Companion Animal Ethics Flashcards
What does hedonism dictate a ‘good animal life’ is?
A good life is all about getting pleasure and avoiding pain
What does perfectionism dictate a ‘good animal life’ is?
A good life is all about realising species specific potentials
What does the animal welfare act over in terms of companion animals?
Commonly domesticated in British Isles, under control of man permanently or temporarily or Not living in a wild state
What happens if an inspector finds that the responsible person is failing to secure welfare of an animal?
inspector may serve care notice
What happens after a care notice is served?
Notice specifies nature of failure, steps required for rectification and compliance period
Define pet obesity
excess of body fat that is enough to impair health, welfare and quality of life
What can pet behavioural problems result in?
poor welfare
relinquishment to a shelter and/or euthanasia
Why is the keeping of exotic pets an ethical concern?
- housing, diet, behavioural needs
- Short life expectancy for many exotic pets
- Many sourced from the wild- Welfare issues in capture, transport etc
- Threat to wild populations
How do owners influence veterinary treatment? (3)
- Over humanise and assume quantity of life is animal’s primary interest
- Tendency to avoid difficult realities
- Ultimately have legal power
How doe vets influence the care an animal receives?
- Intellectual or technical interest in condition can shift focus away from the animal
- Career advancement/ego
- Heroic treatments help us to learn more about conditions
State the dilemma vets face when it comes to the treatment of pedigree animals
the veterinary oath dictates that they must treat the animal in need but in doing so they perpetuate the issue, allowing these breeds to survive
