Digital Commons Network^™

The Welfare Of Piglets In The Pig Industry

Agribusiness Reports

Pig production has changed dramatically over the last several decades, and most piglets are now raised on industrialized commercial operations that confine thousands of animals on one site. In these facilities, piglets are born and reared under conditions that dramatically contrast with the natural environment they are biologically adapted to fit. In nature, a mother sow builds a nest of twigs and leaves for the birth of her litter, and, after several days, the piglets gradually begin to leave the nest, explore their environment by rooting and nibbling, and slowly integrate into a larger family group. Piglets on commercial production …

Welfare Issues With Furnished Cages For Egg-Laying Hens

Agribusiness Reports

Furnished cages were developed in response to criticisms about conventional battery-cage confinement of laying hens in commercial egg production. Battery cages—small, barren, wire enclosures—restrictively confine the birds, depriving them of the opportunity to display many important patterns of behavior. In contrast, furnished cages are typically equipped with a nest box, perch, and dustbathing area, thereby providing more behavioral outlets than conventional cages. However, similar to conventional battery cages, furnished cages provide an unacceptably limited amount of space per bird; prevent many important locomotory activities, including running, jumping, flying, and wing-flapping; and constrain perching, dustbathing, and nesting. The severe locomotory restriction …

The Impact Of Animal Agriculture On The Environment And Climate Change In Brazil

Agribusiness Reports

The intensification of farm animal production in industrialized agricultural systems, or factory farms, compromises animal welfare and degrades the environment. Animal agriculture inefficiently consumes natural resources, contributes to deforestation, and produces immense quantities of animal waste, threatening water and air quality and contributing to climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimated in 2006 that animal agriculture was responsible for 18% of global, anthropogenic, or humaninduced, greenhouse gas emissions and was ―by far the single largest anthropogenic user of land."

Understanding Mortality Rates Of Laying Hens In Cage-Free Egg Production Systems

Agribusiness Reports

In cage-free egg production systems, concerns have been raised over hen mortality rates. High mortality is an obvious indicator of poor welfare, and problems should be addressed without delay. It is important to note, however, that mortality can vary substantially between hen flocks, and that some cage-free systems have healthy flocks that do not suffer substantial death losses. These systems can serve as models for the rest of the industry, since mortality is not inherent to any particular system, but a consequence of how well the system is managed.

Adopting A Cage-Free Production Policy For Animal Products In Brazil

Agribusiness Reports

Farm animal welfare is becoming an important concern for governments, producers, and consumers worldwide. In particular, intensive confinement systems, such as battery cages and gestation crates, have been acknowledged as severely impairing to the physical comfort and expression of natural behaviors of animals. The European Union and select states in the United States have already passed bills eliminating these housing systems over the next several years. Numerous international retail and food production companies, including Burger King (North America), Smithfield Foods, and McDonald’s (Europe) are committed to gradually eliminating the use and sale of eggs and pork produced via intensive confinement …

About Chickens

Agribusiness Reports

The chicken is the world’s most numerous domesticated bird, with over 52 billion farmed worldwide in 2008, rivaling the dog as the most ubiquitous domestic animal globally. These birds have fascinated scholars and researchers since the dawn of Western civilization, and recent studies are beginning to reveal the depths of their complexity and cognitive ability. According to Andrew F. Fraser, professor of veterinary surgery at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Donald M. Broom, professor of animal welfare at University of Cambridge: “Those who have studied the behaviour of the domestic fowl in detail…, especially those who have looked at feral …

About Turkeys

Agribusiness Reports

No abstract provided.

Days Of Wine And Rabbits, Jim Baker

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Rescue group uses private-label vintage and the amorous image of rabbits to raise funds— and promote awareness of spay/neuter

Discrimination At The Adoption Counter, Cherie Travis

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Does turning down a potential adoption put your organization at risk of a lawsuit?

A Crisis In Customer Service? Not So Much

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

A secret shopper program finds plenty to purr about—and some room for improvements

Scoop

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

• Matchmakers help rabbits find that special somebunny
• The Wildlife Aid Brigade works to keep wild babies and their kin together and safe
• Unwanted CDs benefit upstate New York SPCA
• Study suggests that microchipping and database registration should happen concurrently
• Better options for horses
• Stemming the tide of pet overpopulation in Alabama
• Study identifies coping strategies for staff stress related to euthanasia
• Want to help save puppy mill dogs? Become a Placement Partner
• Humane officer branches out to attempt daring, aerial rescue to free trapped bird
• Newly redesigned Form 990 proves taxing for nonprofit shelters filing with the IRS

On The Inside, Looking Out, James Hettinger

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Prison programs transform inmates as well as animals

A Framework Allowing For Change, Hilary Anne Hager, Megan Webb

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Volunteer programs continue to thrive with the right people and systems in place

Making It Work: Formalizing Your Volunteer Program Is Worth The Effort, Amber Van Leuken

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Formalizing your volunteer program is worth the effort

Keys To A Cool Shelter Website, Jim Baker

Animal Sheltering 2010-12

Amazing new tools to engage people, create community, and support your mission

Financial Operations Report

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

2010 Key Accomplishments

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

From The President, Wayne Pacelle

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Rescuing Animals

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

To The Rescue

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Protecting Farm Animals

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Protecting Our Best Friends

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Factory Farms Unmasked

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Ending Animal Fighting

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Animal Care Centers

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Protecting Wildlife

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Shutting Down Puppy Mills

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Advancing Humane Science

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

2010 Outreach

HSUS Annual Reports 2005-18

No abstract provided.

Non-Invasive Methods Of Identifying And Tracking Wild Squid, Ruth A. Byrne, James B. Wood, Roland C. Anderson, Ulrike Griebel, Jennifer A. Mather

Morality and Ethics of Animal Experimentation Collection

The ability to identify individual free-living animals in the field is an important method for studying their behavior. Apart from invasive external or internal tags, which may cause injury or abnormal behavior, most cephalopods cannot be tagged, as their skin is too soft and delicate for tag retention. Additionally, cephalopods remove many types of tags. However, body markings have been successfully used as a non invasive method to identify individuals of many different species of animals, including whale sharks, grey whales, seals, and zebras. We developed methods to sex and individually identify Caribbean reef squid, Sepiotheuthis sepioidea. Males showed distinct …