Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science最新文献

A welfare assessment tool in development must satisfy several criteria before it is considered ready for general use. Some tools that meet many of these criteria have been criticized for their negative effect on welfare. We conducted a preliminary assessment of the impact of attention bias (AB) trials using threat-neutral conspecific face pairs followed by presumed neutral-positive filler stimuli on the behavior of 21 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta; 15 female). Behavioral observations were conducted following AB trials and repeated two weeks later when no AB trials had occurred (no trial: NT). The association between observation period and behavior was assessed using linear mixed-effects models in R. Trials did not impact any observed behavior except for fear, which was displayed by five monkeys over six trials (four NT). For this sample, there was a significant reduction in fear behavior following AB trials. We, therefore, found no evidence suggesting that AB trials negatively affect behaviour. AB protocols may be suitable for continued development for primate welfare assessment and we encourage researchers to include assessing test impact on welfare in their AB protocols.

We propose a practical method of assessing the personality of horses using five personality axes. Four evaluators empirically judged 19 horse individuals on specific adjectives for each axis. To validate the questionnaire, four behavioral tests were conducted with these same animals (social interactions, novel object test, bridge test,and arena test). In this tests, the frequency of specific behaviors were evaluated to create a scale related to the same personality adjectives and judge the animals based on their reactions.The questionnaire was reliable in determining the personality of horses, since the results were consistent with those obtained through behavioral tests. Additionally, in this group of horses attention reactions were more frequent than fear reactions, but significant differences occurred among tests. This study proposes a practical questionnaire for owners and trainers to assess the personality of their horses. The application of this tool can improve the relationship between humans and horses, directing a more empathic approach in the everyday routine with these animals.

In conservation breeding programs offspring may become orphaned or require additional care to survive. Fostering represents a potential intervention to avoid the behavioral and physiological problems caused by human hand-rearing. We report five fostering events following the maternal loss of three litters (total of ten kits) in the critically endangered European mink. In two of these cases, we analyzed the dams' and kits' behavior during the first week after the fostering event and recorded the kits' weight. Three fostering events were successful, with foster kits surviving until weaning age; two were unsuccessful, possibly due to the age and developmental stage difference between foster and biological kits. Behaviorally, dams appeared to care for all kits equally, without differences observed in average maternal behaviors or aggression between dams and kits, or among kits. Despite the weight being difference between foster and biological kits, we have verified that fostering can be successful in this species. Future fostering attempts should complement behavioral observations with physiological parameters to assess effects on growth and survival and match foster kits with similarly aged litters to maximize chances of acceptance.

This study researched end-of-life (EoL) decision-making processes in small animal practices in the Netherlands, focusing on strategies veterinarians contemplate during this process. Fourteen veterinarians were interviewed about animal end-of-life decision-making. The results of these interviews show that the decision-making process consists of three steps. The first step is to assess the animal's health and welfare. During the second step, veterinarians consider the position of the owner. Based on steps 1 and 2, veterinarians decide in step 3 whether their advice is to a) euthanize or b) contemplate one or more strategies to come to a decision or potentially alter the decision. These results can support members of the veterinary profession to reflect on their decision-making process. If veterinarians know what strategies their peers use to deal with EoL situations, this can help to reduce the stress they experience in such situations. In addition, veterinarians may find inspiration for new strategies in the study results. For the veterinary profession itself, the current results can be used as a starting point for describing best practices for EoL decision-making in small animal practice.

The way horses are trained has implications for equine welfare and training success, yet little is known about the factors that influence horse-owners' choice of training approach (TA). Limited understanding in this area will hinder the development and dissemination of evidence-based training advice to owners. Consequently, this study aims to identify demographic and attitudinal factors that influence horse-owner TA selection. A 22-question online survey collected information from 1,593 horse-owners about their demographics, equestrian activities, goals and beliefs. Participants rated how likely they were to use six different horse TAs on a five-point scale. Multinomial regression analysis and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to identify factors associated with their likelihood of using each TA. Several factors were associated with reported TA use, including age, gender identity, goals, activities, industry role and whether they had training in animal behavior. Beliefs about equine sentience, cognitive ability and whether science should inform horse training correlated with likelihood of applying aversives. This study provides insight for further research and development of educational strategies to reduce the use of training approaches that may compromise equine welfare.

Studying behavioral response to management and housing conditions provides specific evidence to enhance animal welfare. Feeding environmental enrichment (FEE) is a powerful strategy to meet welfare challenges. Lesser anteaters' (Tamandua tetradactyla; n = 7) response to FEE was assessed by analyzing behavior and space use through focal sampling every 5 minutes/24 hours using cameras. Study 1 (S1): space use of enclosure zones (shelter = SZ, climbing structures = CSZ and ground = GZ) was characterized without FEE during 5 days using the modified Spread of Participation index (SPI). Study 2 (S2) used an ABA experimental design during 18 days (A=pre- and post-enrichment and B = enrichment). The FEE was applied in CSZ, the least utilized zone revealed in S1. S1: The lesser anteaters utilized the zones differently (modified SPI = 0.74 ± 0.02), and stayed mostly in the GZ. S2: An increment in feeding during FEE was detected, but it did not modify total activity, most natural behavior, repetitive locomotion or space use. The electivity index indicated that the routine diet was over-utilized and enrichment items were under-utilized. The provision of enrichment items created new foraging opportunities, improving the behavioral domain of animal welfare.

This study estimates the Value of a Statistical Life of a cat (VSLC) in Kamloops, British Columbia, to inform animal welfare policies and community-level interventions. Using a contingent valuation survey, we assessed cat owners' willingness to pay (WTP) for control measures aimed at reducing the risk of premature death among outdoor cats. We compared WTP between indoor and outdoor cat owners and examined how demographic and attitudinal factors influenced WTP. The mean VSLC was approximately $8,000 among those willing to pay, and about $4,000 when non-payers were included. Notably, VSLC estimates were similar for both indoor and outdoor cat owners, suggesting that WTP reflects broader community concern for cat welfare rather than individual pet ownership circumstances. Regression results indicated that higher WTP was significantly associated with female gender, household income, concern for local wildlife, and support for cat licensing. These findings provide an economic basis for policies promoting responsible pet ownership and risk reduction for outdoor cats.

In Brazil, hot-iron facial branding marks brucellosis-vaccinated heifers. Given its welfare impact, we assessed acute and chronic pain in branded dairy heifers. Twenty-four female calves, allocated into control (CG) and branded (BG) groups, were evaluated for acute pain through UCAPS scale and facial grimaces, and for chronic pain, from the 8th to the 24th week after branding, through pressure algometry. For inflammation, temperature in the lesion region (TLR) and in contralateral ocular region (ORT) was assessed. Animals were weighed during all the experiment. UCAPS indicated acute pain for at least 48h after branding (p < 0.05). Unit facial grimace activation occurred in BG (p < 0.05). TLR indicated active inflammation for at least 120h in BG (p < 0.05); ORT did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Pressure algometry could not detect chronic pain in this study (p > 0.05). The weight gain was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Although chronic pain has not been demonstrated, its occurrence cannot be excluded. Furthermore, hot-iron branding causes acute pain and compromises calf welfare, reinforcing the urgent need for less invasive identification methods.

Precocious weaning is a common practise in large-scale sheep-dairy farming, despite causing distress and growth checks in lambs. We asked whether provision of physical enrichment objects would guard against growth checks during dairy lambs' first week in an artificial rearing system - arguably the most stressful period for artificially reared lambs. East Friesian Lacaune dairy ewe lambs aged approximately four to seven days were assigned to an Enrichment condition (N = 27) in which an object in the pen was changed daily, or a Control condition (N = 27) in which no object was available. Feeding and housing conditions were identical for both conditions. Lambs in the Enrichment condition experienced greater average daily weight gains (m = .33 kg; SD = .09) than Control-condition lambs (m = .21 kg; SD = .09) over the first week in the artificial rearing system (BF₁₀ = 3071.15). Thus, provision of physical enrichment may be particularly beneficial for lambs following precocious weaning.

The welfare of horses depends on the ability of their caretakers to accurately recognize and interpret their affective states. This study evaluates the effectiveness of RAiSE (Recognizing Affective States in Equine), an online educational course designed to enhance horse industry participants' skills in identifying equine emotions. The course content was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study involved 45 participants who completed pre- and post-surveys assessing their ability to interpret affective states from 20 video clips of horses. Results of the study showed that participants significantly improved in their interpretation of valence (p < 0.05). Findings also indicated a significant improvement in recognizing negative valence states post-course completion, with overall correct assessments increasing from 61% to 69% (p < 0.05). Participants rated the lessons "Identifying Abnormal States" and "Horse-Human Interaction" as particularly impactful. However, the course showed less effectiveness in improving recognition of positive valence states. The RAiSE course demonstrates potential for improving equine welfare through education, contributing to a more informed and humane approach to horse care. Future research should focus on improving the ability to assess positive affective states.