Subject: Human-animal relationships

A One Welfare perspective on calf health: a qualitative study of knowledge, attitudes, working conditions, working atmosphere, and communication among farmers and calf-care teams on large Saxon dairy farms

Douay--Ryckelynck M, Retzler P, Meier KK, Merle R, Müller K-E, Stock A, Jensen KC

Published in 2026

Study showing that working conditions, communication, and staff training can influence calf health. A positive work environment and effective communication within teams are associated with better health outcomes.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Country Consultation on AH&W Priorities and Challenges

SCAR Animal Health & Welfare Collaborative Working Group

Published in 2026

Survey carried out for the SCAR AH&W Group, identifying Member States'  top animal health and welfare research priorities for 2025–2026 . Among priorities identified are a “One Health” approach, disease prevention, welfare indicators, livestock systems, transport, aquaculture, genomic tools, and the impacts of climate change.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal Categories: Fish, All Animals

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A critical review on gender differences in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours about farmed animals

Elisa Cesário Pereira Stadnick, Maria José Hötzel

Published in 2026

Review showing that gender influences attitudes toward animals: women generally express more empathy and concern for animal welfare men. The authors emphasize the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into research and policies related to animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Sommes-nous les parents de nos chiens ou de nos chats ?

Emilie Dardenne, François-Xavier Roux-Demare

Published in 2026

Article describing the relationships between humans and their pets. Pets play an increasingly important part in French families and are widely viewed as family members. They provide emotional, social, and physiological benefits and contribute to well-being and a sense of security. Relationships with them tend to described as family ties—or even parental bonds—in contemporary society.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Domestic goats can follow the direction of human voices to solve a hidden-object task

Stuart K. Watson, Christian Nawroth, Alan G. McElligott, Federico Rossano, Simon W. Townsend

Published in 2026

A study showing that goats are able to use the direction of the human voice to locate a food reward.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Caprines

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Horses Prefer Their Rider: A Strange Situation Test Adaptation Shows Behavioural Evidence for Partner-Specific Bonding

B.A. Kovács, J. Topál, A. Gergely

Published in 2026

A study showing that horses exhibit closeness to and a preference for their riders, suggesting the existence of a particular social bond, but without clear evidence that this reassures them when they are presented with stressors. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

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Chiens de race : l’esthétique peut-elle justifier la souffrance ?

Valérie Chansigaud

Published in 2026

Article recounting the history of the selection by breeders of animals with extreme body types and describing the health and welfare issues that result from this.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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The Influence of Environmental Conditions and Husbandry Practices on Goat Welfare

Pilarczyk R., Bąkowska M., Tomza-Marciniak A., Udała J., Seremak B., Kwita E., Sablik P., Pilarczyk B.

Published in 2026

Study showing that goat welfare depends strongly on the environment, diet, and social interactions. Appropriate farming practices (stress management, enrichment, and supervised pain management) and regular assessments significantly improve their welfare, but further research is needed.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Caprines

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Riding with care: A review of factors that influence the welfare of the ridden horse and a case for the application of the precautionary principle in equestrian pursuits

Caleigh Copelin, Katrina Merkies

Published in 2026

Review showing that the welfare of ridden horses is dependent on many factors relating to the equipment used, the rider, and a horse's health, and that respect for these factors is essential in maintaining the social acceptability that allows equestrian sports to continue. 

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Equines

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Impact of ‘hands-free’ rational handling on operational performance and economic losses in beef cattle

Daniela Costa Cotrim Campos, Adriane Lermen Zart, Claudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro

Published in 2025

Scientific study showing that a cattle-handling protocol designed to reduce stress  significantly reduces bruising and loading times. Economic losses are also lower than those for conventional handling practices. The "hands-free" handling strategy improves operational efficiency without compromising carcass quality.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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