Animal Studies Commons^™

Stereotype Behaviour In Sows And Gilts Housed In Stalls, Tethers, And Groups, Judith K. Blackshaw, J. F. Mcveigh

Agribusiness Collection

Observations of sows and gilts in tethers, stalls, and groups showed two distinct types of behaviour: pre-feed behaviour when pigs were anticipating food, and after-feed behaviour. Sows and gilts tethered for the first time do not show pre-feed excitement, but this develops in 42 days which suggests that pre-feed behaviour is not stereotype, as suggested by the literature, but is a conditioned reflex.

The question of the importance of after-feeding behaviours which are often called stereotypies is examined. The total time occupied by these behaviours over 24 hours by tethered sows is 14.5 to 29.0%, by tethered gilts 1.4 to …

Evils Of Modern Stables, James Irvine Lupton

Equines Collection

Portions of veterinarian James Irvine Lupton's book on horse management that deal with the problems of confinement husbandry practices have been selected as a significant historical record of humane concerns that were documented one hundred years ago. While the author's descriptive prose may lack scientific "objectivity," it does express a common sense morality and the subjective and intuitive observations and conclusions of an experienced veterinarian who clearly respects and understands the horse. His words bespeak of a bygone era where the care or husbandry of animals was both an art and a science, a discipline based upon empathy, compassion and …

Animal Boredom: Is A Scientific Study Of The Subjective Experiences Of Animals Possible?, Françoise Wemelsfelder

Sentience Collection

The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between different meta-scientific frameworks and the science of animal welfare. Animal Boredom 117 During the past few years, I have become more and more convinced that the great difficulty science has in studying subjective experience in its objects, might be related to the denial of any role to subjective experience in the observer as an interpretational guide. Can a quality in the world around us be observed, when this same quality is deliberately excluded from the process of observing?

As a practical example for the discussion described above, the phenomenon …

The Origins Of Empathy And Altruism, Carolyn Zahn-Waxler, Barbara Hollenbeck, Marian Radke-Yarrow

Human and Animal Bonding Collection

We will describe theories and research that try to explain the development, especially in children, of sensitivity to the needs of others. Are children born with empathy? Is it instinctive or learned? What kinds of changes do humane feelings and behaviors undergo as children develop? How do the environments in which children are reared determine whether they will be more or less likely to show concern and to assume responsibility for the welfare of others? We have examined these issues in a series of studies of (a) the early origins of emotional concern (empathy) and (b) the translation of concerned …

Attitudes Toward Animals: Age-Related Development Among Children, Stephen R. Kellert

Attitudes Towards Animals Collection

This paper reviews the results of a study of 267 children in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th grades. A battery of tests was used to examine children's knowledge and attitudes towards animals, and behavioral contacts with animals. A typology of basic attitudes towards animals and appropriate scales was employed. Children's knowledge and attitudes towards animals were also compared to those of adults 18 years of age and over. Major differences occurred among children distinguished by age, sex, ethnicity, and urban/rural residence. Additionally, significant knowledge and attitude variations occurred among diverse animal-related activity groups (e.g., among children who hunted, birdwatched, …

The Question Of Animal Awareness, Francoise Wemelsfelder

Sentience Collection

The problem of animal awareness lies at the interface of science and philosophy. As a starting point for the study of phenomena such as awareness, mind, consciousness, etc., we hardly have any reference other than our own human experience and in the context of a nondualistic ontology this can be justified. In philosophy and psychology it appears to be very difficult to give direct operational definitions of terms such as consciousness, etc. So we might expect this to be even more difficult in the study of animals. A detailed knowledge of animals and their behaviour is necessary in order to …

Aquatic Feeding By Moose: Selection Of Plant Species And Feeding Areas In Relation To Plant Chemical Composition And Characteristics Of Lakes, D. Fraser, E R. Chavez, J. E. Paleheimo

Feeding Behavior Collection

Aquatic feeding by moose was studied with emphasis on (i) the chemical composition of aquatic plants compared with terrestrial browse, (ii) the chemical composition of preferred and unpreferred aquatic plant species and (iii) characteristics of preferred feeding areas. Compared with woody browse, aquatic plants had much higher levels of sodium and iron, and similar levels of other nutrients tested. In a "cafeteria" selection experiment, moose consistently ate seven species of aquatic plants (preferred plants), consistently rejected five species (unpreferred plants), and gave an intermediate response to seven species. Preferred species had significantly higher sodium content. Those in the intermediate class …

Getting At The Numbers, Jim Mason

Interviews

Henry Spira, leader of the Campaign Against the LD50 test, talks about how he builds coalitions to focus action.

Advances In Animal Welfare Science 1984/85, M. W. Fox, L. D. Mickley

eBooks

This book, the first in an annual series, written by academicians--scientists, philosopher and other--is not intended exclusively for animal welfarists and conservationists. Since it is written by scholars, it will appeal to a wide range of academic and professional readers who are involved with animals for scientific, economic, altruistic, and other reasons. While this first volume cannot cover the entire spectrum of animal welfare science-related topics, it does, in its diversity of contributions, demonstrate the multi-faceted and interdisciplinary nature of the subject of this new series.

Resources And The Evolution Of Social Behavior, Con Slobodchikoff

Social Behavior Collection

No abstract provided.

Federal Government Assaults Animals On Wildlife Refuges

Close Up Reports

The welfare of America's wildlife and refuges is being sold for economic gain and recreational pleasure to hunters, trappers, and commercial developers. To date, there are 414 refuges composed of over 86 million acres stretching from the Arctic to the Florida Keys and from Maine to American Samoa. Almost all of these refuges have been touched in some way by natural gas exploration, predator control, pesticides, and commercial farming, ranching, and lumber industries. Over one half of all refuges are open to either hunting or trapping...or both.

All laws and regulations concerning activities on wildlife refuges stipulate that there must …

Federal Government Assaults Animals On Wildlife Refuges

Close Up Reports

The HSUS fights for wildlife

Solving The Pet Overpopulation Problem

Close Up Reports

Because of the short pregnancies and large litters of dogs and cats, one individual female with all her female offspring reproducing similarly can be the source of over 4,000 new lives within seven years. Some of these animals will find homes complete with laps to sit on and fireplaces to enjoy, but millions of other perfectly healthy dogs and cats won't be so lucky. The overabundance of these potential pets tends to cheapen the intrinsic value of each individual animal in the eyes of the general public. The swelling problem causes some people to use cruel methods of disposing of …

Solving The Pet Overpopulation Problem

Close Up Reports

The HSUS promotes its blueprint for success

Ld50: A Cruel Waste Of Animals

Close Up Reports

Imagine a test in which up to 100 animals are forced to consume a toxic substance in an amount high enough to kill half of them. Then imagine that the explicit purpose of the test is to kill those animals. Incredibly, such a test not only exists but each year also claims the lives of from two to four million animals.

The test is the lethal dose 50, or LD50 as it's commonly called. Its purpose is to measure the toxicity of a substance by determining how much of that substance will kill half of a group of some 60-100 …

Ld50: A Cruel Waste Of Animals

Close Up Reports

The HSUS leads fight to ban needless and inaccurate death test

Letter T Editor: A Role For The Clergy In Animal Welfare?, Charlotte B. Parks

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author asks what role the clergy in Judeo-Christian religions should play in advancing animal welfare.

Some Rights For Animal Therapists: Better Science And Better Welfare, Dana H. Murphy

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

"Animal-facilitated therapy" is a phrase with a friendly, solid ring to it. It also sounds like an idea that nearly everyone could agree to endorse, like democracy and vacations. However, there are some real problems in two areas: the low level of scientific rigor in some of the reports on animal-facilitated therapy, and the scant consideration is given to the animal therapists' welfare.

Occlusion Of Vision In Old English Sheepdogs, Michael W. Fox

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

It is common for owners of Old English Sheepdogs to allow the dog’s facial hair to cover the eyes. This practice is often justified by a claim that Old English Sheepdog eyes are very sensitive to light because, when the hair is cut away, the dog may blink its eyes, and the eyes may water. However, any animal whose eyes are not exposed to daylight will demonstrate photophobia when the eyes are exposed. The hair screen over the eyes may also lead to chronic conjunctivitis. Finally, the dog often shows a significant positive temperament change when the hair screen is …

Abundance And Distribution Of Large Mammals In The Upper Ogun Game Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria, T. A. Afolayan, K. R. N. Milligan, S. O. Salami

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Three different methods for estimating wild animal populations were used to assess the density of different species in a game reserve in the Sahel region of Nigeria. Hunting for bushmeat by local communities living around the reserve was identified as one of the threats to wildlife populations. Bushmeat was an essential resource for communities around the reserve.

Feral Dogs Of The Galapagos Islands: Impact And Control, Bruce D. Barnett, Robert L. Rudd

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The history of feral dogs on the Galapagos Islands is described. The authors discuss feral dogs' prey of domestic animals and wildlife, such as marine iguanas, and the urgent need for effective dog control programs and the attempts to control the feral dog populations.

Thoughtful Use Of Animals, Hyram Kitchen

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The Dean of the Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine responds to a question regarding the need for more animal protection legislation to address the use of animals in higher education. He notes that there has been considerable evolution in attitudes toward the proper treatment of animals since he was a veterinary student. While legislation may change how animals are used, legislation is less successful in changing attitudes. He argues that there are strong arguments supporting the use of animals in veterinary training but that such use comes with a moral responsibility toward animals.

Aquaculture- Now, Factory Fish Farming, M. W. Fox

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author describes issues raised at a 1983 conference on Aquaculture held in Washington, DC. The intensive raising of fish and shellfish produces many of the same problems as the intensive rearing of chickens, pigs, and cattle. The fish experience high levels of stress and disease that must be addressed by treating the system with antibiotics and vaccines.

Letter To Editor: The Limits Of Science, Rosemary Deblois

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author comments on the results of the Reader Survey (IJSAP 3_4, 265-266).

Achieving A Concensus On Dog Control Strategies: A Brief Primer, D. B. Wilkins

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author discusses challenges in developing effective policies for stray dog control. Stray dog symptoms vary from country to country. In Cyprus, the presence of echinococcus that stray dogs exacerbate is a problem across the Mediterranean. Rabies spread by stray dogs is a problem in many other countries, while anti-social dog behaviors (fouling, barking, biting) are an issue in large cities in developed countries. Considerable differences of opinion as to the best approaches to stray dog control exist among animal welfare organizations. One approach to developing effective and agreed stray dog control policies has been forming a national NGO umbrella …

Letter To Editor: Exceptions To Vertebrate Pest Conference Report, Dale Kaukeinen

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author responds to a description of his owl mortality presentation. He notes that only one of the six owls that had died had any trace of the brodifacoum rodenticide in its tissues and that owl was electrocuted. The rodenticide was not the cause of its death. The author calls for more dialogue between humane organizations and those involved in pest control.

The Canadian Harp Seal Hunt: A Moral Assessment, L. W. Sumner

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Sumner is a philosopher who attempts to unpick the various issues in the debate over the Harp Seal hunt in Canada. An objective treatment of the issues underlying the harp seal hunt is complex because of the high level of emotion on both sides, but it is also necessary to attempt it if uncommitted and reasonable persons are to be provided with some guidance about what to think concerning the morality of the hunt.

Historical Trends In American Animal Use And Perception, Stephen R. Kellert, Miriam O. Westervelt

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The authors analyze the stories on wildlife carried in four newspapers (two urban – LA Times and Hartford Courant, and two rural – Buffalo Bulletin in Wyoming and the Dawson News, Georgia) using randomly sampled issues from 1900 to 1976. The total sample amounted to 4,873 articles from 1,777 issues of the four newspapers covering 75 years. Three periods, 1921-1927, 1930-1936, and 1961-1967 averaged more than 200 articles a year. Coverage of wildlife issues was lowest during the two World War periods. The articles were coded using a standard typology, including utilitarian and humanistic attitudes. Over the 76 years …

Stray-Dog Control In Cyprus: Primitive And Humane Methods, Kyriacos Polydorou

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

In Cyprus, a dog control scheme was started in 1971 within the context of an all-inclusive

anti-echinococcosis campaign. At the time, it was estimated there were more than 100,000 dogs on the island; most were strays (even many of those that were purportedly "owned"]. These had been identified as infectious agents of echinococcosis in Cyprus (the average surgical incidence in humans over the 30 years before 1970 was 12.9/100,000]. The destruction of stray dogs is accomplished by using guns that fire a syringe containing a euthanizing drug. In the past (before 1970), various inhumane methods used by animal control officers …

The Question Of Atheism And Communism In The Animal Welfare/Rights Movement, Michael W. Fox

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author comments on the interplay between religion and animal rights.