Welfare Assessment

Can sleep and resting behaviours be used as indicators of welfare in shelter dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?

Previous research on humans and animals suggests that the analysis of sleep patterns may reliably inform us about welfare status, but little research of this kind has been carried out for non-human animals in an applied context. This study explored...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Owczarczak-Garstecka, S. C., Burman, O. H. P. 2016. Can sleep and resting behaviours be used as indicators of welfare in shelter dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)? PLOS ONE 11(10), e0163620.

Diffusion modelling reveals the decision making processes underlying negative judgement bias in rats

Human decision making is modified by emotional state. Rodents exhibit similar biases during interpretation of ambiguous cues that can be altered by affective state manipulations. In this study, the impact of negative affective state on judgement bias in rats was...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hales, C. A., Robinson, E. S. J., Houghton, C. J. 2016. Diffusion modelling reveals the decision making processes underlying negative judgement bias in rats. PLOS ONE 11(3), e0152592.

Animal Suffering – The Science of Animal Welfare

I wrote this book because I believe that the welfare of animals is a very important subject but one about which there is a lot of confusion and muddled thinking. I wanted to great deal write a book which straightened...

Year Published: 1980Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Dawkins, M. S. 1980. Animal Suffering - The Science of Animal Welfare. Chapman and Hall, London, UK.

Monitoring welfare and evaluating the impact of environmental manipulations in non-human primates housed under laboratory conditions

The need for a sound scientific environmental enrichment methodology is underscored.

Year Published: 1992Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Scott, L. 1992. Monitoring welfare and evaluating the impact of environmental manipulations in non-human primates housed under laboratory conditions. Congress of the International Primatological Society , 36 (Abstract).

Recent findings in chimpanzee well-being research

Some environmental enrichment options for chimpanzees are summarized.

Year Published: 1993Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bloomsmith, M. A. 1993. Recent findings in chimpanzee well-being research . American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Regional Conference Proceedings, 382-386.

Psychological wellness for captive chimpanzees: An evaluative program

Authors describe the "Wellness Program" of the Primate Foundation of Arizona (PFA) devoted to producing physically and behaviorally normal chimpanzees. Psychological well-being is a major focus. In this paper, the authors present protocols specific to the provision of stimulation enrichment,...

Year Published: 1993Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Fritz, J., Howell, S. M. 1993. Psychological wellness for captive chimpanzees: An evaluative program. Humane Innovations and Alternatives in Animal Experimentation 7, 426-434.

Baboon vocalizations as measures of psychological well-being

Increased grunting was associated with environmental enrichment [radio, food treats]. Thus vocalizations may provide a useful tool for evaluating enrichment programs designed to promote baboon, and perhaps other nonhuman primate, psychological well-being. ... With minimal training, caregivers can learn to...

Year Published: 1993Topics: Vocalization, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crowell Comuzzie, D. K. 1993. Baboon vocalizations as measures of psychological well-being. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 32(3), 5-6.

Addressing animal welfare from a behavioral perspective

Ways of measuring the impact of husbandry training and environmental enrichment are discussed.

Year Published: 1995Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Laule, G. E. 1995. Addressing animal welfare from a behavioral perspective. American Zoo And Aquarium Association (AZA) Annual Conference Proceedings, 333-337.

Terrestrial predator alarm vocalizations are a valid monitor of stress in captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella)

We have most commonly, but certainly not always, documented TPAs being produced in association with the entrance into or presence of humans in colony rooms. Most predictably those humans are research technicians associated with manipulative research projects involving the capuchins....

Year Published: 1999Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Boinski, S., Gross, T. S., Davis, J. K. 1999. Terrestrial predator alarm vocalizations are a valid monitor of stress in captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella). Zoo Biology 18, 295-312.

Effects of training on stress-related behavior of the common marmost (Callithrix jacchus) in relation to coping with routine husbandry procedures

Using positive reinforcement, J. McKinley trained 12 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) to provide urine samples on request. The study then exposed the marmosets to mildly stressful, routine husbandry procedures (i.e., capture and weighing). The nonhuman animals spent less time inactive...

Year Published: 2003Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Handling, Restraint, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bassett, L., Buchanan-Smith, H. M., McKinley, J. et al. 2003. Effects of training on stress-related behavior of the common marmost (Callithrix jacchus) in relation to coping with routine husbandry procedures. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 6(3), 221-233.