General Animal Protection

Severe Mammal Declines Coincide with Proliferation of Invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0800

This study examines the effect of the Burmese python in the Everglades National Park. Burmese pythons are native to Asia but have proliferated in Florida's Everglades due to the release of pythons kept as pets. Researchers find that they have depleted and almost eradicated species of rabbits, foxes, bobcats and opossums in sections of the park.

Study Says Consumers Favor National Egg Legislation

Carol L. Glasser — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0800

Legislation was introduced to the US congress in January 2012 that would require egg producers to switch from conventional cages to "enriched cages." Enriched cages refer to "colony housing," which would need to be phased in over 15 to 18 years. Sponsorship of the survey and the question wording was not made publicly available.

Wandering Cats: Attitudes and Behaviors towards Cat Containment in Australia

Carol L. Glasser — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0800

This survey of adults in Victoria, Australia examined attitudes toward keeping cats indoors. Those who live with cats were also asked if they keep their cats indoors and why. The authors find that most support some degree of cat containment, though the motivations for this differ between those who live with cats and those who do not.

New Survey of Shelter Leaders Shows Strength and Unity of Animal Movement

Carol L. Glasser — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:45:00 -0800

This article summarizes findings from a survey of animal shelter and rescue workers. The survey, designed and administered by HRC, was commissioned by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Respondents were asked about various animal protection issues and their use of HSUS resources.

Protecting All Animals, an Interview with Dr. Bernard Unti

Carol L. Glasser — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0800

Bernard Unti is an historian of the human-animal bond and the senior policy adviser and special assistant to the CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. He recently took the time to answer some questions for me about some of his research and the role that historical research has had and can have for the animal protection movement.

Virginia Voters Oppose Cruel Practice of “Fox Penning” by More Than 8-to-1 Margin

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

A brief survey of Virginia voters examined attitudes toward fox penning and whether there is support in the state to pass legislation banning the practice. The survey found most are opposed the practice and a majority support legislation to ban fox penning in the state of Virginia.

Bystander Apathy in Animal Abuse Cases: Exploring Barriers to Child and Adolescent Intervention

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

Relying on in depth interviews with adolescents who had witnessed violence against animals but not intervened when it was occurring, this study seeks to understand impediments to advocating and intervening for the animal. The authors find that these adolescents act much like bystanders to violence against humans--being troubled by what that they see but not intervening. However, they differ in that violence against animals is normalized in their peer group as "play" activity. Implications for humane education needs are discussed.

The Long and Short of It: A Review of Tail Docking in Farm Animals

Carol L. Glasser — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

This literature review presents research about the practice of tail docking in cows, pigs and sheep. The authors find that there is no precedence of tail docking in cows and that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not ban the practice. They note a lack of comprehensive knowledge about utility and effects of tail docking in sheep and pigs and suggest further research in the area needs to be done. Notably, they highlight that though prevention of fly strike is the primary reason given for tail docking in sheep, there is little scientific evidence to support that it is effective.

Reliability of Indicators of Sheep Welfare Assessed by a Group Observation Method

Carol L. Glasser — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

In this study researchers test eight indicators of sheep welfare that do not require people to physically handle sheep. They find that four of the measures--cleanliness of the breech area, lameness, demeanor, and wool loss--were reliable and suggest these findings indicate that the welfare of farmed sheep can be assessed without physical intervention.

Coming Soon: Year Five of HRC's Animal Tracker

HRC Admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0800

We’re getting ready to launch year five of HRC’s Animal Tracker annual survey of the public opinions and behavior of adults in the U.S. This year’s survey, which will field in March, addresses opinions toward various social movements, who people trust to provide information about animal welfare, opinions about the adequacy of animal protection laws, attitudes toward the importance of animal welfare in various situations, and the frequency with which people discuss animal protection issues. We asked the exact same questions in 2008 and 2009 and will be able to analyze changes over time. When the results are available in April, we’ll also refresh the Animal Tracker graphing tool so that the results will be easy to access and interpret.