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Influence of the Competition Context on Arousal in Agility Dogs
Contributor(s):: Carpenter, Alison M., Guy, Jonathan H., Leach, Matthew C.
To determine whether participation in dog agility has an impact on canine arousal and welfare, this study aimed firstly to identify the effect of the competition context on arousal changes experienced by dogs, as distinct from purely physical participation in agility, and secondly to assess the...
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The Ethics and Welfare Implications of Keeping Western European Hedgehogs (erinaceus Europaeus) in Captivity
Contributor(s):: Jones, S. A., Chapman, Stella
Patient outcomes for hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) casualties are not limited to release versus euthanasia; some hedgehogs have conditions that do not preclude their ability to survive in captivity with human intervention. This research explored the welfare implications and ethical issues of...
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Infrared Thermography as an Indicator of Heat Loss in Fur-Chewing Chinchillas (Chinchilla Lanigera)
Contributor(s):: Łapiński, Stanisław, Orel, Joanna, Niedbała, Piotr, Kucharska, Weronika, Jakubowska, Magdalena, Lisowska-Lis, Agnieszka, Tombarkiewicz, Barbara, Lis, Marcin W.
Fur-chewing is a common problem in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). It may affect the welfare of animals due to heat loss, thereby possibly impacting food and water intake to maintain body temperature. In this context, infrared thermography seems to be a suitable method of measuring heat...
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Development and Validation of Broiler Welfare Assessment Methods for Research and On-farm Audits
Contributor(s):: Meyer, Meaghan M., Johnson, Anna K., Bobeck, Elizabeth A.
Required auditing of on-farm broiler welfare in the United States has increased; however, a lack of validated tools exists for assessment of enrichment. National Chicken Council (NCC) guidelines were used on a subset of 300 Ross 308 broilers out of 1200 to validate and adapt welfare measures....
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A novel protocol to measure startle magnitude in sheep
Contributor(s):: Salvin, Hannah, Cafe, Linda, Lees, Angela, Morris, Stephen, Lee, Caroline
Temperament is a trait of interest as it impacts ease of handling, production and reactivity to stressful situations. Excessive behavioural reactivity, as an aspect of temperament, may lead to reduced welfare and stockperson safety. Current tests of behavioural reactivity involve isolating the...
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Herd dynamics and distribution of zebu cows and calves (Bos indicus) are affected by state before, during and after calving
Contributor(s):: Pérez-Torres, Libia, Averós, Xavier, Estevez, Inma, Rubio, Ivette, Corro, Manuel, Clemente, Neftalí, Orihuela, Agustín
To investigate whether zebu (Bos indicus) cows organize in different social groups according to their physiological state, cow–cow and cow–calf distances were measured. A single herd of 31 multiparous cows around parturition was observed for 6 weeks. Through the evaluation period, animals were...
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Clinical and behavioural consequences of on-farm mixing of cull sows after weaning
Contributor(s):: Herskin, Mette S., Holm, Cathrine, Thodberg, Karen
In modern pig production up to 50% of the sows are slaughtered each year. Typically, the period from the decision to cull and until a sow is slaughtered consists of a stay in an on-farm pick-up pen (hours to weeks), transport (eventually passing buying stations or similar) and lairage. However,...
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"You can be blind because of loving them so much": the impact on owners in the United Kingdom of living with a dog with osteoarthritis
Contributor(s):: Belshaw, Z., Dean, R., Asher, L.
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Effect of a Standardized Four-Week Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning Training Program on Pre-Existing Veterinary Fear in Companion Dogs
| Contributor(s):: Anastasia Stellato, Sarah Jajou, Cate E. Dewey, Tina M. Widowski, Lee Niel
Many dogs show signs of fear during veterinary appointments. It is widely recommended to use desensitization and counter-conditioning training to reduce this fear. However, the efficacy of this method for reducing veterinary fear has not been examined. We assessed the effect of a standardized...
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US Residents’ Perceptions of Dog Welfare Needs and Canine Welfare Information Sources
| Contributor(s):: Bir, Courtney, Croney, Candace C., Widmar, Nicole J. Olynk
The extent to which welfare needs of breeding dogs are met in commercial dog-breeding kennels is a potential point of controversy. This analysis sought to understand US residents’ perceptions and priorities related to dog welfare : by investigating (a) perceptions of breeding-dog welfare needs...
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Unwanted Horse Population in Illinois: Perceptions of Horse Owners, Non-Horse Owners, and Equine Industry Stakeholders
| Contributor(s):: Myers, Kelsey, Mohammed, Fatima, Rickard, Justin W., Meyer, Donald E., Spaulding, Aslihan D.
This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine perceptions, awareness, and knowledge of the unwanted horse population in Illinois from the viewpoint of horse owners, non-horse owners, and equine industry stakeholders. A questionnaire included items that pertained to knowledge of...
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Tailored Enrichment Strategies and Stereotypic Behavior in Captive Individually Housed Macaques (Macaca spp.)
| Contributor(s):: Cannon, Tessa H., Heistermann, Michael, Hankison, Shala J., Hockings, Kimberley J., McLennan, Matthew R.
The welfare of nonhuman animals in captivity is widely dependent on the natural psychological, physical, and behavioral needs of the animals and how adequately these needs are met. Inability to engage in natural behaviors can lead to chronic stress and expression of stereotypic behavior. The...
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Social Behavior of Adult Male New Zealand White Rabbits Housed in Groups or Pairs in the Laboratory
| Contributor(s):: Jr, Louis DiVincenti, Rehrig, Angelika
Rabbits are usually singly housed in laboratories, but a new emphasis on providing social housing for social species has prompted exploration of alternative housing for this species. However, a paucity of literature on the social behavior of rabbits in captivity has prevented scientific-based...
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Show Horse Welfare: The Viewpoints of Judges, Stewards, and Show Managers
| Contributor(s):: Voigt, Melissa, Hiney, Kristina, Croney, Candace, Waite, Karen, Borron, Abigail, Brady, Colleen
The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the current state of stock-type show horse welfare based on the perceptions of show officials and to identify potential means of preventing and intervening in compromises to show horse welfare. Thirteen horse show officials,...
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Show Horse Welfare: Horse Show Competitors' Understanding, Awareness, and Perceptions of Equine Welfare
| Contributor(s):: Voigt, Melissa A., Hiney, Kristina, Richardson, Jennifer C., Waite, Karen, Borron, Abigail, Brady, Colleen M.
The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of stock-type horse show competitors' understanding of welfare and level of concern for stock-type show horses' welfare. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that included questions relating to (a) interest and general...
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Residents’ Management of, and Attitudes Towards, the Dog Population on Two Mariana Islands
| Contributor(s):: Schafer, Nicole P., Farnworth, Mark
This study reports the level of care dogs received from their caretakers and the attitudes of caretakers and non-caretakers toward dogs on the islands of Guam and Saipan. Surveys were collected from residents of Guam and Saipan (274 and 275, respectively) and analyzed using chi-squared tests....
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Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Horses to Wither Scratching and Patting the Neck When Under Saddle
| Contributor(s):: Thorbergson, Zoë W., Nielsen, Sharon G., Beaulieu, Rodney J., Doyle, Rebecca E.
Riding is considered to be an arousing activity for horses. It has been suggested that wither scratching may be a more useful tool for relaxation compared with the common practice of neck patting. In the current study, 18 horses were exposed to 3 treatments, including control or no interaction,...
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Investigating Potential Effects of the Contraceptive Implanon on the Behavior of Free-Ranging Adult Female Barbary Macaques
| Contributor(s):: Maijer, Amanda M., Semple, Stuart
In recent years, the use of hormonal contraception in captive, free-ranging, and wild mammal populations has increased, but the effects on these nonhuman animals' behavior and the associated welfare impacts remain poorly understood. This study of free-ranging adult female Barbary macaques (Macaca...
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Influence of Paddock Size on Social Relationships in Domestic Horses
| Contributor(s):: Majecka, Katarzyna, Klawe, Aneta
The aim of this study was to explore whether the size of paddocks affected social interactions within a group of horses. Furthermore, the effects of the gender composition in groups on social behavior were investigated. The research was done in a horse-riding center. A total of 78 horses and...
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Guardians' Perceptions of Dogs' Welfare and Behaviors Related to Visiting the Veterinary Clinic
| Contributor(s):: Mariti, Chiara, Pierantoni, Ludovica, Sighieri, Claudio, Gazzano, Angelo
A large survey of Italian dog guardians (n = 906) was conducted to assess dog behavior and welfare at the veterinary clinic and to investigate how guardians and veterinarians affect them. This study confirmed that the veterinary clinic is a source of stress for most dogs, who showed impaired...
