News about Animal welfare

Seeing the benefits, but not taking advantage of them: Dog and cat owners’ beliefs about veterinary telemedicine

Using a questionnaire, this study investigated dog and cat owners’ (N = 2117) use of and beliefs about telemedicine and whether beliefs impact past and expected future use.

Willingness-to-pay for reduced carbon footprint and other sustainability concerns relating to pork production

In this 2022 questionnaire-based study, we investigated willingness-to-pay for more sustainable pork among consumers in Denmark, Germany, the UK and Shanghai, China.

Ethicists’ commentary on attitudes towards pet ownership among people experiencing homelessness

Ethical question of the month, June 2023 As a veterinarian working for a nonprofit that provides sup- port to both people and their pets, I often encounter situations where people with low or no income are looked down…

Making a Stand for Animals

Peter Sandøe's book review of 'Making a Stand for Animals' by Oscar Horta.

Quarantine system update

The quarantine from unit 16.4 to the Biocenter has been repealed, which means that animals and personnel can now move freely between these two units without quarantine restrictions. The quarantine restriction between…

Maintenance work at Panum

The service water will be closed on Thursday, August 17th in building 10 at Panum between 11:30 and 15:00. Sorry for any inconveniences.

Comparison of physiological and ethological indicators and rein tension

This study is a first step to investigate the influence of riding on horses affected by Quine Headshaking Syndrome (EHS) and, in general, contributes to a better understanding of EHS.

The Parrot–Owner Relationship and Problem Behaviors in Parrots

This study investigates 1) the relationships between companion parrots and their human owners and 2) the associations between the relationships and potential welfare-related problems.

Ethicists’ commentary on navigating options when clients refuse care due to cost

Ethical question of the month, May 2023 You provide ambulatory veterinary services for pets. You are contacted by the local animal welfare enforcement agency to perform an at-home euthanasia of a dog that was recently…

Conference: Aquaculture Europe 2023

RASOPTA will be strongly represented at the Aquaculture Europe conference (https://aquaeas.org/) on 18-21 September in Vienna by 5 or 6 ESRs presenting their work.

Number cruncher calculates whether whales are acting weirdly

We humans can be a scary acquaintance for whales in the wild. This includes marine biologists tagging them with measuring devices to understand them better. These experiences can make whales behave erratically for a…

Refurbishment of breeding unit 10-4 in the Panum Building

AEM is in collaboration with Campus Service (CAS) planning a much needed renovation of the breeding unit at 10-4 in the Panum Building which will commence April 2024. Prior to that the unit needs to be vacated. AEM will…

Number cruncher calculates whether whales are acting weirdly

We, humans, can be a scary acquaintance for whales in the wild. This includes marine biologists tagging them with measuring devices to understand them better. Now, University of Copenhagen researchers have figured out…

Ethicists’ commentary on Cooperation in the veterinary field and emergency care practices

Ethical question of the month, April 2023 On a Friday morning, a patient is presented with a mild fever and has been acting depressed for a few days. Radiographs reveal a pointed, metallic foreign body lodged in the…

Perceptions of the rabbit as a low investment ‘starter pet’ lead to negative impacts on its welfare

This paper shows that many rabbits live in unsuitable conditions, and owners who perceive rabbits as low investment ‘children’s pets’ are more likely to not provide recommended resources.

Ethicists’ commentary on weighing owner and veterinarian judgments on the best course of treatment

Ethical question of the month, March 2023 A client contacts you after a distressing incident in an emergency clinic with her 8-year-old English bulldog. The dog has some respiratory compromise typical of the breed but…

A critical review of animal-based welfare indicators for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in zoos

This review provides an overview of current valid and promising welfare indicators along with identified gaps in knowledge, relevant for the provision of a methodology for assessing and monitoring welfare of captive…

Qualitative Behaviour Assessment for zoo-housed polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

This study aimed to assess the ability of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) to discern emotional state in zoo-housed polar bears, and further to investigate its validity through associations to behavioural and…

Research project metformin

Celebrating 1½ year of intensive research within atrial fibrillation and effect of metformin. Now data analyses are next step.

Various ways towards animal product limiting - practical and social engagements in dietary change

This paper explores how people engage in the practicalities of animal product limiting and how they communicate about the dietary changes they are making in interpersonal interactions.

Ethicists’ commentary on hierarchies of animal “value”

Ethical question of the month, January 2023 A recent media article on the needs of chimpanzees that are “so closely related to humans” caused me to reflect that people, including veterinarians, tend to ascribe more valu…

Assessing welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score

Paper on welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score. Published open access in Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica.

Ethicists’ commentary on medicine for geriatric zoo animals

Ethical question of the month, December 2022 In zoo animal medicine, the timing of humane euthanasia for quality-of-life issues is an ethical challenge. Should we engage in “therapeutic relentlessness” on captive wild…

Ethicists’ commentary on fabricating the cause of death

Ethical question of the month, November 2022 Veterinary pathologists regularly encounter numerous cases in which a diagnosis cannot be determined. In one such case, a healthy, indoor-only, 12-year-old, neutered male,…