Exam - Companion Animal Welfare Flashcards
how do pets enhance human wellbeing
- companionship
- protection
- assistance
- stimulation
examples of animal welfare concerns in companion animals
- tail docking
- shock collars
- inadequate mental stimulation
- inadequate physical stimulation
- extreme breeding
definitions of exotic species
- non-native to local area
- wild or undomesticated
- non-traditional
3 factors to know which species make suitable pets
- no appreciable risk of harm to the community or environment
- adequately meet the needs of the species within captivity
- suitable interactions with humans to ensure continued commitment
expectations for guardians
type of relationship you want?
types of activities you enjoy or want to do with pet?
dealbreakers?
lifestyles of guardians?
- time available each day
- consistency of schedule
- financial constraints
- other responsibilities?
what do animal needs depend on
breed
age
source
considerations with breeds
- common health issues
- care requirements
- behaviour
considerations with age
- energy level
- training
- previous experiences
- health concerns
considerations with source
- breeder
- rehoming
- retail
- shelter
what does good pet welfare require
- appropriate knowledge of the needs to species and availability of appropriate supplies, environments and medical care
- appropriate match between guardian and animal
- ethical sourcing
4 common welfare issues
- unmet behavioural needs
- undesirable behaviour problems
- inappropriate training methods
- medically unnecessary surgeries
what are many welfare issues rooted in
inadequate mental and physical stimulation
examples of species typical behaviour
- sensory exploration
- digging
- scratching
- hunting
- chasing
- social interactions
- chewing
- resting
definition of species typical behaviours
- model action patterns that are unlearned, innate and species typical behaviours that serve a functional purpose
enrichment
learning what an animals needs are and then structuring an environment for them that allows them to meet those needs
behavioural needs
the ability to perform species typical behaviour
pros to outdoor cats
enhanced exercise and stimulation
decreased risk of unwanted behavioural problems
pros to indoor cats
lower risk of injury, disease and parasites
won’t get lost
municipal bylaws
no unwanted breeding
no impacts on bird and other small animals
3 behavioural needs that good welfare requires
- determining what core needs are for the species
- identification of practical solutions for meeting those needs in the home environment
- recognize that humans are individuals
what percentage of dog owners report undesirable behaviour
40-80%
what percentage of indoor cat owners report undesirable behaviour
61%
what percentage of rabbit owners report undesirable behaviour
29%
what percentage of parrot owners report undesirable behaviour
71%
what percentage of cats are relinquished due to behavioural problems
8-13%
what percentage of dogs are relinquished due to behavioural problems
10-34%
what does good welfare require require in relation with undesirable behaviour problems
identification of underlying cause and meeting behavioural needs
treatment with medication and behaviour modification to change emotional state
operant conditioning
behaviour performance results in a particular consequence - good outcome = more good behaviour
4 problems with the use of aversives
- can cause physical and mental harm
- can lead to the breakdown of the human-animal bond
- can lead to avoidance and aggression
- negatively impacts learning ability
problems with positive punishment
- only changes the behavioural and can make the affective state and response worse
- doesn’t tell the animal the correct behaviour
- it must be aversive enough to outweigh the good consequences of the behaviour, applied immediately after the behaviour and happen every time… often impossible
what can we do about unwanted behaviour
- teach alternative or incompatible behaviour
- interrupt and redirect
- break association between behaviour and reward (remove reward and do not inadvertently reward)
what are good pet welfare requirements in relation to inappropriate training methods
remembering that there are many different options for modifying behaviour, think it through to figure out best plan
critically evaluating the likelihood of efficacy and the effect on animal welfare
what are medically unnecessary surgeries
procedures that are not necessary for maintaining health or that are not beneficial for the animal
why do we do unnecessary surgeries
- to alter the aesthetic appearance of animals
- to prevent behaviours that are destructive of annoying
- to lower perceived risk of injury with minimal benefit to the animal
welfare issues with unnecessary surgeries
- pain during and after procedure
- acute and chronic surgical complications
- impaired communication
- impaired defence and ability to perform motivated behaviour for declaw
what does declawing increase the odds of in cats
back pain
inappropriate elimination
aggression
retained bone fragments
is there any evidence to support need for tail docking and ear cropping for injury prevention
no
what are good pet welfare requirements in relation to medically unnecessary surgeries
- knowledge of the serious welfare concerns with MUS
- remembering there is no evidence to support the need for cosmetic procedures
- use of alternatives available of behaviour modification
overarching welfare issues
pet overpopulation
breeding and selling issues
breed-specific legislation
why do we have large numbers of animals without homes
animal issues and owner issues
welfare issues with feral animals
- limited food, shelter and care
- harsh environment exposure
- serious impact on wildlife via hunting
welfare issues with animals in shelters
- estimates that 10% of pet populations are relinquished each year
- animals remain in shelters for extended periods
- some animals end up in revolving door
good pet welfare related to pet overpopulation
- recognizing welfare issues with feral and shelter companion animals
- encouraging keeping pets indoors and adoption from shelter with good match
- spaying and neutering companion animals in homes, shelters and on the street
welfare issues with puppy mills
- unintentional health and behaviour problems due to poor breeding
- inadequate environments
- inadequate vet care
- ongoing behavioural problems due to poor socialization of puppies during early critical periods
solutions for puppy mills
government regulations for breeders
only purchase from reputable sources
example of genetic health issues with breeding 1
unintentional health issues due to inbreeding
examples of unintentional health issues due to inbreeding
deafness in Dalmatian’s
epilepsy in border collies
example of genetic issues with breeding 2
intentional breeding for exaggerated features leading to health issues
examples of exaggerated features that lead to health issues
English bulldog - head is too large to breed normally
bulldog, pug, Boston terrier: brachycephalic
dachshund - extended back related to vertebral issues and chronic pain
welfare issues with genetic issues with breeding
- pain/discomfort resulting from condition or treatment of the condition
- restricted breathing and mobility affects ability to perform species-typical behaviours
solutions for genetic breeding issues
selective breeding
relaxation of selection for extremes
good welfare requirements for breeding and selling issues
- government regulation on breeding and purchasing from reputable breeders only
- selective breeding to restrict known genetic conditions
- relaxation of selection for extremes
Ontario: dog owners liability act, 2005
responsibility of owners to be reasonably aware, to prevent menacing behaviour and bites
complete ban on ownership of pitbulls
restriction on grand-fathered pitbulls
welfare implications of breed-specific legislation (pitbulls)
unnecessary euthanasia of safe and healthy dogs
owners hide their dogs and avoid detection
dogs retained in confined spaces during protracted legal battles
reinforces idea that particular breeds are “bad”
