The Sciences of Animal Welfare

Description

The Sciences of Animal Welfare analyses the diverse, interconnecting subjects which constitute this fascinating multidisciplinary field, whilst also considering the limitations and benefits of those subjects to the development and future of Animal Welfare Science. This book examines past, present and future practices and thinking, including the wide-ranging interests within society that influence attitudes towards animals and conversely how animal welfare scientists may influence those attitudes.

Key themes of the book include:

• Multi-disciplinary working and its benefits: how we can obtain fresh insights, enliven our thinking and improve animal welfare by operating widely within diverse disciplines
• Questioning the fundamental assumptions we each make about animals and their functional capabilities.

The authors acknowledge the field’s debt to past successes in animal-based science disciplines, successes that markedly improved animal welfare long before the concept of animal welfare entered common parlance. They also recognise the problems which unexpectedly arose, and anticipate future successes.

Suggesting innovative approaches to Animal Welfare Science, and written by world renowned experts, The Sciences of Animal Welfare is essential reading for anyone interested, studying or currently working in Animal Welfare Science.

Table of contents

Introduction

1. Focus of Animal Welfare.

Paths from the Past.

2. Agricultural Sciences and Animal Welfare - Crop Production and Animal Production.

3. Veterinary Science and Animal Welfar.e

4. Genetics, Biotechnology and Breeding – Mixed Blessings Assessment of Animal Welfare.

5. Animal Welfare, Grading Compromise and Mitigating Suffering.

6. Standardised Behavioural Testing in Non-Verbal Humans and Other Animals.

Human Inputs and Animal Welfare.

7. Human-Animal Interactions and Animal Welfare.

8. Environmental Enrichment – Studying the Nature of Nurture.

9. Societal Contexts of Animal Welfare.

Thinking Outside the Box.

10. Integrated Perspectives – Sleep, Developmental Stage and Animal Welfare.

11. The Wider Context of Animal Welfare Science.