific areas humans manage: healthcare, feeding/watering, breeding, and this kind of protection.
What is protection from climate and predators?
This freedom focuses on the animal's feelings, making sure they aren't scared or stressed.
What is Freedom from Fear and Distress?
These are the two main things Florida vets try to prevent from spreading between patients in a clinic.
What are contagious diseases and parasites?
These professionals study how different ways of housing or feeding animals can make them healthier.
Who are Researchers?
In a zoo, husbandry focuses on this specific type of health to make sure animals keep their natural instincts.
What is Behavioral Health?