Despite substantial evidence of numerous welfare-limiting disorder predispositions linked to their exaggerated conformation, brachycephalic dogs remain highly desired breeds in the UK. National and international attempts to reduce demand for brachycephalic breeds appear to have had a limited effect on significantly reducing their acquisition. As ‘designer crossbreeds’ become increasingly popular, an opportunity exists to leverage the public’s desire for intentionally crossbred dogs to meet the ownership niche currently occupied by extreme brachycephalic dogs. However, evidence on the comparative health, behaviour and dog-owner relationship between extreme brachycephalic purebreds and their less extreme designer crosses is urgently needed to understand whether they are truly higher-welfare. Purebred Pug (n = 51) and Pug-cross (‘Jug’: Jack Russell × Pug; n = 51; and ‘Puggle’: Beagle × Pug; n = 48) dogs were recruited from the UK pet-owned population for veterinary health assessments and to assess owner-reported health, behaviour and dog-owner relationships using established tools. Jugs and Puggles had a less extreme facial conformation than Pugs, with significantly longer relative muzzle length and less stenotic nostrils. Purebred Pugs exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory, ocular, dermatological and musculoskeletal disorders compared to Jugs and Puggles, and accrued increased veterinary costs. However, behaviour profiles and dog-owner relationships were similar between purebred and designer crossbred dogs. These results provide strong evidence of substantially reduced conformation-related disorder burden in designer crossbreed Pugs compared to their purebred Pug progenitor, whilst preserving behaviour profiles and dog-owner relationships that are known key motivators for extreme brachycephalic acquisition. Crossbreeding offers major opportunities to improve the welfare of extreme brachycephalic dogs.

Resource-guarding behaviour is common in companion dogs and negatively impacts human safety, canine welfare, and the human-canine bond. Experiences with resources during critical sensitive periods of development have the potential to influence adult behaviour around resources. Dog breeder management of puppies’ access to resources (e.g. milk, food, and toys) is largely unknown. In this study, dog breeders in Canada and the US (n = 293) were recruited through convenience sampling to complete a cross-sectional survey on breeding and resource management practices and their puppies’ behaviour around resources. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to determine how resources were managed, the association between management practices and reported competitive behaviour around resources, and the use of aversive-based training methods. Breeder introduction and type of food and toys provided to puppies varied greatly. Most breeders reported intervening during suckling, feeding, and playing to ensure access to resources and habituating puppies to sensory stimuli. Factors associated with increased odds of reported competitive behaviour around food included breeder intervention during suckling and eating, country and breed. Increased odds of reported competitive behaviour around toys was associated with food competition, breeder intervention during play, puppy toy preferences, and whether littermates played together. Increased odds of the use of aversive-based training methods was associated with puppy competitive behaviour during suckling, eating, and playing. This research highlights the need for longitudinal studies on the development of competitive behaviour from birth to sexual maturity and optimal puppy resource management for the prevention of unwanted behaviours in adulthood.

Wildlife rescue is a morally motivated practice that seeks to alleviate suffering in free-ranging, predominantly native, wild animals. However, actions to help individual animals in circumstances that appear relatively easy to handle often have far-reaching and sometimes unintended consequences for animal welfare and raise wider concerns regarding animal ethics and ecological integrity. This can lead to difficult decisions that are inadequately addressed by existing triage guidelines. We present three example rescue scenarios as a foundation for exploring the broad range of concerns that may arise, including the immediate and longer-term risks, benefits and conflicts. Each example, drawn from contemporary Australian wildlife care settings, considers animal welfare implications amidst a variety of contextual factors and competing values. The cases include an orphaned Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) whose predicament is relatively isolated from broader ecological and population-level dynamics, a parasitised wombat (Vombatus ursinus) in a field setting where treatment to improve its welfare may affect populations and ecosystems, and a fire-impacted koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) whose rehabilitation involves the making of complicated welfare, environmental and other ethical trade-offs. By evaluating varying concerns as they apply to these examples and others, along with relevant evidence and prevailing approaches, we expose a range of ethically loaded considerations that apply to wildlife rescue. With increasing environmental threats and a shift in public attitudes in support of wildlife interventions, we propose that decision-making competencies and communication can be promoted through further training in ethical reasoning, the adoption of an ethical review process that includes assessment over time and across individuals, and increased transparency.

This paper describes the management and welfare aspects of Working Equids (WEs) in Limpopo Province, South Africa by utilising a cross-sectional study design with data collected via a semi-structured questionnaire. All households with WEs were invited to participate in the study, and 111 volunteered to take part. Approximately half (50; 45%) of respondents did not have a regular feeding schedule for their WEs, while 92 (79%) did not provide supplementary feeding during times when pastures were poor. None of the equid owners (EOs) surveyed had their equids vaccinated while 88.29 and 53.15% failed to provide treatment for internal and external parasites, respectively. Most respondents (79.28%) treated sick animals themselves with 6.31% doing nothing when the animal was ill. A small proportion (5.41%) expressed the sentiment that equids, in particular donkeys, do not get sick. Most (77.48%), on a daily basis worked their equids for 3–6 h, while 2.7% worked them for 7–11 h. Over half (57.66%) indicated that per day their equids covered 0–4 km per day, with only 2.7% reporting that their equids travelled more than 10 km per day. Although 99.10% of respondents allowed their equids to rest during the day, loads remained on the animals during rest time. Within our study area WEs are exposed to the negative effects of inadequate management, and negative stereotypes towards equids, especially donkeys, persist among EOs. The welfare of WEs needs to be prioritised in order for their well-being to improve.

Research on animal disability (defined here as the loss of a critical adaptation that impacts the animal’s stability, mobility, typical behaviour, or perception) remains limited, often focusing on individual case studies or a narrow range of taxa, particularly mammals. This reflects broader taxonomic biases in behaviour and welfare sciences, which may contribute to differences in the care and management of disabilities across species in human care. Zoological organisations offer an ideal opportunity to research animal disability, yet the prevalence of disability and related care practices has not been previously documented. To address this, a survey was shared with organisations accredited through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to assess the prevalence and taxa of animals with disabilities, explore care staff perceptions of disabled animal welfare, and document modifications provided to animals with disabilities. There were 115 respondents, representing 45 organisations (approximately 19% of AZA-accredited organisations). All but one organisation (98% of organisations surveyed) reported having an animal with a disability in their care, suggesting that animals with disabilities may be common in zoological organisations. Animals with disabilities were reported from all vertebrate groups as well as arachnids, insects, and other invertebrates. Birds, mammals, and reptiles were the most likely to receive care and management modifications for their disability. Animal care staff perceived the welfare of animals with disabilities as similar to animals without disabilities. These data can serve as a foundation for future research on animal disability that can inform strategies to enhance welfare for animals in human care.

Lameness is a key welfare issue in broilers, and the development of non-invasive, automated methods to identify impaired mobility is important for broiler welfare assessment. Current methods for assessing lameness in broilers can be invasive and often require broilers to walk, which may induce stress or pain in lame birds. The aim of this study was to develop a computational approach to quantify broiler ambulation by tracking broilers in an open field and exploring correlations between smoothed movement metrics and bodyweight. At 28 days of age, male broilers (n = 46) were video-recorded during a 180 s open field test. The centre-of-mass was tracked using EthoVision® XT17 at 15 Hz. Zigzag trajectories were detected in 22 broilers and smoothed in RStudio using a 40-point moving average (~2.7 s window). The Euclidean distance (EuD) was calculated between the raw zigzag and smoothed trajectories, and steps were classified based on the variation in EuD over time using a > 2 cm noise threshold. Computed steps were compared with observer counts from the video. Smoothing zigzag trajectories reduced the estimated distance by 57.04% and speed by 56.14%. Computed step counts were 23.49% lower than observer counted steps. There was a strong positive association between raw and smoothed distance, speed, and observer-counted vs computed steps. Bodyweight did not correlate significantly with movement metrics. Smoothing may reduce the influence of lateral body oscillations on estimated distance and speed, although the computational step-detection method requires further refinement to reduce underprediction.

Owned horses rely on people for their behavioural needs, such as access to conspecifics, constant access to low nutrient density, fibrous forage and freedom of movement; otherwise known as friends, forage and freedom (3Fs). Restricting the 3Fs prevents horses from achieving optimal welfare. We carried out 14 semi-structured interviews in the UK and Ireland to examine horse owners’ experiences, attitudes and beliefs around the provision of the 3Fs. Most participants were female, aged from 25 to 65 years, resident in the UK and kept their horse at a livery facility. A reflexive thematic analysis identified five core themes in their responses. Themes identified were ‘Choice for the horse is paramount’, ‘Friends, forage, freedom and fear of injury’, ‘When livery yard rules compromise horse welfare’ (sub-themes ‘Control of forage and freedom of movement’), ‘Horse management through the (anthropomorphic) human lens’ and ‘The livery yard – balancing both horse and human needs’. Participants appeared to have a good understanding of the horse’s behavioural needs and were keen to communicate that these needs should be a primary consideration in their management practices. Owners who kept their horses at home stated that their horses should have access to freedom of movement and shelter in their environment. Livery yard practices, a concern for injury in group turn-out, anthropocentric, anthropomorphic and motivational beliefs all appeared to play a role in owners’ decisions for providing the 3Fs. These findings highlight the difficulties horse owners experience when wishing to implement best practice management and provide a better understanding of how such welfare challenges can be addressed.

Cats are among the most popular pets worldwide. However, regulations on the protection of their welfare in breeding establishments are scarce. Our study documented management, reproduction, and welfare issues, as well as their possible associations, in a sample of 512 members of the Associazione Nazionale Felina Italiana (ANFI) using an online survey. In particular, univariable and multivariable logistic mixed-effects regression models were used to assess potential associations between management-related practices and animal welfare proxies (i.e. stillbirth, death at weaning, C-section, reproductive success). Italian cat breeders reported being mainly amateurs, with a median of three queens. Cats were predominantly kept indoors, and 94.1% of breeders reported having a nursery. Approximately half of the queens were bred for the first time at or before one year of age (48.5%); however, we suggest postponing first mating, using contraceptives when needed to support reproductive management. Mean stillbirth and pre-weaning mortality were 4.3 and 3.5%, respectively. Mortality rates were lower than those reported in previous national and international studies. Although breed was not statistically significant in any model, Persian, Bengal, and Maine Coon showed the highest observed overall litter mortality rates. In the multivariable model, stillbirth occurrence was associated with litter size, C-section, and male cohousing with the females’ group. C-sections were required in 6.4% of breeding events and were associated with reduced space allowance. Our results need to be interpreted with caution, but they could still provide useful evidence-based recommendations to inform welfare policy changes.

Addressing the health and welfare challenges that working donkeys face requires a multidimensional, stakeholder-engaged approach. Stakeholders presumed to play a role in the health and welfare of working donkeys were identified through snowball sampling. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect qualitative data via unstructured questionnaires to determine linkages, roles, interests, and influences via pairwise ranking, stakeholders’ centrality analysis, and visualisation using NodeXL Basic. The study revealed that 20 stakeholders were involved in providing health and welfare for working donkeys due to their positions and influence in decision-making. Donkey owners and users (0.84), local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) (0.68), Government Department of Veterinary Services (0.42), academic institutions (0.37), and International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) (0.37) were the key stakeholders based on degree centrality. Interactions among the stakeholders were high, as indicated by the average closeness centrality. The users and the local NGO were the gatekeepers to information based on betweenness centrality. Interactions and relationships among stakeholders have a powerful influence on working donkeys and can serve as a foundation for continued engagement through the sharing of perspectives, experiences, and opinions. The need to mainstream donkey health and welfare among other domestic animals in policy development and resource allocation for service delivery is critical. This holistic approach will not only promote the health and welfare of working donkeys and their owners who depend on them for income generation to support their livelihoods but also ensure the long-term viability of the donkeys as a source of employment.

Laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) are lifted using a wide range of methods that may differentially affect rat welfare and handler needs. Here, we analyse the free-text comments offered by laboratory rat handlers within an anonymous international questionnaire, to offer new insights into handlers’ reasons and concerns regarding how best to lift rats. This may help identify barriers to adopting potential best practice and elucidate what information is needed to develop future guidance on how to handle rats. A conventional qualitative content analysis approach was taken to analyse the data, and three key concepts were identified. The first was ‘a lack of consensus on what is best for the rat’, which highlighted a need to account for individual physical and behavioural differences between rats and between handlers, uncertainty about how to tell which methods are best for the rat, short- vs long-term implications, and lack of evidence. Secondly, ‘job-related influences’ included time pressure, influence of the procedures or purpose, and avoidance of being bitten by rats. Finally, a ‘strong anti-tail lifting sentiment’ was noted, with concerns about the effects of lifting rats by the tail in terms of rat welfare and research validity. The insights offered here suggest that, although the most harmful or impractical handling methods should be avoided, a range of different recommended handling methods may be needed. This would help safeguard rat welfare, feasibility and research validity whilst also accounting for individual differences between rats, handlers, and the varied purposes of the handling itself.

Cat confinement continues to be a topic that draws lively debate. Our recent paper “Calling a trade-off a trade-off in arguments for cat confinement” aimed to challenge the narrative that confinement is categorically good for cat welfare and is therefore a “win-win” for cats and wildlife conservation (Glanville et al. 2025). Moreover, we questioned the efficacy of the “win-win” public communication strategy, when the welfare risks to cats are not addressed and owners are not appropriately prepared for the implications of confinement. Our paper has since been critiqued by Legge et al. (2026) based on misunderstanding or mischaracterisation of our original arguments. Therefore, we take this opportunity to correct these, to further demonstrate the welfare challenges faced by confined cats, and to underline how our arguments are intended to align with conservation goals.

Inappropriate hoof care compromises equine health, yet farriery remains unregulated in Northern Ireland. This study examined stakeholder perspectives on farrier regulation and identified barriers to compliance with farriery regulation in Northern Ireland using the COM-B (Capability-Opportunity-Motivation = Behaviour) framework of human behaviour change. A two-stage mixed-methods design was employed. Stage 1 comprised a cross-sectional survey of equine stakeholders (horse owners and equine industry professionals) assessing service access, professional standards and expectations of farrier practice (n = 209). Stage 2 involved two focus groups (farriers; n = 7, veterinarians; n = 5) exploring barriers and facilitators to compliance with regulation of farriery in Northern Ireland. Survey findings indicated strong support for regulation among horse owners and equine industry professionals, particularly where welfare concerns had been experienced. In contrast, perspectives expressed within the dedicated farrier focus group highlighted concerns regarding the potential consequences of regulation. Key barriers to effective farriery provision included workforce shortages (Physical Opportunity), inconsistent training (Psychological Capability) and limited collaboration between farriers and veterinarians (Social Opportunity). Education, structured training pathways, and mechanisms to verify qualifications were identified as key facilitators of improved practice. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening training systems, supporting workforce capacity, and improving veterinary-farrier collaboration to promote consistent standards of care and safeguard equine welfare in Northern Ireland.

Caregiving behaviour is critical in companion animal welfare. Using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model of human behaviour change (HBC), this study investigated the influence of Capability, Opportunity and Motivation on dog owners’ engagement in welfare-enhancing practices. In an online survey, a self-selected sample of 240 Singaporean dog owners rated their engagement in 20 caregiving practices, and responded to 31 statements on their Capability, Opportunity and Motivation in dog care, using a five-point Likert scale. Responses on practices were aggregated into relative Welfare Scores for each respondent, with higher scores indicating greater engagement. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to derive first principal components’ (PC1) scores representing respondent’s Capability, Opportunity and Motivation. To investigate the relationship between engagement in caregiving practices and their behavioural determinants, a Generalised Linear Model was performed with Welfare Score as the response variable and PC1 scores for Capability, Opportunity and Motivation as predictor variables. All three COM-B components emerged as significant positive predictors of Welfare Score, with Opportunity showing the largest effect size, followed by Capability and Motivation. Descriptive analyses indicated moderate engagement in caregiving practices, alongside high Capability, fair Opportunity and strong Motivation among respondents. As the first study to apply HBC to dog welfare in Singapore, this research highlights the collective importance of Capability, Opportunity and Motivation in shaping caregiving and suggests that Behaviour Change Wheel-informed interventions and policies should target all three components, in particular Opportunity, to effectively promote dog welfare.

Animals used in scientific research may survive beyond procedures or be surplus to breeding programmes, raising questions about post-study outcomes. Rehoming, defined as the transfer of animals bred for or used in research into a living situation outside experimental use, can be an alternative post-research outcome where animals would otherwise be killed. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature on policies, guidelines, and recommendations for rehoming animals used in research settings. The review was conducted in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance and reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We searched four databases and included fifteen papers. Across the reviewed literature, rehoming is predominantly positioned as a legally permissive and conditional post-research option rather than a mandatory requirement. We identified three governance levels: regulatory frameworks set conditions; professional and practitioner associations translate these into guidance; and individual institutions implement local policies and programmes. Two main rehoming models were described: adoption-based and retirement-based, each with distinct responsibilities and resource demands. Barriers included limited time, funding, infrastructure, liability, and difficulties identifying suitable adopters, while facilitators included dedicated staff roles, institutional experience, external partnerships, and budgeting rehoming costs within research grants. Species-specific restrictions were also reported, including legal and biosecurity rules that affect rehoming eligibility. Ethical justification was based on the concepts of animal welfare, alongside responsibility and justice. In conclusion, rehoming is generally optional and varies with local capacity and infrastructure, with some papers noting limits on post-transfer follow-up and eligibility exclusions. This may affect animal welfare by making post-research outcomes less consistent and by limiting support after transfer.

Zoo animal welfare research is a rapidly developing field; however, there is considerable variation in how animal welfare is defined, both across disciplines and authors. This complexity is further complicated by the increasing use of related terms, such as well-being, happiness, and wellness, often with little consensus on their distinct meanings. This paper examines how the terms welfare and well-being are used in zoo-based animal research, exploring whether they are treated as interchangeable or fundamentally different terms. While some authors make a deliberate distinction between the two, a substantial overlap in definitions is evident across the literature, so much so that the distinction often lacks a logical or functional basis. To promote conceptual clarity and prevent further fragmentation of the research field, it is recommended that a single term be used consistently. Specifically, the term welfare is recommended, due to its established grounding in science. Furthermore, rather than reducing welfare to a singular definition, it is advised that researchers should focus on understanding and evaluating its key components, allowing for nuanced and evidence-based assessments of the lived experiences of animals housed under human care in zoos.

Environmental enrichment can have complex, contradictory effects on aggression and animal welfare. Although increasing enrichment may reduce aggression by limiting the visibility of competitors, it may also intensify territorial defence and harm the welfare of subordinates who are the target of territorial aggression. However, it remains unclear how variation in the complexity of an enrichment structure defended by a single dominant individual influences welfare outcomes for subordinates. In the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni, dominant males defend structures as mating territories, whereas subordinate males do not. To establish social hierarchies, we housed two differently sized males (larger become dominant) and six females in one compartment containing one defendable structure. We manipulated structure complexity by placing 1, 2, or 3 halves of terracotta pots clumped together. Increasing cave number did not enhance territoriality: dominant males showed similar aggression rates, relative gonad sizes, and testosterone levels across treatments. Cave number did not significantly affect mortality, body condition, growth rate, or fin damage in subordinate males. Status-specific behaviours were also not affected by cave number. Although relative gonad size and testosterone levels were generally higher in dominants, these differences were not always significant in the 2- and/or 3-cave treatments, suggesting weaker physiological differentiation between social states. Overall, increasing environmental enrichment had little effect on welfare, but might result in reduced physiological distinctions between dominant and subordinate males. Therefore, careful consideration of enrichment strategies is essential for accurately interpreting status-specific outcomes in laboratory settings.

Sentience in decapod Crustaceans has emerged as a major topic within animal welfare, partly due to a lack of legislation that protects their well-being, particularly at the moment of killing. Electrical stunning has been proven to prevent, or minimise, pain and distress prior to dispatch. Investigating its effects on behaviour, physiology, and meat quality is essential for informing future legislation. This study tested the impact of CrustastunTM electrical stunning on the American lobster (Homarus americanus) in order to: (i) determine the effect of two stunning durations (5 vs 10 s) on the recovery and behaviour; (ii) assess physiological alterations caused by stunning and during recovery; and (iii) evaluate impacts on meat quality. Lobsters showed longer righting times with 10 s stunning compared to 5 s, along with increased activity during recovery. Electrical stunning caused sustained disturbances in haemolymph glucose and lactate levels. Overall meat quality was unaffected, except texture, which was improved in stunned animals. Based on the recovery, this study demonstrated the reversibility of CrustastunTM, distinguishing it from a terminal dispatch method. Stress induced by electrical stunning was evidenced by the elevated haemolymph lactate levels, highlighting this measure as an indicator of secondary stress responses. The reversibility implies that animals should be slaughtered before any signs of recovery which, based on the righting response, should be no later than 10 min after short and 40 min after long cycles. However, the duration of unconsciousness should be confirmed using other indicators of consciousness, ideally based on neural activity.

Despite scientific and ethical concerns, beak trimming (beak treatment, or beak tipping) remains a routine procedure in the poultry sector. The perceived efficacy to reduce pecking-related injuries and mortality is the main reason for the common application of beak trimming. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the effects of beak trimming on the welfare of several commercially kept poultry species (chickens [Gallus domesticus], turkeys [Meleagris gallopavo domesticus], ducks [Cairina moschata; Anas platyrhynchos], quail [Coturnix coturnix], Guinea fowl [Numida meleagris] and pheasants [Phasanius cholchicus]). Following strict a priori in- and exclusion criteria, a total of 1,242 records were screened for eligibility, resulting in 175 studies included for data extraction. Risk of Bias was assessed based on the reporting of key quality indicators. Due to high heterogeneity of the 175 studies, a subset of 120 studies was analysed based on welfare-related outcomes in the domains of behaviour, morphology, physiology, and mortality and presented in effect-direction plots, showing beneficial, harmful or absent effects of beak trimming. Twenty-four studies investigated beak abnormalities, with 71% of those reporting morphological abnormalities and 25% altered sensory abilities. Of 49 studies, mortality decreased in trimmed birds in 51% and increased in 8%, while 41% reported no measurable impact. Physiological indicators of stress did not show clear patterns, but the procedure caused alterations in behaviour, such as a decrease in environmental pecking. The effects on preening and injurious pecking remain ambiguous. These results corroborate the inconsistent potential benefits of beak trimming and highlight the need for investigating underlying causes of severe feather pecking and refinement of techniques, not only in chickens.

Animal welfare is closely linked to human health and the environment. Over the last decade, One Welfare (OW) has emerged to address these connections. However, the academic research on OW, which integrates human well-being, animal welfare, and the environment, is still in its early stages, with limited insights into how it is perceived by supply chain actors. This study aims to explore how European citizens and other actors perceive the OW construct, particularly in relation to improved farm animal welfare. The data were collected in 2021 in two surveys conducted in nine European countries (Finland, the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Denmark) targeted at citizens (n = 3,601) and other supply chain actors (n = 222). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were employed to analyse the perceptions among the countries. The results show that supply chain actors have a more multidimensional understanding of OW and farm animal welfare than citizens. Citizens viewed OW as a two-dimensional construct related to human well-being, farming success and food security, while supply chain actors perceived it as three-dimensional, also including issues related to environmental sustainability. Statistically significant differences were found across certain countries. For example, Italian citizens associated OW primarily with human well-being, while Romanian citizens linked it to farming success. However, both Italian and Romanian supply chain actors perceived food safety and environmental sustainability as most associated with OW. Understanding these perceptions is essential for developing policies that support public health, sustainability, and ethical practices across Europe.