We began this book by identifying the critical role of the stockperson in the management of farm animals and argued that the relationship between humans and the animals under their care was fundamental to their welfare and productivity. To begin with we explored the nature of the stockperson's job in terms of the duties that the stockperson performs, the status attached to the job and some of the issues that affect job satisfaction and job retention. We then turned our attention to the welfare of farm animals. In doing so, we looked at the rights of animals – their welfare and the ethical issues associated with our use of animals in livestock production. This was a key place to begin the book. Any discussion of the role of domestic animals in our society needs to take into account the rights of animals and our obligation towards them with respect to those rights. Also important is the need to optimize animal productivity and welfare and to recognize the place of the professional stockperson in the livestock industries, which then led to an account of human–animal interactions. This first part of the book was designed to set the stage for a more detailed account of the empirical knowledge of human–animal interactions and their consequences for the livestock industries, and the theory underlying this empirical research.

1. Animal roles
2. Animal welfare
3. Birds
4. Domestic animals
5. Health
6. Nutrition
7. productivity