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Humane Trends Baseline Report (2011)

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Short Description:

Humane Trends is a barometer of the status of animal protection in the United States. This study brings together a collection of 25 diverse indicators to assess the status and progress of animal well-being, providing a comprehensive view of animal use and abuse in the United States to help inform animal advocates as well as policymakers and the public. Although Humane Trends compiles the most accurate data currently available for each indicator, the overall study is limited by the lack of reliable data regarding animal protection issues. Humane Trends serves to underscore the need for further research and more accurate information about our treatment of animals.

Abstract:

The Humane Trends study, from the Humane Research Council, includes 25 indicators organized into five categories that together provide a quantitative evaluation of the state of animal protection in the United States. The overall “score” for the United States is calculated from the equally weighted average of the scores for the five categories of indicators. The category scores, in turn, are calculated from the equally weighted average of the indicator scores within each category. Each individual key indicator is scored on a 100-point scale using a unique approach appropriate for that indicator, as described in the following pages.

The indicator scores range from a low of 4 for Farmed Animals to a high of 48 for Companion Animals, on a 100-point scale. The fact that no category of indicators has a score higher than 48 supports the view that there is significant room to improve the status of animal protection in the United States. This is due in part to the fact that the United States is at or near its peak levels of animal consumption, which drives the scores lower. For the scores to improve over time, the U.S. will need to both reduce its use of animals and improve conditions for the reduced number of animals.

The overall score for the United States is 34. This is the equally weighted average of the scores for all of the individual indicators included in the Humane Trends study. The scores for all categories and individual indicators are provided in the report as are detailed descriptions and methodologies for each indicator.

The full report is available for download by clicking the link below to access the PDF file.

Attachment	Size
Humane Trends Baseline Report.pdf	1.4 MB

You can also access all of the same information that is included in the report on our interactive website:

http://www.humanetrends.org/

Spot Check Number: 1783

Researcher/Author: Humane Research Council

Animal Type: Various

Record Type: Data and Statistics, Research Study, Organizational Publication or Materials

Research Method: Case Study, Experimental/Modeling/Applications, Focus Group, In Person Interview/Survey, Literature Review, Online Survey, Panel Survey, Print Survey, Telephone Survey

Geographic Region: United States National

Population Descriptors: United States

Year Conducted: 2011

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humane trends report

Submitted by Hal Herzog (not verified) on Wed, 2011-08-24 15:07.

Great report. I am not an animal activist, but I have been studying these issues for a long time. To me, the results look like they are right on the mark. It confirms my belief that the HRC is one of the best sources of information for researchers on how Americans feel about the treatment of animals. Hal Herzog