Lab 4: companion animal welfare

Question 1

why is meeting behavioural needs critically important

Answer 1

Behavioural needs – adequate mental and physical stimulation

• Many welfare issues rooted in inadequate mental and physical stimulation
• What does the animal do all day, and is it enough for the species/breed and life stage?
• Many owners have unrealistic expectations

Question 2

results of feline declaw:

Answer 2

Increased odds of:
* Back pain
* Inappropriate elimination
* Aggression

• Radiographic evidence of retained bone fragments
• Some improvements with optimal surgical techniques

Question 3

Medically Unnecessary Surgeries; welfare issues

Answer 3

• Surgical complications
• Impaired communication
• Impaired defense for declaw

Question 4

does ear-cropping, tail docking, or declawing have a medical purpose?

Answer 4

• Ear crop – not related to ear infection risk
• Tail dock – minimal effect on tail injuries
• Declaw and debark - behavioural prevention and alternatives available

Question 5

population welfare issues of cats

Answer 5

Feral cats
* Limited food and care, often harsh environments

Animals in shelter
* ~10% of pet population relinquished per year
* 15% of dogs and 50% of cats euthanized
* Many animals remain in shelters for extended periods
* Some animals end up in revolving door

Question 6

Breeding for profit
* Welfare issues

Answer 6

• Unintentional health and behaviour problems
• Inadequate environments
• Inadequate veterinary care
• Ongoing behavioural problems due to poor socialization during early critical periods

Question 7

Breeding for profit
solutions to welfare issues

Answer 7

• Government regulations for breeders
• Only purchase from reputable sources – not pet stores or online

Question 8

Genetic issues with breeding

Answer 8

Unintentional health issues
* Deafness in dalmatians, epilepsy in border collies

Intentional breeding for exaggerated features

Welfare consequences
* Pain or discomfort resulting from the condition or
treatment of the condition
* Restricted mobility affecting ability to perform species- typical behaviours

Question 9

Breed-specific legislation issues

Answer 9

• Welfare issues with people hiding dogs – socialization and lack of vet
  care
• Any dog can bite – no evidence that pitbulls are worse than other breeds, or that bans are effective
• Difficult to identify pitbull type dogs
• Education and enforcement are more effective

Question 10

Sport fighting

Answer 10

• Generally illegal but thrives underground as sport/gambling

Welfare issues:
* Animal injury and death – fights last 1-2 hours
* Suboptimal housing and care
* Training with bait animals
* Encourages insensitivity to animals in general