Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science最新文献

A retrospective study (Study 1) involving 89 births and 137 newborns was evaluated based on data from two breeder centers during 2019-2021. The sixteen pregnant household dogs were monitored for their weights and ear skin temperature (EST) of the mother and their puppies at birth (study 2). Study 1 showed an early neonatal mortality (ENM) rate of 89% among the births and 10.6% among the neonates, while in study 2 ENM rate was 18.8% of the births and 8.2% of the newborn puppies. Healthy neonates of various breeds showed different mean daily weight gains either during 5 or 7 days of birth (Study 1). Moreover, the average of puppy to mother birthweight (WB) ratio is 0.04, with significant variation among breeds (Study 2). The mean EST of puppies at birth (35.3°C) was less than that respective mothers (37.9°C), showing no significant variation among breeds. A significant correlation (r² = 0.6) was detected between puppy EST at birth and with neonate to mother WB ratio (p = 0.0003). The ENM rate is higher in breeder centers compared to household dogs. EST measurement at birth is a simple procedure to monitor mother's and puppy's body temperatures.

This paper initiates new conversations about using physiological indicators to assess dog welfare. There are significant concerns about construct validity - whether measures used accurately reflect welfare's complexity. We propose evidence-based frameworks to advance canine welfare assessment through improved physiological measurement protocols, challenge over reliance on isolated cortisol measurements, and present actionable recommendations for research methodologies that better consider individual variation. Current evidence demonstrates that animal welfare assessment requires multiple physiological indicators reflecting distinct biological systems. In practice, indicators are frequently used in isolation with limited salient dog descriptors, failing to reflect the canine experience adequately. Using a systems approach, we explore various physiological systems and alternative indicators It is essential to consider factors like age, body weight, and sex when interpreting biomarkers, and researchers should report these. This discussion identifies indicators for both positive and negative experiences. We advocate for a practical, evidence-based approach to assessing indicators of canine welfare, including noninvasive collection methods. We acknowledge the complexity of evaluating experiential responses in dogs and the need for continued work to improve practices, ultimately advancing welfare assessment and improving dogs' lives.

This mixed-methods study investigated themes and factors associated with recent dog adopters declining free over-the-phone support for dog behaviors of concern. At least one behavior of concern (potentially aggressive behavior [PAB], separation-related behavior [SRB], or other behavior of concern [OB]) was reported across 6,317 post-adoption support (PAS) calls made to 3,782 adopters at 2-days, 2-weeks, and 4-months post-adoption. However, for 68.8% of calls, the behavior support offered was declined. Generalized linear mixed-effects modeling and Tukey post-hoc testing showed declining support was significantly more likely at 2-weeks post-adoption compared to 2-days and when reporting behaviors of concern in the following combinations: PAB or SRB individually > PAB and SRB simultaneously > only OB > OB with PAB +/SRB. Inductive thematic analysis produced four themes from adopters' responses around declining help: "Awareness but no action yet", "managing behaviour", "feels support not needed", and "belief of cause". Findings offer insights into adopter attitudes around dog behavior, support needs, and behavioral management. Future research should explore whether declining this support is associated with using other support types and whether uptake impacts overall adoption.

Maintaining high animal welfare in zoos is a persistent concern for practitioners and regulators, yet assessing welfare remains challenging. Welfare assessment techniques should be rapid and noninvasive, as traditional methods are often invasive, time-consuming, or costly. Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) is a promising alternative to ethograms. This study evaluated QBA's usefulness in assessing behavior in ten captive black rhinos in a UK zoo by comparing it with ethogram data. QBA descriptors meaningfully overlapped with ethogram behaviors, for example, agonistic behaviors like horn clash aligned with Angry, Startled, and Nervous, while playful behaviors like head fling matched Lively and Excited. Correlations emerged between techniques; for instance, naso-nasal greeting and environmental investigation correlated with Active and Interested, while tactile contact negatively correlated with Angry and Nervous. Individual rhinos accounted for ~35% of (co)variation, with coefficient plots identifying significant key ethogram behaviors/QBA descriptors. The strong overlap within a joint model suggests QBA is a valuable welfare assessment tool that complements ethogram data collection for this species.

Increasing consumer interest in game meat has globally expanded wild animal farming, with deer being a prominent non-traditional species farmed in numerous countries. Consequently, methods for assessing the welfare of captive animals have been developed over the last few decades, and despite its limitations, the Five Domains Model has become one of the most popular practical tools for welfare assessment. Our review focuses on welfare indicators in farmed red and fallow deer, the primary deer species in European farms. Among 57 studies, the majority emphasized deer health and nutrition, neglecting aspects like behavior and mental state. Notably, a significant portion explored human-animal interactions, especially in deer transportation. Summarizing literature for each domain, we propose reliable physical, behavioral, and physiological welfare indicators for farmed red and fallow deer. This comprehensive approach addresses current research gaps and contributes to enhancing the overall well-being of farmed deer.

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the animal welfare levels in Akkaraman sheep breed in Türkiye. In this direction, welfare assessment was carried out at the farm level with the Animal Needs Index (ANI 35L/2000) method in a total of 71 Akkaraman sheep flock applications on animals were carried out on a total of 1525 sheep. According to the ANI score scale, the average score of all farms was determined as 39.52. In the study, welfare scores were found as 38.32, 41.47, and 38.78 in Çankırı, Çorum and Kırşehir provinces, respectively (p = 0.034); it was found as 39.70, 40.14, and 38.69 in small (≤100), medium (100-200) and large (>200) farms (p = 0.535), respectively. While the Famacha and Fecal scores of sheep were found to be low score in sheep raised in Çankırı than in sheep raised in other two cities, the differences were found to be statistically significant in both parameters (p = 0.007 and 0.021). As a result, it has been observed that having opportunity for animals to go out to yard and pasture has a positive effect on animal welfare.

  This study aimed to evaluate the choice between environments with aquatic plants and the impact of the environment of choice on the performance of bettas (Betta splendens). First, the choice between environments with natural and artificial plants was evaluated. Adult betta fish were evaluated in circular tanks subdivided into a central compartment (neutral) and four side compartments: white, green, natural Elodea (Egeria dense) and artificial Elodea. Ten fish of each sex individually tested for five days. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (time, sex, and compartment). In the second experiment, the effect of the compartments of the first study on fish performance was evaluated. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four treatments and five replications. Female bettas were divided into 20 tanks at a density of four fish per tank. In the first experiment, there was a gradation in the choice between different enrichments and both sexes demonstrated a preference for environments with natural plants. In the second experiment, the environmental enrichments with aquatic plants did not affect the performance of female bettas.

Early-life stress has been well studied in humans and laboratory animals; however, the impacts of similar adversity on the welfare of domestic dogs has recently begun to be addressed. For example, associations between processes linked to mitochondrial function, such as oxidative stress (OS) and proinflammatory immune systems, have been under-researched. Yet, mitochondria are targets and mediators of stress pathologies. This study investigates the impact of early-life stress on OS and proinflammatory immune responses in shelter dogs compared to client-owned dogs. We measured OS markers, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid oxidative damage, catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, as well as inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Shelter dogs exhibited significantly higher lipid oxidative damage (p = 0.0265), lower CAT activity (p = 0.002), higher SOD concentration (p < 0.001), and increased IL-1β levels (p = 0.027) compared to client-owned dogs. Compared to client-owned dogs, shelter dogs showed increased OS and inflammation, suggesting higher susceptibility to zoonotic and chronic diseases.

Rescued animals, including leopards, often experience stress from routine husbandry practices such as feeding, movement, and regrouping. Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) has emerged as a valuable tool for reducing stress and enhancing the welfare of captive animals. This study investigated behavioral changes in rescued leopards during structured PRT. Using continuous focal animal sampling, data on individual and social behaviors were collected during five-minute sessions conducted three times weekly over a period of 12-16 weeks. Twelve leopards were observed across five phases: Baseline, Pre-Training, During Training, Post-Training, and Trained. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant behavioral changes across phases. Leopards required an average of 2.1 sessions (SD ± 4.43 days, N = 29 observations) to retrieve rewards consistently. Structured training led to significant reductions in undesirable behaviors, including aggression (H(2) = 27.32, p < 0.0001) and stereotypical pacing (H(2) = 88.32, p < 0.0001), while engagement behaviors such as locomotion and exploration increased. Affiliative interactions with caregivers also rose, indicating stronger bonds. A decline in out-of-sight behavior showed improved focus, while increased alertness and maintenance behaviors suggested enhanced cognitive flexibility. Overall, PRT fosters positive behavioral changes, improves emotional well-being, and strengthens human-animal bonds.

Research on animals in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) mainly focuses on the residents with little apparent concern for animal welfare. In the context of documented human welfare breaches in the sector the question arises - how do Australian RACF approach animal welfare. To understand animals' lived experiences in this context experienced dog-trainers with RACF employment history were interviewed. These experts were recruited using snowball sampling, with nine participating in semi-structured interviews about their experience of visiting and live-in animals in Australian RACFs. While initial inductive coding produced six themes (residents, animals, handlers, staff, facility and policy) pervasive animal welfare issues were noted. The outcomes of a subsequent, deductive, recoding using a welfare framework are reported here. Overall, with a focus on residents, and in a context of inadequate staffing, training and oversight, the interviews demonstrate systemic potential for compromised animal welfare with examples of dogs being frightened and one accidentally poisoned. These examples and the need to develop legislation and guidelines to guide safe, ethical, animal contact in RACFs are discussed.