Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Karen. M. Hiestand, Karen McComb, Robin Banerjee
Summary: As highly social animals, humans benefit from social support provided by companion animals. This study interviewed six participants who identified instances of empathy from their dogs or cats to examine how they interpreted these experiences. The participants reported that changes in their animals' behavior were crucial in identifying empathy, but their understanding of the motives behind these actions varied significantly. This highlights the challenges in comprehending animals' emotions and cognitive abilities. The findings have implications for animal-assisted therapy and emotional support animals.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Francesca Bandoli, Jenny Mace, Andrew Knight
Summary: This study assessed the integrated impact of environmental conditions and human presence on the behaviour of zoo-housed Asian small-clawed otters. The otters displayed species-specific behaviours and generally had positive welfare states. However, they engaged less in locomotion, food-related and affiliative behaviours, and more in vigilance compared to previous captive studies. Visitor presence and background noise did not affect behaviour, but time of day and animal identity did. The results provide meaningful information for improving husbandry practices and highlight the importance of multivariate analysis to assess animal welfare.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Victoria R. Merenda, Eduardo B. de Oliveira, Heather N. Fowler, Monique D. Pairis-Garcia
Summary: This study aimed to explore perspectives and attitudes about euthanasia in the Brazilian dairy cattle industry. The lack of nationally recognized euthanasia guidelines and effective euthanasia tools makes it challenging for veterinarians to carry out humane on-farm euthanasia. Additionally, logistical factors and the human-animal bond also contribute to the failure to perform euthanasia when necessary. Future research should focus on developing science-based standards and training programs to improve consistency in on-farm euthanasia in Brazilian dairy operations.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maggie Creamer, Kristina Horback
Summary: Research on human-animal interactions with beef cattle often occurs during stress-inducing contexts, potentially skewing behavioral and physiological responses. Future studies should consider conducting experiments in low stress contexts to better understand how animal personality and previous experience influence cattle production and welfare. By adapting methods used for wildlife response research, researchers may gain insights into improving the quality and outcomes of human-cattle interactions on rangelands.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John A. Vucetich, Jeremy T. Bruskotter, Lily M. van Eeden, Ewan A. Macdonald
Summary: Aspirations for human-nature relationships involve competing values, with individuals showing strong affinity for multiple conservation priorities. Controversies in conservation are often case-specific and do not necessarily align with an individual's top priority. The results suggest that moral judgments about human-nature relationships are intuitive and not easily reducible to other basic values.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Economics
Nicolas Treich
Summary: The Dasgupta Review on the economics of biodiversity takes an anthropocentric approach by assigning moral value only to humans among the millions of species on Earth. This view is morally problematic as it assumes that other species, particularly sentient animals, have only instrumental value for humans. The preservation of biodiversity in ecosystems does not equate to taking care of the wellbeing of sentient species in those ecosystems. While some policies can satisfy both anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric objectives, others can create conflicts between these objectives. The prevalent anthropocentric view in biodiversity research is discussed, along with potential non-anthropocentric research directions.
ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Adele Tuozzi, Christine Arhant, Kristina Anderle, Jessica Backes, Catherine Cords, Viola Magierski, Jean-Loup Rault, Ines Windschnurer
Summary: The study found that the presence of a human and playing a prerecorded reading induced greater interest in shelter dogs and cats compared to just audio stimulation.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. Cassie Kresnye, Chia-Fang Chung, Christopher Flynn Martin, Patrick C. Shih
Summary: Enrichment plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of captive animals. Technology is increasingly being integrated into animal enrichment, and there is a need for including a wider range of species, shifting design focus from human to animal senses, and promoting standardized study designs across different animal contexts.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Natalie Herdoiza, Ernst Worrell, Floris van den Berg
Summary: There is a growing body of literature proposing to include animal welfare in the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda to improve the welfare of animals and its potential positive impact on human health and welfare. This study analyzes the practical implications of including animal welfare in the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on animals in agriculture and aquaculture systems. The study highlights the feasibility of incorporating the welfare of farmed animals into the SDGs.
AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN VALUES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giuseppe Pulina
Summary: The focus is on animals as sentient beings, and the importance of defining animal sentience in scientific terms to avoid misunderstandings and wrong consequences. While recognizing animal sentience, it is argued that it does not imply universal animal rights, but rather the human responsibility to protect their well-being and pass laws for their defense.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elisa Codecasa, Patrick Pageat, Miriam Marcet-Rius, Alessandro Cozzi
Summary: This paper examines the European system regulating laboratory animal welfare and discusses the importance and functions of animal welfare bodies in research programs. Efforts in recent years have been aimed at improving the welfare of laboratory animals, with a focus on making science more humane and responsible. The review provides insight into legal measures protecting research animals and emphasizes the benefits of animal training and environmental enrichment programs in enhancing both animal welfare and research quality.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Bethany L. L. Krebs, Karli R. R. Chudeau, Caitlin L. L. Eschmann, Celina W. W. Tu, Eridia Pacheco, Jason V. V. Watters
Summary: Anticipatory behavior serves as a critical animal-based measure for assessing animal welfare under human care, as it is theorized to relate to animals' reward sensitivity. Animals living under human care often exhibit anticipation in locations related to anticipated events, and failure to identify anticipation may lead to misleading conclusions regarding animal behavior or welfare.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peta S. Taylor, Paul H. Hemsworth, Jean-Loup Rault
Summary: Increased environmental complexity can improve chicken welfare, depending on the resources provided and use by the animals. Providing physical items or additional visual human contact can reduce fear of humans in chickens. However, the effects of additional human contact on general fearfulness are not significant. The provision of physical items did not show clear improvement in the chickens' behavioral time budget, fear, physiological stress, or production.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mactar Seck, Ruth Jobling, Ashleigh F. Brown
Summary: The majority of working horses in Senegal use bits made of construction iron, which can cause injuries and discomfort. To address this, Brooke developed and tested improved bit designs made of aluminium, demonstrating their feasibility and positive impact on horse welfare. These improved designs also provide livelihood opportunities for local artisans and vendors.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lisa M. Gunter, Emily M. Blade, Rachel J. Gilchrist, Betsy J. Nixon, Jenifer L. Reed, Joanna M. Platzer, Ingrid C. Wurpts, Erica N. Feuerbacher, Clive D. L. Wynne
Summary: Human interaction is an effective intervention to improve the welfare of shelter dogs. This study examined the effects of brief outings and temporary fostering stays on dogs’ length of stay and adoption outcomes. The results showed that both interventions significantly increased the likelihood of adoption for the dogs. Despite spending longer time in the shelter, the difference in length of stay was present prior to the interventions. These programs were more successful when community members were involved and when implemented by better-resourced shelters. Animal welfare organizations should consider implementing these evidence-based fostering programs to positively impact shelter dogs.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Sara Vilar-Lluch, Emma McClaughlin, Dawn Knight, Svenja Adolphs, Elena Nichele
Summary: This study examines the effective communication strategies used by the governments of Great Britain in promoting COVID-19 vaccination. The language of official vaccination campaigns, vaccine uptake rates, and the preferences of unvaccinated and vaccine-sceptic individuals are analyzed. The findings suggest that successful vaccination campaigns should address public attitudes and beliefs alongside communication strategies.
MEDICAL HUMANITIES
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Automation & Control Systems
Jeremie Clos, Emma McClaughlin, Pepita Barnard, Tino Tom, Sudarshan Yajaman
Summary: Online misinformation is a serious problem that can negatively impact individuals, societies, and democracies. It is important to monitor and address misinformation in a lightweight, responsible, and ethical manner.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRUSTWORTHY AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS, TAS 2023
(2022)