Understanding Animal Welfare: The Science in its Cultural Context

by David Fraser (University of British Columbia)

• ISBN13: 9781444309485
• ISBN10: 144430948X
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-03-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

"This is a delightful book, full of interesting aspects of animal welfare. An excellent guide to the academic study of animal welfare science." Marian Stamp Dawkins, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford Understanding Animal Welfare: The Science in its Cultural Context takes a completely fresh and thought-provoking approach. It is essential reading for anyone interested, studying or currently working in the fascinating field of animal welfare science. David Fraser places modern-day welfare issues within their historical framework by tracing the evolving ideas that led to current thinking. He also highlights some intriguing issues relating to the contradiction inherent in the term 'animal welfare science' and the practical problem of how to assess emotional states in animals. Special features: * Encompasses ideas from a variety of disciplines to give a broad perspective of the topic. * Discusses methods of measuring animal welfare and their strengths and limitations. * Examines contemporary debates and applications of the science to policy issues. About the author: David Fraser is one of the pioneers of animal welfare science. He has published widely on animal welfare research, its practical applications, and its philosophical basis. He is currently Professor and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Animal Welfare at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and serves as an advisor to many international organizations. "... an impressive historical narrative of the genesis and growth of animal welfare as a scientific discipline. ... The book will be invaluable for anyone involved with animal welfare issues on an academic level or those involved with the integration of these principles into current care and handling issues facing agriculture, companion, laboratory, wild, or zoo animals." Carolyn L. Stull, PhD, Veterinary Medicine Extension, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis "Fraser offers insights only possible from someone with his considerable experience and understanding." Dr. Chris Sherwin, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol

Table of Contents

Animal Welfare in Context

Introduction

Animals and Moral Concern

Animals in the Human Mind

A Good Life for Animals

A Science of Animal Welfare?

Studying Animal Welfare

Introduction

Disease, Injury and Production

"Stress"

Abnormal Behaviour

Affective States

"Natural" Living

Preferences and Motivation

Drawing Conclusions about Animal Welfare

Introduction

How Do The Different Measures Relate To Each Other?

Selecting and Combining Criteria of Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare, Values and Mandated Science

Coda

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.