Publications

Identifying trends in reporting on the ethical treatment of insects in research

Transparent reporting on the ethical treatment of research animals (e.g., implementation of the 3Rs, replace, reduce, and refine) is recommended when publishing in peer-reviewed literature. This is meant to foster public trust, safeguard animal welfare, and generate reproducible science. However,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Insect & Spider, Invertebrate

Citation: Perl, C. D., Kissinger, C., Godfrey, R. K. et al. 2025. Identifying trends in reporting on the ethical treatment of insects in research. PLOS ONE 20(8), e0328931.

Selection of animal welfare indicators for primates in rescue centres using the Delphi method: Cebus albifrons as a case study

Wildlife rescue centres face considerable challenges in promoting animal welfare and enhancing the care and housing conditions of animals under professional supervision. These challenges are further compounded by the diversity of species admitted, each with distinct specific needs. In Colombia...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pereira Bengoa, V. E., Manteca, X. 2025. Selection of animal welfare indicators for primates in rescue centres using the Delphi method: Cebus albifrons as a case study. Animals 15(17), 2473.

Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Much research has assessed methods of pain control for cattle castration, but there remains a lack of consensus regarding best practice. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research including both an untreated control (i.e. castrated without pain...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Nogues, E., Stojkov, J., Stojkova, B. J. et al. 2025. Efficacy of pain management for cattle castration: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Animal Welfare 34, e43.

Automated facial feature evaluation system to prevent stress of head fixed mice

Head fixation of rodents is a widely utilized and important technique that enables laboratories to measure brain activity during behavior, but head fixation can increase stress which affects both behavior and underlying brain activity, as well as animal welfare. It...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nasr, A., Rettinger, G., Mansvelder, H. D. et al. 2025. Automated facial feature evaluation system to prevent stress of head fixed mice. PLOS ONE 20(6), e0322530.

Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support

The aim of this project was to co-create an animal welfare monitoring system that incorporated both positive and negative welfare measures that would contribute to best practice husbandry standards of farm animals in a real animal research setting. Researchers worked...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Mullan, S., Stokes, J., Hale, H. E. et al. 2025. Voluntary additional welfare monitoring of farm animals used in research: Maximising benefits requires sustained support. Animals 15(19), 2817.

Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals

Nonhuman animals use nonverbal cues to communicate their mental state about positive and negative events, including pain. Pain is a multidimensional process that elicits behavioral changes aimed at preventing further damage and promoting healing. These changes include restrictions on movement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Lanzoni, L. et al. 2025. Clinical interpretation of body language and behavioral modifications to recognize pain in domestic mammals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Comparison of the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in cats: A systematic review

The present study aimed to systematically review the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in domestic cats to assess the quality of using these medications for stress, fear, and anxiety management, and the treatment of both acute and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Miranda-Cortés, A. E., Prado-Ochoa, M. G., Díaz-Torres, R. et al. 2025. Comparison of the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of gabapentin and pregabalin in cats: A systematic review. Animals 15(16), 2346.

Exploring the impact of a brief positive experience on dogs’ performance and stress resilience during a learning task

Learning and stress resilience can be influenced by recent experiences. Research has traditionally focused on the effects of negative situations and stressors on subsequent learning and stress resilience, while knowledge is limited regarding the effects of positive experiences. We aimed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive Testing, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Miller, J., Cavalli, C., Azadian, A. et al. 2025. Exploring the impact of a brief positive experience on dogs’ performance and stress resilience during a learning task. PLOS ONE 20(6), e0326368.

Evaluating the suitability of substrate enrichment for Zebrafish in high-capacity research aquaria

Zebrafish, Danio rerio, show a preference for substrate enrichment within their tanks however this is seldom included within high-capacity research aquaria due to fears its inclusion may impact on their ability to breed on demand. To investigate this potential impact...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: McKay-West, J., Green, M., Chance, R. 2025. Evaluating the suitability of substrate enrichment for Zebrafish in high-capacity research aquaria. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 108–112.

Impact of early social housing on the play behavior of neonatal and post-weaning dairy calves

We aimed to assess the impact of early life housing and play experiences on neonatal and weaned calves play behavior. A total of 96 female dairy calves were recruited from four Scottish dairy farms and assigned to individual (n =...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: McKay, C., Ellis, K., Haskell, M. J. et al. 2025. Impact of early social housing on the play behavior of neonatal and post-weaning dairy calves. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.