Today's Veterinary Practice

JUL-AUG 2011

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

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| WELFARE & ETHICS IN VETERINARY SHELTER MEDICINE UÊPheromone spray can incorporate olfactory inter- est into an environment sterilized to minimize disease transmission. stimulate cognitive and sensory aspects of enrich- ment. UÊMusic can provide auditory stimulation and visual sense can be enhanced through windows/screens in habitat space. UÊTraining and human–animal bonding can be cognitively and socially stimulating for animals that enjoy human contact, and are important to increasing adoption rates. ENSURING WELFARE Modern shelters are fulfilling an increasing role in society due to their expertise, outreach, and health management programs. As a whole, their mis- sions focus upon humane care and public protec- tion. However, scientific research, education, and enhanced shelter programs are improving the welfare of shelter animals and contributing to the overall body of knowledge about shelter species, animal behavior, welfare, and companion animals. Education and public participation in activities raise awareness of the difficulties faced by shelters and shelter animals. It is important to cultivate reverence for these animals, and the educational opportunities and interactions within the shelter and community should incorporate this goal, as it is our duty to ensure the humane care and wellbeing of the animals in our charge. ■ Acknowledgements The author is grateful for the intellectual insight of Drs. Sheila Chase and Joseph Barber. References 1. Webster AJ. What use is science to animal welfare? Naturwissenschaften 1998; 85(6):262-269. 2. Dawkins MS. Evolution and animal welfare. Q Rev Biol 1998; 73(3):305-328. 3. Mason G, Clubb R, Latham N, Vickery S. Why and how WELFARE AS ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL Concerns for shelter animal welfare have fostered considerable efforts to improve conditions in shelter management programs. However, budgetary con- straints and/or knowledge gaps can limit the extent to which welfare concerns can be met.19 Shelter animal care and management programs designed to produce high levels of welfare should engage in:4,27-29 U High-quality veterinary care U Enrichment for the animals U Shelter staff training and education U Research and education related to updated stan- dards of care, management, and advocacy issues U Leadership implementation and improved com- munication U Establishing a system of planning, accurate and consistent documentation, evaluating, and regu- lating shelter care and management.4,29 Shelter veterinarians play an important role in devel- oping and evaluating management and enrichment methods. The needs of each animal should be evalu- ated, and balanced in accordance with population requirements and enrichment programs tailored to accommodate changing needs over time. In light of this, successful health care and welfare management requires collaboration and communication among shelter veterinarians, staff, behaviorists, trainers, and researchers.4,29 54 Today’s Veterinary Practice July/August 2011 Sherry Loveless is an interdisciplinary scholar, ethologist, and artist whose work focuses on animal welfare and ethical and social responsibility. She is currently affiliated with the Animal Behavior and Conservation Program of Hunter College, City University of New York and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Virginia. Ms. Loveless is also the artistic director and managing editor of Synesis: A Journal of Science, Technology, Ethics and Policy and managing editor of Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine. Her specific research interests include feline and equine behavior; animal cognition; animal use and welfare in research, sport, and public life; and human responsibility in these areas. Ms. Loveless’ experience as a lifelong equestrian has provided a hands-on education and living laboratory that afforded insights into animal (and human) behavior and the importance of science and ethics to inform guidelines, policies, and laws to insure animal safety and well-being.

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