Companion Animal Welfare in Private and Institutional Settings

2012 ◽  
pp. 267-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hubrecht ◽  
Dennis C. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Institutional Settings

scholarly journals 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

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.

scholarly journals Increasing Maximum Penalties for Animal Welfare Offences in South Australia—Has It Caused Penal Change?

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Morton ◽  
Michelle Hebart ◽  
Alexandra Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Animal Abuse ◽  
Electronic Form ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Case Files ◽  
Animal Welfare Legislation

Animal welfare legislation in South Australia underwent amendments in 2008, where all the maximum penalties for animal welfare offences were doubled. This commitment to increased penalties arguably provides evidence of the legislature’s intent with respect to penalties. Studies have speculated that the legislative intent behind the increased penalties is not being reflected in the courts. This interdisciplinary research sought to gain evidence to confirm or disprove these speculations, by quantifying the average custodial sentence and monetary fine handed down in court before and after the 2008 amendments. Furthermore, trends relating to the species of animal affected and the demographics of the offender were identified. A total of 314 RSPCA (SA) closed case files from 2006 to 2018 were converted into an electronic form. Since the amendments, the average penalties have doubled in magnitude; fines have increased from $700 to $1535, while prison sentences have increased from 37 days to 77 days. Cases of companion animal abuse were most common (75% of all cases) and the location of the offence was found to influence offending. These findings suggest that the 2008 amendments have caused the average penalties to increase. However, it is debatable whether these increases are enough to effectively punish animal abusers.

From teacher to trailblazer

2018 ◽  
Vol 183 (22) ◽  
pp. i-ii
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
The World

Nalinika Obeyesekere was recently awarded the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s inaugural award for companion animal welfare in recognition of her contribution to raising standards of veterinary care in Sri Lanka.

New research relevant to companion animal welfare

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 548-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M Broom
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
New Research

scholarly journals Visitors’ Attitudes Toward Non-Human Primates in a Free-Roaming Multi-Species Sanctuary (Monkeyland, South Africa)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lenzi ◽  
Chiara Grasso ◽  
Siobhan Speiran
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Lemur Catta ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Guided Tour

The aim of the present study is to investigate themes related to visitors’ perceptions of captive wildlife in particular, attitudes towards non-human primates (henceforth, primates). This research took place in free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary, Monkeyland (South Africa), where 400 visitors were interviewed using an anonymous survey both before and after attending a guided tour. The answers were divided into different categories, in order to standardize the motivations behind tourists’ choices. The results of the survey demonstrated that most visitors agree that a primate would not be a good companion animal. Visitors’ desire to touch primates was found to be positively correlated with desire for companion primates and inversely associated with visitor age. In response to: “would you like to touch a monkey?”, the majority of tourists who expressed this desire seemed aware that such interactions are not appropriate, with concern for animal welfare and human health. Of the various primate species present in the sanctuary, visitors preferred the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and, generally speaking, expressed appreciation for primates’ “cuteness”. Our results indicate a general awareness by the visitors on the importance of animal welfare in the human interactions with captive wildlife, in agreement with the “hands-off” policy of Monkeyland primate sanctuary. We discuss the findings from a general to zooanthropological point of view, proposing some reflections on the attitudes of visitors toward non-human primates.

Companion Animal Bereavement: A One Health Workbook for Veterinary Professionals

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
One Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Traumatic Death ◽  
Efficient Communication ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Difficult Situations

Abstract This book aims to deepen the understanding of what it is like for those struggling with the destabilizing effects of grief before, during and after death. It includes a new way of looking at grief which owners and professionals alike have found helpful and easy to understand. The content includes a number of exercises that can be downloaded and given to owners to take home, or used as discussion tools during consultations, for example during end-of-life conversations. Additionally there are handouts containing useful information on aspects such as after death services and coping with grief, which can also be downloaded and given to owners. These practical and useful guides are designed to support the owner and help them to understand what is happening, while at the same time facilitating effective and efficient communication between clients and the veterinary team making life easier for all concerned. The book also addresses the importance of self-care and peer support within the vet team or animal welfare organization, especially following difficult situations, such as an owner withholding consent to much-needed euthanasia, a traumatic death or dealing with the aftermath of multiple end-of-life procedures.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document