Companion Animal Death

Human–animal relationships are increasingly incorporated into families as a normal part of family life. Despite this, relationships with animals are often viewed as inferior to human relationships. This becomes problematic during times of loss and grief when members of a grieving companion animal owner's support system do not understand the salience of the relationship with the animal. Veterinary and other helping professionals need basic information about the experience of companion animal loss in order to help support and normalize the experiences of grieving companion animal owners. The present study qualitatively describes human–animal relationships and the subsequent loss and coping experienced by owners of beloved companion animals. Comparison with human and other types of loss and factors unique to companion animal loss are discussed, and practical applications for veterinary and other helping professionals are provided.

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The Companion Animal Bonding Scale: Internal Reliability and Construct Validity

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1987.60.3.743 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 743-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

Robert H. Poresky ◽

Charles Hendrix ◽

Jacob E. Mosier ◽

Marvin L. Samuelson

Keyword(s):

Construct Validity ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Attitude Scale ◽

Weak Effect ◽

Pet Ownership ◽

Internal Reliability ◽

Human Animal ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

The literature on the relationship of companion animals and children shows only a weak effect of human-animal bonding on child development. The use of “pet ownership” or cohabitation rather than the relationship or interaction between the child and the animal as a measure of bonding appears to be a serious and limiting deficiency, which impaired the empirical evidence concerning the development and effects of human-animal bonding. The Companion Animal Bonding Scale is an 8-item behavioral scale describing the extent of child-animal activities. The scale was administered by questionnaire with a childhood focus and a contemporary focus to 121 high school and college students. The Cronbach alpha estimates of internal reliability were 0.82 and 0.77, respectively. Construct validity was indicated by significant correlations between scores on the Pet Attitude Scale and the childhood and contemporary bonding scale of .39 and .40, respectively.

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The Perceived Impact of The First UK Covid-19 Lockdown on Companion Animal Welfare and Behaviour: A Mixed-Method Study of Associations with Owner Mental Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6171

Author(s):

Emily Shoesmith ◽

Luciana Santos de Assis ◽

Lion Shahab ◽

Elena Ratschen ◽

Paul Toner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Principal Component ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Free Text ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Animal

Background: Companion animals may be a positive presence for their owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the welfare of a companion animal is strongly influenced by the behaviour of their owners, as well as their physical and social environment. We aimed to investigate the reported changes in companion animal welfare and behaviour and to examine the association between these changes and companion animal owners’ mental health. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of UK residents over 18 years of age was conducted between April and June 2020 (n = 5926). The questionnaire included validated, bespoke items measuring outcomes related to mental health, human-animal bonds and reported changes in animal welfare and behaviour. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe experiences associated with human-animal relationships during the first UK lockdown phase. Results: Animal owners made up 89.8% of the sample (n = 5323), of whom 67.3% reported changes in their animal’s welfare and behaviour during the first lockdown phase (n = 3583). These reported changes were reduced to a positive (0–7) and negative (0–5) welfare scale, following principal component analysis (PCA) of 17 items. Participants reported more positive changes for cats, whereas more negative changes were reported for dogs. Thematic analysis identified three main themes relating to the positive and negative impact on companion animals of the Covid-19 pandemic. Generalised linear models indicated that companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores pre-lockdown reported fewer negative changes in animal welfare and behaviour. However, companion animal owners with poorer mental health scores since lockdown reported more changes, both positive and negative, in animal welfare and behaviour. Conclusion: Our findings extend previous insights into perceived welfare and behaviour changes on a very limited range of species to a wider a range of companion animals. Owner mental health status has a clear, albeit small, effect on companion animal welfare and behaviour.

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The Possible Role of Companion-Animal Anthropomorphism and Social Support in the Physical and Psychological Health of Dog Guardians

Society and Animals ◽

10.1163/156853010x524334 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 379-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nikolina M. Duvall Antonacopoulos ◽

Timothy A. Pychyl

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Survey Results ◽

Physical And Psychological Health ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Relationship

AbstractWhile previous research suggests that individuals who humanize their companion animals may have insufficient human social support (Epley, Waytz, & Cacioppo, 2007), researchers have not examined the relation between companion-animal anthropomorphism and the health of animal guardians while taking into consideration their human social support levels. It was hypothesized that dog guardians with low levels of human social support would have poorer health if they engaged in high rather than low levels of anthropomorphism, while the health of dog guardians with high levels of human social support would not vary depending on their anthropomorphism levels. A sample of 203 Canadian dog guardians completed an online survey. Results revealed that, among dog guardians with low levels of human social support, those who engaged in high levels of anthropomorphism were more depressed, visited the doctor more often, and took more medications. Furthermore, among dog guardians with high levels of human social support, those who engaged in high levels of anthropomorphism were more stressed and depressed. These findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between anthropomorphic behavior, human social support, and dog guardians’ health.

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How Wild Do We Want It? “Wiley” Coyote Versus Fluffy

Society and Animals ◽

10.1163/15685306-12341320 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 80-101

Author(s):

Arlene Plevin

Keyword(s):

Companion Animals ◽

Well Being ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Human Relationships ◽

Perceived Need

Abstract Human relationships with companion animals (cats) and nondomestic, wilder animals (coyotes) are explored in terms of domestic and nondomestic spaces in urban and nonurban settings. What companion animals contribute to and mean to human well-being is considered alongside the perceived need to protect companion animals from wilder animals while allowing them to live naturally, a contested category. Questions related to companion animal/human relationships are explored: do humans romanticize their relationships with their companion animals? Is that to the detriment of other animals’ well-being?

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Companion animals and disasters: The role of Human Services Organisations

Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work ◽

10.11157/anzswj-vol28iss4id189 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 100-108

Author(s):

John Darroch ◽

Carole Adamson

Keyword(s):

Human Services ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Disaster Planning ◽

Disaster Risk ◽

Conceptual Base ◽

Ethical Imperative ◽

Loss And Grief ◽

Human Animal Bond ◽

Human Animal

INTRODUCTION: Companion animals have often been treated as an afterthought, or ignored, by those involved in planning for and responding to disasters. This omission in planning for the needs of companion animals has been predicated upon a failure to recognise the emotional bond between many people and their companion animals. This has resulted in significant costs for humans and animals in many disasters. This article serves to raise issues regarding the responsibilities of human service organisations (HSOs) for animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR).METHOD: This article develops a conceptual base for the consideration of the inclusion of animals in disaster planning and response within human services organisations. By first establishing the legitimacy of the human–animal bond and the requirement for human services organisations to develop their disaster planning, an exploration of the literature explores the rationale for the inclusion of companion animals within DRR.FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS: A clearly demonstrated relationship between DRR and the presence of companion animals is evidenced within the literature. Delays in evacuation due to the lack of facilities for companion animals, the loss and grief experienced by those forced to abandon their animals, and the particular vulnerabilities of those living in isolation or in homeless situations attest to the importance of animal-inclusive planning. Those living with animals may be more inclined to commit to DRR if the needs of their animals are included in planning. A mandate for organisational and professional responsibility for the inclusion of companion animals is established.CONCLUSION: For effective DRR, human services organisations have a professional and ethical imperative to include companion animals in their disaster planning and response.

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Predation pressure of the grey wolf (Canis lupus L. 1758) on wild, domestic and companion animals in Poland

Medycyna Weterynaryjna ◽

10.21521/mw.6579 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (10) ◽

pp. 6579-2021

Author(s):

KATARZYNA DZIKI-MICHALSKA ◽

KATARZYNA TAJCHMAN

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Predation Pressure ◽

Protection System ◽

Animal Population ◽

Grey Wolf ◽

Wolf Population ◽

Wild Ungulate ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study was to determine the predation pressure of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) on wild ungulate populations and the relationship between the size of the grey wolf population and the number of confirmed kills of livestock and companion animals in Poland over eight hunting seasons from 2011/2012 to 2018/2019. There is a positive and complete relationship between the increasing wolf population and the number of confirmed deer kills. The size of the wolf population in Poland was compared to the size of domestic and companion animal population and the number of specimens that fell prey to the grey wolf. It was demonstrated that as the wolf population in Poland increases, the number of confirmed kills of farm and companion animals rises. It seems rational to take steps aimed at mitigating this problem as soon as possible. It is necessary to consider implementation of an integrated protection system that involves culling and employing available methods to deter wolves from attacking grazing herds.

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Bereavement

New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry ◽

10.1093/med/9780198713005.003.0084 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 879-883

Author(s):

Beverley Raphael ◽

Sally Wooding ◽

Julie Dunsmore

Keyword(s):

Spiritual Belief ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Trauma Research ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Loss And Grief ◽

Current Assessment ◽

Subsequent Loss ◽

Family Setting ◽

The Relationship ◽

Significant Health

The human experience of loss and grief will touch us all. Grief is a deeply personal experience that will be influenced by culture, spiritual belief, the nature of the loss, gender, and the relationship with the deceased, whether it be as an individual or within a family setting. Grief has been of particular focus in the literature, given the increasing incidence of terrorism and subsequent loss via violence and trauma. Research in this area has a long history and is still evolving, with recent focus on the pathology of ongoing grief and its inclusion within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). The majority of individuals demonstrate resilience and do not require intervention. This is less so when suffering and distress are acute and ongoing, and there are significant health impacts or functional impairment. This chapter discusses the phenomenology of ‘normal grief’ and prolonged or complicated grief, risk and protective factors that may influence the course and outcome such as trauma and the nature of the loss, and possible physical and mental health consequences in the context of current assessment and models of management.

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Human-Animal Interactions, Relationships and Bonds: A Review and Analysis of the Literature

International Journal of Comparative Psychology ◽

10.46867/ijcp.2014.27.01.01 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Geoff Hosey ◽

Vicky Melfi

Keyword(s):

Companion Animals ◽

Comparative Psychology ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Unified Field ◽

Agricultural Animal ◽

Standard Terminology ◽

Human Animal ◽

Set Up ◽

Sociological Approaches

The study of human-animal interactions (HAI), and the resulting human-animal relationships (HARs) and bonds (HABs) which are set up as a consequence, is currently a topical issue in comparative psychology. Here we review the HAI/HAR/HAB literature to detect the main publication trends, and to identify the predominant research themes in this area. Research in HAI/HAR/HAB only really started in the 1980s, but since then there has been a growth in studies which is still continuing. Most of these studies have been in the contexts of companion animal or agricultural animal research, but there is now a growing literature on laboratory, zoo and wild animals too. In the companion animal HAI/HAB literature the greatest emphasis has been on Animal-assisted Interventions (AAI), and the benefits to people of pet ownership and interaction with pets. Agricultural HAI/HAR research, on the contrary, has been more concerned with the welfare consequences of HAI/HARs to the animals. This disjunction is reflected in the preference of companion animal researchers to use the term ‘bond’, but agricultural researchers to use ‘relationship’. Other themes prominent in the literature include methodological issues, the characteristics of caretakers, the role of veterinarians, sociological approaches, and theoretical aspects. It is concluded that currently HAI/HAR/HAB research does not constitute a unified field, and there is a need to: i) agree and define a standard terminology; ii) undertake more research on the effects of HAI on companion animals; iii) undertake more research on the form and frequency of interactions; and iv) increase research on HAI/HAR/HABs in laboratory, zoo and wild-living animals. This research is important to understand whether HAI has positive, neutral or negative consequences, both for humans and for animals.

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Humans’ Best Friend? The Ethical Dilemma of Pets

Relations ◽

10.7358/rela-2013-002-andr ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 23-35

Author(s):

Matteo Andreozzi

Keyword(s):

Ethical Dilemma ◽

Moral Status ◽

Animal Ethics ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Interspecific Relationship ◽

Human Relationships ◽

Best Friend ◽

Human Animal

The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the need for a reassessment of the moral status of pets. I argue that pets rest on an undefined ethical borderline, which brings several puzzling problems to both human-centered ethics and animal ethics and that neither of these fields adequately handles these issues. I focus specifically on human relationships with companion animals as one of the most significant interspecific relationship involving humans and pets. I also show that a deeper questioning of the moral status of pets is a required step toward the moral rethinking of human-animal relationships.

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Companion-animal-inclusive domestic violence practice: Implications for service delivery and social work

Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work ◽

10.11157/anzswj-vol32iss4id791 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 26-39

Author(s):

Nik Taylor ◽

Heather Fraser ◽

Damien W. Riggs

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

Social Work ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Service Design ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Human Animal ◽

Animal Violence

INTRODUCTION: Based on an understanding of links between human- and animal-directed domestic violence, this article: 1) argues for companion-animal inclusive domestic violence service delivery; and 2) reflects on the challenges this offers to social work and the human services.APPROACH: We start by considering the importance of companion animals in many people’s lives and then offer an overview of material on “the link” between human- and animal-directed violence, specifically as it pertains to domestic violence.CONCLUSIONS: Implications for service design and provision are discussed. We conclude with brief comments about the importance of centring animals in future considerations of human– animal violence links and outline how this offers an opportunity to challenge and re-think the humanist foundations on which traditional social work is built.

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