Subject: Interspecies relationships

The human-animal relationship in zoo-housed mammals: Behavioral and physiological responses to visitor and keeper interactions

Domínguez-Oliva, A., Marcet-Rius, M., Gómez-Medina, C., Olmos-Hernández, A., Gutiérrez, Q., & Mota-Rojas, D.

Published in 2024

Study exploring the importance of positive human-animal interactions for various animal species housed in zoos, as well as welfare-enhancing strategies such as enrichment and positive reinforcement. Integrated into the Five Domains of Animal Welfare model, the human-animal relationship must be optimized to improve the emotional state of animals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords: Enrichment, Human-animal relationships

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The beauty of the beast: Suggestions to curb the excesses of dog breeding and restore animal welfare - Invited review

C Diederich

Published in 2024

Review exploring the history of dogs and the challenges faced by modern domestic dogs, whose basic needs are often not fulfilled. It analyzes the impacts of breed standards, extreme breeding and dysfunctional human processes, while proposing solutions to improve the welfare of dogs.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Education, Evolutionary processes, Human-animal relationships

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Human-computer interactions with farm animals-enhancing welfare through precision livestock farming and artificial intelligence

Neethirajan S, Scott S, Mancini C, Boivin X, Strand E.

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis exploring the potential of animal-computer interactions (ACI) to improve the individual welfare of farm animals, particularly in the context of precision farming and artificial intelligence.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animalAnimal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Precision farming, Identification, Welfare indicators, Housing, Modelling, One Welfare, livestock farming systemBehavioural disorders

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Effects of changing veterinary handling techniques on canine behaviour and physiology Part 2: Behavioural measurements

Squair C, Proudfoot K, Montelpare W, Doucette T, Overall KL

Published in 2024

Study comparing application of a stress-reducing protocol during veterinary visits with standard care for dogs. Dogs cared for under the protocol had lower clinical stress scores, particularly during weighing and physical examinations. These results highlight the value of simple interventions to improve animal welfare in veterinary contexts.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Thoughtful or distant farmer: Exploring the influence of human-animal relationships on rabbit stress, behavior, and emotional responses in two distinct living environments

Manon Fetiveau, Davi Savietto, Andrew M Janczak, Laurence Fortun-Lamothe and Valérie Fillon

Published in 2024

Study showing that rabbits living in simple environments or benefiting from positive human interaction displayed more exploratory and interested behaviors towards humans. The quality of the human-animal relationship and the environment influenced their welfare, with no significant difference in physiological stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress

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On your terms or mine: pigs' response to imposed gentle tactile contact vs. free form interaction with a familiar human

Truong, S., Schmitt, O. & Rault, JL.

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing that there are differences in positive interactions between humans and animals, depending on whether they are free or imposed by the humans.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Vocalisation

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Near and Dear? If animal welfare concepts do not apply to species at a great phylogenetic distance from humans, what concepts might serve as alternatives?

Arndt SS, van der Staay FJ, Goerlich VC.

Published in 2024

Synthesis examining four possible guiding principles for the treatment of animals, both sentient and non-sentient, in light of their capacity to experience emotions. In particular, it proposes using the concept of animal integrity, potentially complemented by that of ecosystem integrity, while retaining current concepts of animal welfare for sentient species.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Biodiversity, Consciousness, Cognitive processes, Evolutionary processes, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Dog-human vocal interactions match dogs' sensory-motor tuning

Eloïse C. Déaux, Théophane Piette, Florence Gaunet, Thierry Legou, Luc Arnal, Anne-Lise Giraud

Published in 2024

Scientific article reporting that dogs' response to human speech is tuned to a slower rhythm than humans. To improve the effectiveness of communication with dogs, humans should, and do, slow their speech rate.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships, Vocalisation

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Anatomical and functional basis of facial expressions and their relationship with emotions in horses

Barbara Zimmermann, Alejandra Nelly Cristina Castro, Pamela Anahí Lendez, Mariano Carrica Illia, María Paula Carrica Illia, Alfredo Raúl Teyseyre, Juan Manuel Toloza, Marcelo Daniel Ghezzi, Daniel Mota-Rojas

Published in 2024

Scientific review exploring the influence of environmental stimuli on measurable behaviors in horses, focusing on facial expressions as indicators of emotion. It highlights the importance of understanding these expressions when assessing emotional states and welfare in horses, drawing on studies conducted in other mammals.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Brain integration, Fear, Human-animal relationships

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The Welfare of Dogs and Cats in the European Union: A Gap Analysis of the Current Legal Framework

Contalbrigo, L.; Normando, S.; Bassan, E.; Mutinelli, F.

Published in 2024

Analytical article raising the issue of pet welfare not covered by European legislation, such as ethical breeding, sales, transport and end-of-life care. It concludes that a transdisciplinary approach and better education in responsible pet ownership are essential to improve pet protection via a harmonized legal framework.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Castration, Euthanasia, End of life, Abuse, Living environment, One Welfare, Spaying, Aging, Animal trade

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