Discipline: Veterinary

Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Equus asinus): Husbandry and Welfare in Europe

Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Angeloni MG, Lee L, Bigi D, Padalino B.

Published in 2025

Review of 97 European studies showing that donkeys are mostly kept in extensive or semi-intensive systems, often with access to the outdoors. Nevertheless, recurrent management, nutritional and health problems (obesity, dental disorders, hoof problems) still compromise their welfare, stressing the need for specific care guidelines based on scientific data.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

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Importance of the social environment for reproductive and general welfare of domestic horse (Equus caballus) stallions

Aleksandra Górecka-Bruzda, Christine Aurich

Published in 2025

Study highlighting the fact that the social isolation of domestic stallions, a common on-farm practice,  leads to stress, stereotypies and reproductive disorders. It recommends that they be provided with greater social contact and conditions approaching their natural way of life, to improve their welfare and fertility.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

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Abandoned animals and those who take them in - First study on abandonment and adoption 2025 (Based on 2024 data)

SPA and Affinity Foundation

Published in 2025

Nation-wide study in France by the SPA and the Affinity Foundation on the abandonment and adoption of cats and dogs in 2024.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°7147 : Quelles mesures pour éviter la prolifération des chats errants ?

Question: Mrs Sandra Delannoy (Nord (3rd constituency) - Rassemblement National). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2025

Government answer to a question from a Deputy on the proliferation of stray cats in France. It summarises existing measures and its support for local pilot schemes supported by a one-off €3 million funding pot in 2024, but, for the time being, envisages no further roll-out due to lack of funding.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Felines

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An analysis of behavioral characteristics and enrollment year variability in 47,444 dogs entering the Dog Aging Project from 2020 to 2023

Li Y, Sexton CL, DAP Consortium, Fitzpatrick A, Ruple A

Published in 2025

Study from the Dog Aging Project establishing baseline behavioral measures for over 47,000 dogs in order to use changes in behavior as health and welfare indicators. It shows that the year of registration (especially after Covid), as well as factors such as breed, age and sex, significantly influence scores for the four composite behavior domains, Fear, Attention/Exitability, Aggression and Trainability.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

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Small mammal owners' experiences of housing challenges and animal welfare: A COM-B and word frequency analysis

Carroll G, Taylor K, Stallard C, Wills A.

Published in 2025

Survey of British small mammal owners showing that the main obstacle to pet welfare is the lack of opportunity to provide  suitable housing, while owners generally show themselves both capable of and motivated in caring for their pets.  Changes in feeding behavior emerged as the most commonly-used practical indicator of health and welfare problems. Improved access to suitable housing and use of these indicators could open up avenues for improvement of welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Mammals

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Domestic cat management in the UK: learnings from a global perspective

Jenni L. McDonald, Dave J. Hodgson, Claire Roberts, Lauren Finka, Vicky Halls,Rae Foreman-Worsley

Published in 2025

Review examining the management of feline overpopulation, which requires a holistic and locally specific approach covering domestic cats, cats in shelters and those living in the wild, while taking environmental factors, feline demographic processes and human community dynamics into account.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Felines

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Cross-cultural variation in understanding of animal welfare principles and animal management practices among veterinary and animal welfare professionals in the UK and Japan

Yuki Otani, Mariko Kanamori, Hiromi Kato, Cathy M. Dwyer

Published in 2025

Survey comparing the attitudes of veterinarians and animal welfare specialists in the UK and Japan through the lens of the five freedoms. It highlights cultural differences, particularly in terms of the importance attached to the expression of natural behaviors and the management of pets.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

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Biology, husbandry systems and farm practices for American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Maria Díez-León, Sabine Dippel, Sandra Edwards, Angela Schwarzer, Denise Candiani, Michaela Hempen, Eliana Lima, Claudia Millán Caravaca, Neil J. Tirchett, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

EFSA technical report updating its 2001 analysis of the welfare of animals bred for their fur (mink, fox, raccoon dog, chinchilla), incorporating recent data on these animals' biology and the production cycles and farming methods used.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Mammals

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Welfare of beef cattle

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

EFSA opinion assessing the risks to beef cattle welfare associated with the environment, rearing practices and mutilation. It proposes concrete recommendations (space, feeding, enrichment, ABM in slaughterhouses). Emphasis is placed on pain prevention, the social stability of animals, and improved stabling conditions and access to the outdoors.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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