Updates

March 2025

1. New publication: Naydani, C. J., & Coombs, T. (2025). Exercise as a welfare strategy? Insights from horse (Equus caballus) owners in the UK. Animal Welfare, 34, e14. https://doi.org/10.1017/AWF.2025.11
2. Symposium: The Global Agriculture and Food Systems Symposium  on The Future of Livestock in Global Food Systems takes place on 25 April 2025. The symposium will explore livestock’s role in nutrition and health, nature and climate change mitigation and adaptation, and in livelihoods and a just transition, in a range of contexts. Full details and registration on the website. 
3. Free online programme (Hindi): Wild Welfare and the University of Edinburgh launched the Hindi translation of the free online programme – Wild About Welfare. The 8 module self-directed learning course is aimed an animal care staff in zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and aquariums. The online programme is also available in other languages. Find out more from the Wild Welfare website – Hindi.
4. Visit: Cathy Dwyer (Director) attended the annual meeting of the EU-funded TechCare project in Alghero, Sardinia, which is investigating Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) approaches to welfare management of small ruminants. Novel technologies that may help to assess welfare in sheep and goats were discussed, and the team visited some Sardinia dairy goat and sheep farms.

February 2025

1. New publication: Cathy Dwyer (Director) and final year PhD student, Wendy Watson, have had a new paper published that characterises horse owners in the UK and the prevalence of welfare issues. Watson, W. L. et al. (2025) Healthy as a Horse? Characterising the UK and Ireland’s Horse Owners, Their Horses, and Owner-Reported Health and Behavioural Issues. Animals (Basel). [Online] 15 (3), 397-. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030397
2. Visit: Animal welfare nurse, Hayley Walters speaks to PhD, Masters and undergraduate students from Hokkaido University’s Vet School and Research Institute for Zoonosis Control, in January, on the sensitive subject of euthanasia. Find out more about the session visit our website
3. Presentation: Rebecca Doyle (Deputy Director) presented at the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional animal welfare meeting in Tokyo on issues of animal welfare and sustainable livestock systems. 28 of the 31 countries in the Asia Pacific were present, giving an excellent chance for dialogue. Many thanks to both WOAH and A World of Good for facilitating this.
4. New free online course: Food Facts: from farm to form, launched by the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Edinburgh, is for anyone interested in food system and its most interesting controversies and questions (including a section on animal welfare).
5. Free online course for vets, vet nurses, and animal care professionals: Register now - Animal Welfare in the Clinic four week course (12 hours CPD). 3,000 have already enrolled on the course, join now!

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