Animal welfare as a concept and practice is important to many disciplines and professions. From blue skies scientists to front line animal rescue, there is a need for this textbook, which distils and interprets the core concepts and language of animal welfare science. Coverage includes the main theories and why we needed them; practical advice for how to assess animal welfare; illustrative examples of different species and the importance of their interactions; and the stresses and strains experienced across an increasingly diverse workforce. Foundational knowledge is combined with real-world examples and recent advances to communicate the content and spirit of this unique field. This accessible text is designed to support tertiary animal welfare curricula but is also relevant to the study of human–animal interactions, anthropology, and related fields. It provides a jumping-off point for many areas of knowledge and application for anyone interested in how animal welfare and science