Advances in Animal Welfare Science – serie

This book, the first in an annual series, written by academicians­ scientists, philosophers and others-is not intended exclusively for an­ imal welfarists and conservationists. Since it is written* by scholars, it will appeal to a wide range of academic and professional readers who are involved with animals for scientific, economic, altruistic, and other reasons. While this first volume cannot cover the entire spectrum of animal welfare science-related topics, it does, in its diversity of con­ tributions, demonstrate the multi-faceted and interdisciplinary nature of the subject of this new series. Indeed, animals are as much an integral part of society as we are dependent upon them. The many interfaces between us and the billions of animals under our dominion (as well as the environment upon which the welfare of human and non-human animals alike is ultimately de­ pendent) have their separate features: trapping and wildlife manage­ ment; laboratory animal research; whaling and fishing; veterinary practice; agriculture and farm animal husbandry; horse racing and the ownership of animal companions; the propagation of captive wildlife and their preservation in the wild; the use of animals as companions and for the purposes of vicarious entertainment.

This second volume of papers dealing with scientific and ethical aspects of animal welfare covers a variety of topics and areas of inves­ tigation. It will be of particular interest to those readers seeking more insight into such subjects as farm animal welfare and humane husbandry systems; animal experimentation, especially in the field of psychology; and pain in animals, notably its recognition and alleviation. Several of our selections deal with very specific subjects that are germane to animal welfare: the use of T-61 for euthanizing cats and dogs, a new humane method of stunning for livestock and poultry, an innovative alternative to killing animals for rabies diagnosis, alterna­ tives to aversive procedures in teaching experimental psychology, and the need for improved theoretical modeling in animal experimentation and research design. Following the precedent set in the first volume of Advances in Animal Welfare Science, we have included several papers dealing with people's attitudes toward animals. These papers range from a consider­ ation of cultural influences and veterinary ethics to an examination of anthropomorphism, to a discussion of the linkage between the environ­ mental politics and perceptions of the Green Movement and animal welfare and rights. We wish to express our gratitude to the Manuscript Review Commit­ tee for the excellent work they have done and to the twenty contributors to this volume which we believe will do much to advance the science of animal welfare, and the well-being of animals under man's dominion.

This third volume of articles dealing with advances in animal welfare science and philosophy covers a wide variety of topics. Major areas of discussion include the ethics and use of animals in biomedical research, farm animal behavior and welfare, and wildlife conservation. Three articles dealing with aspects of equine behavior and welfare cover new ground for this companion species. An in-depth study of the destruction of Latin America's tropical rain forests links the need for conservation and wildlife protection with the devastating impact of the international beef (hamburger) industry, and also highlights serious welfare problems in the husbandry of cattle in the tropics. Papers from a recent symposium at Moorhead State University, Animals and Humans: Ethical Perspectives have been included in this volume. Many of these are "benchmark" papers presenting the most up-to-date and documented evidence in support of animal welfare and rights. Articles oppos­ ing these position papers are included since they were part of the symposium, and because they provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the arguments given in support of various forms of animal exploitation. While there is no intent to endorse these views by publishing them, it should be acknowledged that without an open and scholarly exchange of opposing of constructive exchange and conflict resolution will views, the possibility remain remote.

This second volume of papers dealing with scientific and ethical aspects of animal welfare covers a variety of topics and areas of inves­ tigation. It will be of particular interest to those readers seeking more insight into such subjects as farm animal welfare and humane husbandry systems; animal experimentation, especially in the field of psychology; and pain in animals, notably its recognition and alleviation. Several of our selections deal with very specific subjects that are germane to animal welfare: the use of T-61 for euthanizing cats and dogs, a new humane method of stunning for livestock and poultry, an innovative alternative to killing animals for rabies diagnosis, alterna­ tives to aversive procedures in teaching experimental psychology, and the need for improved theoretical modeling in animal experimentation and research design. Following the precedent set in the first volume of Advances in Animal Welfare Science, we have included several papers dealing with people's attitudes toward animals. These papers range from a consider­ ation of cultural influences and veterinary ethics to an examination of anthropomorphism, to a discussion of the linkage between the environ­ mental politics and perceptions of the Green Movement and animal welfare and rights. We wish to express our gratitude to the Manuscript Review Commit­ tee for the excellent work they have done and to the twenty contributors to this volume which we believe will do much to advance the science of animal welfare, and the well-being of animals under man's dominion.