Document type The #LeRendezVousBEA dossier from the Animal Welfare Chair of VetAgro Sup
Author: Marion Weisslinger
Preview: Animals are to be found everywhere, even in intensively urbanized locations! Some may be domesticated (like cats and dogs), but others, such as pigeons, coypu, sparrows, foxes, rats and so on are not. Known as "liminal animals", they live alongside us and are sometimes dependent on us. As they are neither protected nor domesticated species, they are not necessarily protected by law. They may even sometimes be considered "vermin" (although French law no longer uses the term, referring instead to them as animals "likely to cause damage"). Because their presence is often viewed as undesirable, especially when their population levels are high, town and city authorities run programs to reduce their numbers (the collection of stray cats by pounds, gassing of pigeons, poisoning of rats, trapping of foxes or coypu, etc.). This competition for space between humans and animals in cities, and the question of how to take their welfare into account when managing their populations, is a topic of increasing debate, and one in which researchers are taking an interest.
We have had the opportunity to interview Ciska De Ruyver, a researcher in animal ethics, who currently leads a research project on animals in the city, focusing on foxes, cats, dogs and pigeons. She stresses the need to make city dwellers more aware of the presence and behavior of animals in the city, to move towards a better way of living together.
On the program:
- 0:10: Can you introduce yourself?
- 0:37: What does animal welfare mean to you?
- 0:58: Should we take care of all urban animals?
- 1:23: Do you think we need to raise public awareness?
- 1:56: How can we improve animal welfare in towns and cities?
- 2:35: So what practical measures can be taken?
Link to video (3 min 30)
