Understanding Animal Welfare: The Science in its Cultural Context

"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.

" 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

Part I: Animal Welfare in Context.

Introduction.

1. Animals and Moral Concern.

2. Animals in the Human Mind.

3. A Good Life for Animals.

4. A Science of Animal Welfare?.

Part II: Studying Animal Welfare.

Introduction.

5. Disease, Injury and Production.

6. Stress .

7. Abnormal Behaviour.

8. Affective States.

9. Natural Living.

10. Preferences and Motivation.

Part III: Drawing Conclusions about Animal Welfare.

Introduction.

11. How Do The Different Measures Relate To Each Other?.

12. Selecting and Combining Criteria of Animal Welfare.

13. Animal Welfare, Values and Mandated Science.

Coda.

References.

Index

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.

"Recommended ... it will probably become recognized as a primary source on historical and cultural attitudes, behaviour and beliefs on animal welfare." ( Journal of Agricultural Science, 2009)

"David Fraser takes an historical framework of modem animal welfare. This outlook provides past views of empirical, ethical, and cultural perspectives that have shaped today′s stance on animal care." (Animal Keepers′ Forum, September 2009)

"[This book] is truly a seminal text for laypersons and professionals to aid them in Understanding Animal Welfare. The author provides many examples of point–counterpoint arguments that have been made regarding the status of animals and the ranges of acceptable welfare requirements as viewed or stated during those debates." (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 2009)

"This remarkable book demonstrates how to ask the proper questions and proposes several answers." (The Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, May 2009)

"The science in its cultural context provides a fresh approach to any studying or working in animal welfare science, and for college–level libraries catering to them. Modern welfare issues are surveyed in a coverage of highlights of issues and ideas from a range of disciplines, from science to moral issues. A key text for college libraries." (Midwest Book Review, March 2009)

"It will probably become recognized as a primary source on historical and cultural attitudes, behaviour and beliefs on animal welfare." (Experimental Agriculture, 2009)