Do Animals Understand "Work"?
A study looking at the behavior of animals used for a specific
function raised the question of whether and how domesticated animals
participate in "work" and what that means to them – and our
treatment of them.
Study Summary
Three months of obser...
Assessing the Use of Chimpanzees in Research
A report recently issued by the national Institute of Medicine [1] is
resulting in major changes in whether and how chimpanzees are used for
research in the United States (one of only two countries in the world
that permit the use of chimps at all...
The Chemistry of Bonding
To test a hypothesis about human-animal bonding, a study in Sweden
measured the chemical responses dogs and people experienced when
interacting with each other for short periods. The study was published
in the journal Anthrozoos [1].
Study Summary:
...
Empathy and Attitudes
A study published in the Society "> journal looked at the role of
empathy in attitudes toward animal cruelty.
Study Summary
Recognizing that "Knowledge of the factors influencing attitudes
toward animals has implications for prevention and interven...
Who's Minding the IACUC?
A recent study of the membership of Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committees (IACUCs) at U.S. universities found a disproportionate
number of animal researchers and others working in animal research
labs.
Study Summary:
Institutional Animal C...
Youth Attitudes Toward Hunting
A study commissioned by the Hunting Heritage Trust in cooperation
with the National Shooting Sports Foundation looked at "Understanding
the Impact of Peer Influence on Youth Participation in Hunting and
Target Shooting." It included two focus grou...
Understanding Bystander Apathy
A study published in the journal Anthrozoos examined how children and
adolescents respond when witnessing animal abuse, and why many do not
intervene to help animal victims.
Study Summary
Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 25 late adoles...
21st Century Toxicology
A recent edition of ALTEX, published by Johns Hopkins University's
Bloomberg School of Public Health, features an overview of developing
changes in the way toxicology studies are being modified to improve
results and reduce or replace the traditional...
Consumer Perceptions of Farmed Animal Welfare
Several studies of U. S. consumer attitudes toward the idea of
"humanely raised" meat show how people are learning about and reacting
to issues of cruelty to farmed animals.
Study Summary
This brief report summarizes surveys and studies that addres...
Workforce Needs in Veterinary Medicine
A report issued this year by the National Academies Press addresses
the current state of the veterinary field in the United States
regarding employment, pay, veterinary school enrollment, and subfields
within the profession. The authors conclude that...
Is "Local" Meat Sustainable?
A report from the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research
Service evaluated the availability of local slaughter facilities,
which accommodate the growing but still relatively small demand for
locally sourced meat products. That demand is ...
Revered or Reviled? Conflicted Relationships with Animals
Some readers may remember an image that once appeared on billboards
and buses; it showed a cat and a piglet in profile, almost touching
nose to snout. The caption above read, "Who do you pet and who do you
eat?" It is no surprise to animal advocates ...
Familiarity and Animal Minds
A study from the University of Portsmouth (U.K.) looked at whether
familiarity with companion animals influences people's perceptions of
emotions in other species.
Study Summary
A "belief in animal mind" has been established as a major factor when
...
Going in Circles
Visitors to zoos and aquariums often see animals pacing, swimming in
circles, or performing similar acts not normally found in nature. For
those concerned about the well-being of captive animals, such
observations raise serious questions about the ab...
Understanding Attitudes Toward Animal Research
A study published in Anthrozoos examines public attitudes toward
animal research to sort out why studies to date have such varied
results.
Study Summary
Balancing for gender and age and varying degree of urbanization,
researchers held five focus ...
