Discipline: Ethology

Rainbow Trout Operational Welfare Indicator (OWI) Protocol: Grow-out, Seawater (Version 1.0)

Center for Aquaculture Progress

Published in 2026

A standardized protocol proposing 33 operational indicators of the well-being of rainbow trout reared in seawater, with a four-level scoring system and visual references to facilitate their use in the field.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Fish

Go to document

Exploring Viewer Perceptions of Videos Depicting Cat-Dissented “Play” and Their Potential to Contribute to Harmful Interactions

Lyn Henning, J. S., Nielsen, T. D., & Hazel, S. J.

Published in 2026

Study revealing that humans tend to downplay or misinterpret signs of distress and refusal in cats, highlighting the need to raise public awareness about respecting a cat’s preferences and the risks of bites and scratches.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Felines

Go to document

Teaming Up for Animal Welfare: A Cross-Institute Approach to Identify Robust Indicators of Emotion in Pigs

I. Reimert, G.A. Franchi, M. Bagaria, L. Canario, J. Elizabeth Bolhuis, S. Düpjan, E. Verbeek, E. Fàbrega, L.J. Pedersen, H. Telkänranta, A. Eggert, L.R. Moscovice

Published in 2026

Study of 124 sows across four facilities confirming that locomotor play and escape attempts are reliable indicators of short-term emotional valence. Ear position also appears to be a promising measure. Whereas cortisol levels reflected both valence and arousal, oxytocin did not vary consistently across contexts. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Go to document

Decapod Crustaceans in Animal Welfare Law: Fragmentation, Gaps, and Emerging Models in Europe and Oceania

Fruscella L, Sicuso DA, Vitale D, Passantino A.

Published in 2026

Scientific review, highlighting the misalignment between current scientific evidence on the vulnerability of decapod crustaceans and the limited legal protection they receive, advocating for a harmonized regulatory framework based on the science.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

Go to document

Decapod Crustaceans in Animal Welfare Law: Fragmentation, Gaps, and Emerging Models in Europe and Oceania

Lorenzo Fruscella, Diego Antonio Sicuso, Daria Vitale, Annamaria Passantino

Published in 2026

Article highlighting the gap between scientific evidence on the sentience of decapod crustaceans and the limited legal protections they enjoy. The authors advocate for harmonized regulations based on scientific knowledge.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

Go to document

Risk assessment: Difficult to ensure good animal welfare for exotic birds

VKM (The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and the Environment)

Published in 2026

VKM expert report concluding that the welfare needs of many species of parrots and toucans are hard for private aviary owners to meet, notably because of their significant need for flight, social and cognitive stiumlation, enrichment and adapted feed. Seven species are at particularly high risk of poor welfare in captivity. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Go to document

The Sensory World of Cattle: Abilities, Limitations, and Perceptual Challenges in Human-Designed Environments

Maria Vilain Rørvang, Rebecca K. Meagher, Johanna Stenfelt, Emily K. Miller-Cushon, Sheikh Rishad Ahmmad, Maria Camila Ceballos

Published in 2026

Review summarizing current knowledge on the sensory abilities of cattle (vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). It highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly with regard to smell, taste, and touch. It stresses the importance of taking better account of cattle’s sensory perceptions to adapt their housing environments and improve their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Go to document

Use of Enrichment in Broilers

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2026

Protocole spécifique d’évaluation des enrichissements environnementaux chez les poulets de chair

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Go to document

Music and animal welfare: from behavioral and physiological effects to potential applications in animal husbandry

Zhu G, Wang L, Wu Z, Feng L, Shao F

Published in 2026

Review examining the mechanisms of musical perception in animals and its effects on their behavior, physiology, and welfare. It highlights potential benefits, including stress reduction, and emphasizes the value of fish as models for studying the evolutionary basis of musical perception and improving animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Go to document

Review: The Roles of Individuality and Social Life in Shaping Positive Animal Welfare in Livestock Species

Charlotte Goursot, Sara Hintze, Maria Vilain Rørvang, Océane Schmitt, David Arney, Xavier Boivin, Anita Koni, Camille Montalcini, Ruth C. Newberry, Céline Tallet, Manja Zupan Šemrov, Sébastien Goumon

Published in 2026

Review highlighting that animal welfare depends on the interaction between individual characteristics and social life. It emphasizes the role of affiliative interactions, sociability, and social skills as levers for improving the welfare and management of farm animals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Go to document