Master of Science in Animal Welfare and Behavior Capstone Projects
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Publication The Effect of Implementing a Quiet-Hour in a Kennel Environment on the Activity Levels of Working Dogs(2024) Amanda ChristyStudies have shown that dog kennels are considered an overstimulating environment which can result in a negative welfare state. This study investigated the effects of implementing a quiet-hour during the day on the activity levels of 12 working dogs. Dogs had accelerometers placed on their collars and activity levels were recorded continuously for three weeks. After the first three weeks, a quiet-hour was implemented from 12-1pm each day (Monday-Friday) and data was continuously recorded for another three weeks. The implementation of a quiet-hour reduced not only overall activity levels, but also activity levels at night when the dogs were not in the kennel as well as during the days the dogs were not in the kennel (weekends and holidays). Quiet- hour is an easily implemented method that has the potential to improve welfare of not only working dogs, but other dogs in a kennel environment. Further studies are required to explore the extent of how a quiet-hour could improve sleep patterns and the performance of working dogs.Publication Exploring Feline Aggression: A Comprehensive Understanding of the Cat-Owner Relationship(2024) Kaitelyn DorletteThe dynamics of cat-owner relationships are often marred by misconceptions, particularly regarding feline aggression. This study explores the complexities of aggression in cats, investigating its various forms and origins to provide a nuanced understanding for owners. This study compares behaviors in single-cat and multi-cat households, analyzing how social structures and human interaction influence feline aggression. Behavioral data were collected through structured observation forms completed by cat owners. Results indicate that multi-cat households exhibit higher frequencies of aggressive and stress-related behaviors, such as ear flattening, hissing, and scratching, compared to single-cat households. Conversely, single-cat households show higher frequencies of biting and retreating, likely due to the solitary cats' reliance on humans for social interaction and stimulation. The study suggests that the presence of multiple cats increases social stress, resulting in more frequent aggressive behaviors. In contrast, single cats may direct their aggression toward their owners or exhibit stress through withdrawal. Promoting multi-pet households could mitigate some aggressive behaviors by fulfilling the social needs of cats, potentially reducing aggression towards humans and enhancing feline well-being. This research aims to educate cat owners about feline aggression's intricacies, advocating for better understanding and improved cat-owner interactions, ultimately contributing to higher adoption rates and better care for domestic cats.Publication Overlooked Cats and Evidence-based Strategies to Get Them Adopted(2024) Laura McRaeAbstract included in video presentationPublication A Call to Action: Companion Animal Welfare Determination at the Clinical Veterinary Encounter(2024) Indu ManiThere is a dearth of animal welfare education and implementation in the companion animal medical setting, which may cause many companion animals to suffer diminished welfare without veterinarian or pet owner recognition or awareness. Patient suffering and clinical moral distress may be common sequelae of the lack of companion animal welfare assessment, since quality of life measurements, commonly used in veterinary medicine, may not be adequate substitutes for welfare assessment. This capstone will propose the creation of a companion animal welfare tool at the point of clinical care powered by artificial intelligence, with the primary goal of objective, unbiased, valid, and reliable welfare assessment to identify and improve poor welfare in patients. This will provide ongoing welfare education to practitioners as another medical indicator of patient status.Publication The Role of Farmer Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Animal Welfare Audits and the Impact on Animal Welfare Outcomes(2024) Cassity, LockardConsumers consider a number of factors when making purchasing decisions. Among the common drivers such as price, convenience, taste, and health, sustainability has also emerged as an important influence in society. Although sustainability is a broad term, animal welfare falls under this umbrella as an ethical consideration and viewpoint consumers reportedly care about. As a result, the assessment of animal welfare has become an essential practice driven by the increasing concerns to provide assurances that farmers are meeting industry standards for animal welfare expectations. To provide this assurance, animal welfare programs, standards, and schemes have emerged, with animal welfare audits a common component of these programs used to assess the welfare of animals. These animal welfare audits are one of the most commonly utilized mechanisms to ensure these standards are being met, as can be supported by market claims and certifications. With the evidence that attitudes impact animal welfare, this paper explores farmer attitudes and perceptions towards animal welfare audits more specifically, and the impact they have on animal welfare and animal welfare outcomes. Due to the gaps between farmer and consumer, the complexities of animal welfare audits, extraneous variables unrelated to animal welfare that influence farmer perceptions during the audit process, as well as conflicting welfare goals that may not align with farmer beliefs, it may not be possible to separate these factors from interfering with these perceptions. As a result, more research is needed in order to determine how audits and farmer attitudes and perceptions towards audits influence animal welfare.Publication A SURVEY TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF THE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE AND WELFARE OF CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) UNDERGOING REHABILITATION AT RESCUE CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.(2024) Megan Ann KoehnCalifornia sea lions are one of the most common pinniped species to strand along the United States west coast, particularly along California coastlines. While data on the number of strandings that occur on a yearly basis, analyses of why they strand, and the criteria for an individual to be released are well documented, knowledge gaps still persist. The welfare of marine mammals under permanent human care has been studied; although more is known about cetacean welfare than pinnipeds. However much less is known about the welfare of many marine mammals during rehabilitation, and particularly about California sea lions. Thus, a survey of those supervising the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process of these animals promises a clearer understanding of the animal experience, and thus hopeful indications of their general welfare, when undergoing rehabilitation. Data collected from survey answers will serve in exploring a wide array of topics related to the rehabilitation process. These topics include those directly related to the animals as well as the administrative background of these facilities. This survey will serve as a way to better understand the interconnectivity of each aspect of the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process while also identifying areas of the process that are thriving and those that may need improvement or further exploration.Publication An evaluation of the awareness of the 3Rs within biomedical research institutions(2024) Jennifer DavisApproximately 1.1 million laboratory rodents (mice and rats) are used for biomedical research in the United States (Carbone, 2021). Contributing to the large animal numbers is the genetically modified mouse. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different strains of mice have been developed to better understand human disease. The principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement, known as the 3Rs, are crucial in ensuring the ethical treatment of research animals. In accordance with US federal law, it is the responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to oversee the ethical use of animals in biomedical research. Many biomedical research institutions continue to face challenges in upholding the principles of the ‘3Rs’, particularly in the aspect of reduction. Here I assess the promotion of the 3Rs, specifically reduction, and welfare in the regulations and standards set by the US government for research involving animals. Additionally, NIH-funded peer institutional policies and staff training related to laboratory mouse breeding and colony management were also examined. Upon review and in line with the existing literature, it is crucial to consistently emphasize the significance of the 3Rs and animal welfare to research staff. These principles should be integral to training programs, actively implemented by all individuals engaged in animal research oversight, and regularly referenced by regulatory agencies.Publication CARING FOR CUTTLEFISH: WELFARE CONSIDERATIONS IN CAPTIVE SCIENTIFIC SETTINGS(2023) Byrne, LeahCuttlefish, with their extraordinary physiology and uncanny camouflage abilities, are captivating and alien creatures. Their allure has long captured the human imagination, and the history of their use as subjects of scholarly examination can be traced at least as far back as Aristotle (Nakajima et al. 2018). This fascination continues to this day and fuels contemporary experimental research, where the use of cuttlefish as laboratory animals is on the rise (Vidal et al. 2014; O’Brien et al. 2018). While research scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of these enigmatic animals, present understanding of cuttlefish welfare remains relatively limited. This paper aims to provide a broad overview of cuttlefish biology and behaviour, and to draw connections between this knowledge base and current welfare practices, as well as potential applications for advancements in captive cuttlefish welfare. Welfare considerations that will be explored include those associated with housing conditions, dietary needs, sensitivity to environmental stimuli, enrichment strategies, and pain management. I will also point to some of the areas where uncertainties persist, in the hope of inspiring curiosity and encouraging further welfare-focused exploration in the general reader.Publication THE HUMANE HUMAN PROJECT: A CASE FOR SUPPORT AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATFORM(2023) Eggers, MeredithIn a world where intensive farming methods have become standard practice and the source from which most marketed animal products are derived, there is limited transparency around farming practices and welfare standards. Consumers lack exposure to and awareness of the implications their purchasing decisions have on farm animal welfare. Because of the focus on driving profits and market share, large industrial farms and the corporations that own and run them would prefer to keep it this way. The Humane Human Project was developed, while I was a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became more aware of the issues that face consumers who want to make more human purchases, farmers who want to implement higher welfare farming practices, and the billions of animals impacted by intensive farming. Humane Human will address these issues by providing consumers with transparent, unbiased information across all species of food animals. It will identify how to source humanely bred, raised, handled, and harvested animal products all in one place. And ultimately it will create a marketplace where these items can be bought and sold. Structured as a non-profit, foundation, focused solely on animal products sourced from high-welfare purveyors and producers, Humane Human will bring motivated consumers and producers together and drive increased demand for high-welfare animal products.Publication REFORMING THE LIVESTOCK INDEMNITY PROGRAM TO IMPROVE FARM ANIMAL WELFARE(2024) Massey, Cameron KrierEach year, extreme weather events put the lives and well-being of millions of farm animals at risk. These events can lead to injury, suffering, acute and chronic stress, decreased productivity, and loss of life. As storms increase in frequency and intensity, efforts should be made to ensure livestock are protected. In this paper, I propose modifications to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), a federally run disaster assistance program that compensates livestock owners and growers for animal deaths and reduced value caused by eligible conditions, including extreme weather. Surprisingly, the program does not require producers to show proof and use of a disaster mitigation plan before drawing down indemnity payments. I believe this is a missed opportunity to better safeguard animal welfare and compromises the fiscal integrity of the program. The value of emergency planning is recognized by federal agencies, lawmakers, advocates, researchers, and many sectors of the livestock industry as an important (or essential) aspect of ensuring animal welfare. Furthermore, an analysis of publicly available data shows that LIP payments have been made to some of the same counties 15 out of 15 years. Repeat payments demonstrate a reliance on the program and proof that animal suffering and death is occurring extensively in some parts of the country. In this paper, I will advance a position that tying disaster planning to the LIP, whether through incentives or a mandate, is a prudent and overdue policy change to the program. The impact of extreme weather on livestock is reviewed, including methods of assessing welfare. The LIP is detailed, including the program’s purpose, participation criteria, and payment data. Past and current congressional and advocate efforts to reform the LIP are presented. New approaches to federal reforms are proposed, as well as a review of private sector engagement opportunities to advance farm animal protections during weather disasters. As extreme weather increases so will the impact on farm animals and cost of compensating ranchers through the LIP. Congressional oversight and reforms of the LIP are urgently needed to better protect farm animals and taxpayer funding of the program.
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