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How to refer to an animal - using the proper pronoun (2007)

LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum]

Abstract

Referring to an animal as it is neither correct nor scientific, because it overlooks the fact that animals, just like humans, have a biological gender. Therefore, they should be referred to accordingly with the correct pronouns he or she. When we label an animal with the incorrect pronoun it, we risk treating the animal like an inanimate object incapable of feeling discomfort, pain and distress.

Published
2007

Animal Type
All/General
Topics No terms assigned.

Citation
LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum] 2007. How to refer to an animal - using the proper pronoun. In: Making Lives Easier for Animals in Research Labs: Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Baumans, V., Coke, C., Green, J., Moreau, E., Morton, D., Patterson-Kane, E., Reinhardt, A., Reinhardt, V., Van Loo, P. (eds), 3-4. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

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