Animals and Society

Animals

· Are living, multicellular organisms with specialized senses, organs and nervous systems allowing them to respond rapidly to rapidly to stimuli

· Can be classified as the following:

- domestic

- semi-domesticated

- non-domestic

History of Animals (Part 1)

· Includes:

- Dogs - first to be domesticated 15,000 years ago in Asia

· descended from wolves

· raised from pups to be obedient to humans

· utilized for hunting

- sheep - domesticated 11,000 years ago in the Middle East

· raised for meat, milk and wool production

- Goats - domesticated 10,000 years ago in Middle East

· raised for meat, milk and pelt (i.e., animal skin) production

History of Animals (Part 2)

· Includes:

- cats- domesticated 9,500 years ago in the Middle East

· descended from five different types of wildcat

· raised to control mice and rat infestations

- Pigs - domesticated 8,000 years ago in the Middle East and China

· raised for food production

- Cattle - domesticated 8,000 years ago in the Middle East

· raised for food and milk production, as well as draft work

History of Animals (Part 3)

· Includes:

- Horses - domesticated 6,000 years ago in Central Asia

· raised initially for food and milk production

· raised for riding and draft work about 1,000 years later

- Pet Keeping- became popular in medieval Europe during the 13th century among the rich

- Columbus bringing livestock to the West Indies in 1493

- Cortez bringing cattle and sheep to Mexico in 1519

History of Animals (Part 4)

· Includes:

- First veterinary school founded by Claude Bourgelat in Lyon, France in 1761

- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) established in the United States

Domestic Animals

· Depend on humans for food, water and shelter

· Are tamed and kept by humans for the following:

- work

- food

- clothing and shelter

- Companionship

Working Animals

· Are kept by humans and trained to perform tasks

· Examples include:

- guide dogs

- draft horses

- herding dogs/horses

Food Production Animals (Part 1)

· Are often referred to as livestock animals

· Are raised and cared for by humans to produce food for human consumption , such as:

- meat

- eggs

- milk/dairy products

Fun Fact: Large animal veterinarians not only manage the health of livestock species, but also are entrusted to maintain the safety and security of the nation’s food supply as these animals are largely produced for food.

Food Production Animals (Part 2)

· Examples include:

- cattle (beef or dairy)

- swine

- poultry

- Sheep

- goats

Fun fact: Some livestock animals, such as sheep, are raised solely fiber and textile production.

Companion Animals

· Are also referred to as Pets

· Are domesticated animals whose physical, emotional, behavioral and social needs can be met with a relationship with humans

· Rely on humans

· Examples include:

- cats

- dogs

- birds

- guinea pigs

Fun Fact: Small animal veterinarians treat and care for a variety of companion animal species. Small animal veterinarians must be mindful of the human-animal bond clients share with their pets.

Semi-Domestic Animals

· Breed on their own but have undergone physiological or behavioral changes due to captivity

· Are commonly found in Zoos

· Examples include:

- bison

- wild boar

- red deer

- Asian elephant

Non-domestic Animals

· Are also referred to as Wild Animals

· Live independently of humans

· Include:

- endangered species

Endangered Animals

· Are faced with the threat of extinction

· Become endangered due to excessive hunting as well as environmental or biological changes

· Examples include:

- chimpanzee

- blue whale

- snow leopard

Fun fact: Currently, 16,306 species are endangered

Animals

· Are also used for research in scientific experiments

· Who are used for research include many different species , such as:

- mice

- dogs

- cats

- rabbits

Animal Trends & Issues

· Include:

- animal cruelty

- elective surgical procedures

- abandoned and feral cats

- companion animal care and protection

- pet owner knowledge

- pet spending

Animal Cruelty

· Is defined as either deliberate abuse or failure to take care of an animal

· Issues include:

- Reporting animal abuse

- discouraging animal cruelty and domestic violence

Reporting Animal Abuse

· Issues currently includes:

- requiring licensed veterinarians, in 11 states, to report certain suspected animal cruelty violations

- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Veterinary Practice Act encourages veterinarians to report animal abuse

Animal Cruelty & Domestic Violence

· Issues include:

- protecting animals in households affected by domestic violence

· 26 states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws allowing for pet protection orders

Elective Surgical Procedures (Part 1)

· Include:

- debarking (devocalization)

· AVMA believes this should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final option

- declawing

· AVMA believes this should only be performed to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or if there is a zoonotic risk

Elective Surgical Procedures (Part 2)

· Include:

- tail docking, ear cropping

· AVMA believes, for cosmetic reasons, it does not benefit the animal

· AVMA opposes routine tail docking of cattle; it does not provide benefits to the animal

Abandoned & Feral Cat

· Issues include:

- AVMA supporting actions to reduce the problem of free-roaming, abandoned and feral cats

· there are millions of feral cats in the U.S.

· most will suffer from disease, starvation or trauma

· poses a risk for zoonotic diseases

Fun Fact: Feral cats are not socialized with people and do not live indoors. Outdoor cats have existed for over 10,000 years!

Companion Animal Care & Protection

· Issues include:

- state regulations for dog breeders and dealers

- Companion Animal Care Guidelines

- Pet Purchase Protection Laws

State Regulations For Dog Breeders & Dealers

· Has become an increasingly popular issue

- majority of states provide some regulation of breeders, kennels, pet dealers and pet shops

- AVMA adopted “Model Bill and Regulations to Assure Appropriate Care for Dogs Intended for use as Pets” in April 2010

Companion Animal Care Guidelines

· Were created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to ensure the proper care and humane treatment of animals in:

- humane societies

- animal control

- pet stores

- boarding kennels

- dog training establishments

- grooming facilities

- Dealers

- veterinary hospitals and clinics

Pet Purchase Protection Laws

· Also referred to as “Lemon Laws”

· Provide legal recourse to people who purchase animals from pet dealers, which are later found to have a disease or defect

· Include:

- replacement of animal

- refund of the purchase price

- reimbursement of veterinary expenses

Pet Owners

· Are becoming increasingly more knowledgeable and influential regarding pet care

· Utilize convenient sources, such as online resources and pet store associates, for pet care advice and consultation

Fun Fact: In order to compete in this trending environment, veterinarians must engage pet owners through social media, online stores and educational websites

Pet Spending

· Is at an all-time high

· In 2020, was 103.6 billion dollars

A table showing the breakdown of pet-related expenses and their total amounts in billions of dollars. The categories and amounts are:

Food: $42 billion

Supplies/Medicine: $22.1 billion

Vet Care: 31.4 billion

Pet Services (Grooming, Boarding): $8.1 billion

Fun fact: While overall pet spending is on the rise, spending on veterinary care is stagnant

Pet Spending Trends

· Include:

- organic and natural premium pet food

- Clothes and Costumes

- pet medical insurance

- travel-related pet services

- nutritionists

Fun fact: Nearly half a billion dollars was spent on pet costumes in 2020

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare

Animal Rights

· Is a philosophical view in which animals have similar rights to humans

· Are also known as animal liberation

· Proponents believe no animal should be used for industry, entertainment, sport or recreation

Animal Rights Activists

· Are completely against:

- rodeos

- horse racing

-Circuses 

- Showing Livestock

- life-saving medical research animals

- raising livestock for food

- petting zoos

- breeding purebred pets

- any other uses of animals

· Often misinform the public, use violence and stunts in order to receive donations for their organizations to help animals

Animal Rights Founders (Part 1)

s· Include:

- Henry Bergh

· American Society for the Prevention of of Cruelty to Animals

· Ingrid Newkirk = People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

- Mike Burgwin – initial chairman

· National Animal Control Association

Animal Rights Founders (Part 2)

· Include:

- Fred Myers

· one of four people who formed the Humane Society of the United States

- Peter Singer

· philosopher and activist focused on animal suffering and consequences

- Mark Twain

· protested animal cruelty and research in “A Dog's Tale”

Animal Rights Groups

· Include:

- People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

- Mercy for Animals

- Humane Society of the United States

- Several state and local groups

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

· Was founded in 1980

· Is the Largest animal rights organization in the world

· Focuses on factory farms, clothing trade, laboratories and the entertainment industry

· Believes animals are not meant to be:

- eaten

- worn

- experimented on

- used for entertainment

- abused

- exploited

Mercy For Animals

· Was founded in 1999

· Is dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals

· Focuses on factory farms

· Promotes vegetarianism

The Humane Society of the United States

· Was founded in 1954

· Is the largest animal protection organization in the nation, committed to protecting animals through litigation, legislation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work

· Is comprised of more than seven million members and constituents

Humane Societies

· Are organizations devoted to promoting humane ideas and treatment of animals

· Act independently from each other as there is no centrally organized branch outside the state level

· Include:

- grassroots humane groups

- non-sheltering humane organizations

Grassroots Humane Groups

· Are primarily run by Volunteers

· Are involved in community outreach and child education programs as well as providing information on animals to the public

· May offer a network of foster homes for abandoned animals, some focusing on a shelter or region

Non-Sheltering Humane Organizations

· Do not run animal housing facilities

· Are more involved in educating people about animals, foster care, spay/neuter services and animal placement

· May be informal grassroots groups or large non-profit organizations

Animal Welfare

· Is a human responsibility which encompasses all aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling and, when necessary, humane euthanasia

Animal Welfare Advocates (Part 1)

· Believe the following:

- animals should not experience pain and suffering

- animals should have basic needs (e.g., food, shelter and health)

- animals should not be used for human satisfaction (e.g., food, clothing, medical research, etc.)

Animal Welfare Advocates (Part 2)

· Support regulations of animal sports, such as:

- rodeo

- horse racing

- Showing Livestock

- polo

- endurance

· Use scientific evidence to provide standards for basic animal care and handling Guidelines

Animal Welfare Groups

· Include:

- National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA)

- Animal Welfare Council

- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA)

· Was founded in 1991

· Promotes welfare of animals

· Strengthens human and animal relationships

· Protects the rights of responsible animal owners, enthusiasts and professionals

Animal Welfare Council

· Was founded in 1979

· Supports animals in:

- recreation

- industry

- sports

- entertainment

· Promotes responsible and humane treatment of animals

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

· Was founded in 1866

· Often works with city animal control agencies to remove stray animals

· Regularly rescues animals from abuse and neglect

· Frequently aids shelters across the nation with resources to improve care and treatment of animals

Animal Protection

· Includes protecting animals in the following ways:

- in the courtroom

- through education

- through investigation

- through field work

- with law enforcement

Protecting Animals in the Courtroom (Part 1)

· Incorporates both:

- litigation

· legal proceeding in court to determine and enforce legal rights

- legislation

· act of making or enacting laws

Protecting Animals in the Courtroom (Part 2)

· Secures and enumerates the rights of animals through many HSUS led or supported legal cases, such as:

- ending horse slaughter for human consumption

- conserving endangered species

- providing proper care and treatment for research animals

- prohibiting animal fighting

Protecting Animals Through Education

· Involves publishing books and pamphlets on many subjects, including the following:

- recommended shelter adoption standards

- suggested treatment of animals in research laboratories

- use of animals in high school science classes and fairs

- alternatives to animals in research

Education Information

· Is available through each city’s animal control center

· Is often given to community groups, schools and other agencies concerning bite and attack prevention training, the importance of spay/neuter programs and registration of animals

Protecting Animals Through Investigation

· Involves the HSUS sending members into laboratories, zoos, shelters and other institutions housing animals to ensure all standards are met and laws enforced

Protecting Animals Through Field Work (Part 1)

· Inspired the HSUS to join forces with the American Red Cross to aid animals in disasters

· Led to creating Rural Area Vet Services, a program which allows animals in remote areas to receive veterinarian assistance at no cost to their owner

Protecting Animals Through Field Work (Part 2)

· Established two emergency animal shelters along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit, allowing for the rescue and shelter of an estimated 10,000 animals

· Organized a hay drop for nearly 300 starving horses trapped by heavy snows in Nevada in 1969

Protecting Animals with Law Enforcement (Part 1)

· Includes upholding local city ordinances, the most common of which include the following:

- prohibiting the running at large of animals, specifically cats and dogs

- limiting the number of animals a resident may own

- restricting the ownership of poisonous or dangerous animals such as certain snakes and spiders

- controlling animal noise such as barking dogs

Protecting Animals with Law Enforcement (Part 2)

· Includes:

- The National Animal Control Association

· assists in training and relaying information to animal control officers

· allows for a constant line of communication between members across the nation

· is not required by law, but is recommended

Animal Control

· Workers aim to serve the public in protecting the health and safety of both humans and animals

· Programs focus on public health and safety, law enforcement, protecting pets and people by providing education and prevention and communicating safe practices to the community

· Laws and policies vary in cities and states

Acts & Legislation (Part 1)

· Specifically created to protect animals include:

- 28 Hour Law

- Lacey Act

- Bald Eagle Protection Act

- Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act

- Humane Slaughter Act

- Animal Welfare Act

- Laboratory Animal Welfare Act

- Fur Seal Act

- Wild Horses & Burro Act

- Marine Mammal Protection Act

Acts & Legislation (Part 2)

· Specifically created to protect animals include:

- Endangered Species Act

- Wild Bird Conservation Act

- Elephant Conservation Act

- Chimpanzee Sanctuary Act

- Great Apes Conservation Act

- Pets Evacuation & Transportation Act

- Companion Animal Protection Act

- Public Health Service Policy

The 28 Hour Law

· Signed into law in 1873

· Addresses transporting animals across state lines, especially those raised for food production

· Requires that animals may not be transported for more than 28 consecutive hours without being unloaded for five hours, allowing for rest, water and food

· Excludes travel by air or water

The Lacey Act

· Signed into law in 1900

· Prohibits the illegal trade of any fish or wild animals which were taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any law, treaty or regulation of the United States

· Ensures the animals taken in violation of the act are confiscated

The Bald Eagle Protection Act

· Signed into law in 1940

· Prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, barter and offer to sale, purchase, barter, import or export the bald eagle

· Now includes gold eagles which were hunted and often led to the accidental killing of bald eagles

· Can be excluded by Native Americans, who may receive a permit to use bald eagles in religious ceremonies

The Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act (Part 1)

· Signed into law in 1958

· Protects fish and wildlife when federal action is taken to control or alter natural streams or bodies of water

· Provides assistance to state and federal agencies in order to protect, rear, stock and increase the supply of game and fur bearing animals

The Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act (Part 2)

· Calls for research on the effects of sewage and other pollutants on wild animals and their environment

· Requires consultation with the Bureau of Fisheries prior to building dams to ensure fish migration is not inhibited

The Humane Slaughter Act

· Signed into law in 1958

· Prevents suffering by stunning animals into unconsciousness prior to slaughter

· Ensures slaughter is done in a humane manner

· Excludes animals slaughtered in accordance with religious laws

The Animal Welfare Act

· Signed into law in 1966

· Seeks to regulate:

- who may possess or sell certain animals

- animal living conditions

· Is enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

· Violating the AWA may result in:

- criminal penalties

- civil penalties

- revocation of permits

Laboratory Animal Welfare Act

· Signed into law in 1966

· Sets minimum standards for all animals of animal dealers and laboratories

· Requires identification of animals to prevent theft

· Requires dealers must be licensed and laboratories must be registered

The Fur Seal Act (Part 1)

· Signed into law in 1966

· Prohibits taking, transporting, importing or possessing fur seals and sea otters

· Entitles the Pribilof Islands as a special reservation for the conservation, protection and management of the North Pacific fur seal and other wildlife

The Fur Seal Act (Part 2)

· Exempts Indians, Aleuts and Eskimos dwelling on the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean from this law as they use the animals for subsistence purposes

The Wild Horses & Burro Act (Part 1)

• Signed into law in 1971

· Provides protection for wild horses and burros living on land managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management

The Wild Horses & Burro Act (Part 2)

· Assigns the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to monitor the population of wild horses and burros to see if overpopulation is occurring or if aid is needed

· Amended to say that a wild horse may only be sold after it has reached 10 years of age or has been unsuccessfully offered for adoption on three occasions

The Marine Mammal Protection Act

· Signed into law in 1972

· Is a regulatory act which protects marine mammals including whales, dolphins and seals

· Prohibits the removal of marine mammals from U.S. waters or by U.S. citizens in the high seas as well as the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products

Endangered Species Act

· Signed into law in 1973

· Lists endangered species, for example:

- bald eagle

- grizzly bear

- gray whale

- whooping crane

· Offers protection for animals and their habitats to prevent extinction

· Is enforced by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

The Wild Bird Conservation Act

· Signed into law in 1992

· Responded to the population threat of non- indigenous birds

- the U.S. is the number one importer of exotic birds

· Imposed immediate moratorium on importing certain exotic birds, including most parrots, cockatoos and macaws

Elephant Conservation Acts

· Signed into law in 1997

· Reaffirm the endangered status of African and Asian elephants

· Allot money toward conservation practices

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary Act

· Signed into law in 2000

· Secures lifetime care for the retirement of chimpanzees which were used, purchased or bred for research at:

- National Institutes of Health

- Food and Drug Administration

- other U.S. Agencies

The Great Apes Conservation Act

· Signed into law in 2000

· Includes:

- chimpanzee

- gorilla

- orangutan

- Gibbon

· Provides financial assistance to countries home to great apes with conservation programs

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act

· Signed into law in 2006

· Requires states and local emergency authorities to show how they will accommodate households with pets or service animals in evacuation situations

- must be present in disaster preparedness plans to receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Companion Animal Protection Act

· Signed into law in 2011

· Is a pet protection act which keeps shelters from selling found pets to organizations for a period of five days to prevent the following:

- pets from being stolen

- animals being used for scientific testing

- animals being used for illegal activities such as fighting

The Public Health Service Policy

· Consists of nine principles established by the U.S. government, said to be the foundation of humane care and use of research animals

· Is not federal law, but organizations must comply with it in order to receive funding from its’ member agencies, which include the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention