Posts

Showing posts with the label ANIMAL_WELFARE

When people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too – we found parts of Detroit that are animal welfare deserts

Image
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet. More than ever before, companion animals are a part of life – particularly in cities, where the majority of Americans live. Cities offer access to many resources, but often it’s not distributed evenly. Some scholars describe parts of U.S. cities with few or no grocery stores as food deserts. Others have identified zones they call transit deserts, where reliable and convenient public transit is scarce or nonexistent. While the “desert” framing is controversial, there is little disagreement that access to goods and services in many U.S. cities is unequal. I have studied urban...... Read Full article on HadNews

Chimpanzees stayed in an ‘invisible cage’ after zoo enclosure was enlarged – South African study

Image
Captive chimpanzees are one of the most popular species kept in zoos because of their charismatic appeal and similarity to humans. They are the closest living relatives of humans because of the shared genes and behavioural and psychological similarities. Zoos are ethically bound to care for the animals they house. Many provide environments that care for animals’ welfare needs. However, the impact of zoo environment on the behaviour, psychology and welfare of animals is sometimes overlooked or poorly understood. Historically, zoos have been criticised and labelled as “animal prisons”. But based on my experience and research, it’s clear...... Read Full article on HadNews

Episode of Critter Fixers: Greyhounds, Foxes, and Kittens in Need - Documentary

Image
Greyhounds, Foxes, and Kittens in Need (Full Episode) | Critter Fixers The full episode of Critter Fixers titled "Greyhounds, Foxes, and Kittens in Need" follows Dr. Hodges and his team as they treat a variety of animals with various health concerns. The episode starts off with three adorable puppies, Luna, Nova, and Cilla, who have sores on their paws and are suffering from respiratory issues and intestinal parasites. Dr. Hodges quickly gets to work, cleaning their wounds, administering vaccinations, and deworming them to ensure their health and safety. Next up is Carella, a sick puppy with lacerations on all four paws and a severe upper r...... Read Full article on HadNews

The illegal pet trade industry may be fueled by your relationships | Dr Nimit Oza | TEDxSurat - Video

Image
In the TEDxSurat talk titled "Your Relationship May Be the Cause of an Illegal Pet Trade Industry," Dr. Nimit Oza shares a personal story of bringing home a puppy and the unexpected challenges that arose. What started as a joyous moment soon turned into a nightmare as the puppy, named Vishka, began displaying aggressive and unpredictable behavior. After seeking the advice of a dog trainer, it became clear that Vishka was suffering from behavioral disorders due to being separated from her mother at a very young age. Dr. Oza delves into the darker side of the pet trade industry, highlighting the existence of puppy mills and illegal breeding pr...... Read Full article on HadNews

Wildlife selfies harm animals − even when scientists share images with warnings in the captions

Image
One of the biggest privileges of being a primatologist is spending time in remote locations with monkeys and apes, living near these animals in their habitats and experiencing their daily lives. As a 21st-century human, I have an immediate impulse to take pictures of these encounters and share them on social media. Social media can help scientists raise awareness of the species we study, promote their conservation and obtain jobs and research funding. However, sharing images of wild animals online can also contribute to illegal animal trafficking and harmful human-wildlife interactions. For endangered or threatened species, this atten...... Read Full article on HadNews

How long might your dog live? New study calculates life expectancy for different breeds

Image
The UK has long been considered to have some of the strongest animal welfare laws in the world. Beginning with Martin’s act on the cruel treatment of cattle, through to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and then Finn’s law to protect service animals, UK animal welfare laws have sought to reduce harm and cruelty to animals. But what happens when companion animals suffer or live shorter lives simply because of their genetic make-up? On average, dogs live for 10-13 years, which is considered roughly equivalent to between 60-74 human years. Small, long-nosed dogs have the highest life expectancies in the UK, while male dogs from medium-sized, f...... Read Full article on HadNews

AI is learning to analyze chicken communications to help us understand what all the clucking's about

Image
Have you ever wondered what chickens are talking about? Chickens are quite the communicators — their clucks, squawks and purrs are not just random sounds but a complex language system. These sounds are their way of interacting with the world and expressing joy, fear and social cues to one another. Like humans, the “language” of chickens varies with age, environment and surprisingly, domestication, giving us insights into their social structures and behaviours. Understanding these vocalizations can transform our approach to poultry farming, enhancing chicken welfare and quality of life. Our research at Dalhousie University applies art...... Read Full article on HadNews