Animal Welfare Foundation UK

🚨Free AWF online student talk on animal boredom!

Join biologist and AWF Trustee Charlotte Burn tomorrow, Friday 19th April at 12pm for a free online student talk on boredom, a pressing animal welfare issue for captive animals. This talk promises to be an insightful, exciting session - you won't be bored!

Register your participation to join the talk and the chance to win a Discussion Forum ticket 👉0d777d8d-7b34-4b55-987c-d3c0deeff07c@0c22ea11-4c08-40c7-a6c8-b75dcf1b0afb" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d777d8d-7b34-4b55-987c-d3c0deeff07c@0c22ea11-4c08-40c7-a6c8-b75dcf1b0afb

🚨 Giveaway alert! Win a free ticket to our Discussion Forum!

Our Discussion Forum sponsors Pets UK are generously giving away one free ticket (worth £135) to attend our highly anticipated Discussion Forum on 13th May in London. To enter, simply subscribe to AWF’s newsletter here by Friday 26th April: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/newsletter/

The winner will be selected at random from our new newsletter subscribers and will be contacted on Monday 29th April.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now, for a chance to attend the Discussion Forum and become part of a passionate community, empowered by science, that wants to make a difference to .

Don’t hesitate to also share this with friends who might be interested.

Thank you for your support and to our sponsors https://www.facebook.com/petsathomeUK

👀 View T&Cs here:https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TermsConditions_DF-giveaway.pdf

💬 The 2023 Discussion Forum is in two weeks and we really look forward to welcoming you in the beautiful One Birdcage Walk, London.

The agenda for the day is packed with insightful sessions, lightning talks, research updates and a very special 40-year retrospective to celebrate our anniversary. The day will be followed by an evening reception with special guest Giles Yeo MBE, Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge who will be sharing insights into his work focusing on the role of genetics in obesity.

The reception is a great opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and to raise your glass to 40 years of AWF and cheer in the next 40!

Everything else to expect at this year’s Discussion Forum 👇
https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/

📣 AWF Discussion Forum: advancing knowledge on animal welfare through conscientious debate since 1983!

We can’t wait to welcome you at the 2023 Discussion Forum for a day dedicated to discussing the most pressing animal welfare issues we’re facing today. The agenda is packed with insightful sessions, new talk formats, research updates and a very special 40-year retrospective to celebrate AWF’s anniversary.

What to expect this year 👉 https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/

The AWF Discussion Forum is in a month 🎉

Come and join us for a day dedicated to discussing some of the biggest issues in the UK, from sustainability to technology and human behaviour change.

Wherever you are in your veterinary journey, or whether you simply are passionate about animal welfare, gain valuable insights and feel empowered to tackle the welfare challenges facing us today.

Find out more about what to expect at this year's Forum:https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/

And it’s a wrap!

In April, we’ve celebrated by sharing pictures of AWF’s staff and Trustees beloved pets, including some facts and welfare advice. We covered a few species, from dogs and cats to hens and gerbils!

Thank you to everyone at AWF who participated and shared their advice, facts and cute pet pictures! Below are the key facts and takeaways from our campaign, celebrating responsible pet ownership that protects and preserves animal welfare:

🐶Dogs
- Irish Terriers are the most decorated wartime dog; they were great company to soldiers in the trenches and would run messages from trench to trench on the Western Front.

- Dogs roll in fox poo to mask their own scent and protect themselves from being detected by other animals that may want to eat them.

- Looking after your dog’s teeth is very important to avoid potentially painful dental problems later in life. It’s easy to brush their teeth and only takes a couple of minutes each day. Speak to your vet about the best way to get you started brushing your pet’s teeth!

- Overweight dogs are at real risk of various diseases including arthritis, heart disease and cancer as well as having a shorter lifespan with a potentially poorer quality of life. Helping your pet lose weight has a host of health and welfare benefits and they will be happier for it; committing to a balanced diet and exercise—with the help of your vet—is an important part of maintaining your dog’s health and is well worth the effort.

- Physical and mental stimulations are both very important for a dog health, wellbeing and welfare; you need to provide your dog with the physical exercises relevant to their age and breed, as well as engaging your dog in mental enrichment activities to help develop their brain and strengthen the bond with you. Mental stimulation can also help boost a dog’s confidence.

🐱 Cats
- Cats prefer to have their food and water separate and away from their litter tray. Type of water bowl is important too; different cats will prefer different bowls so try a few different ones around the house and let your cat tell you what they prefer. Most cats prefer glass, metal and ceramic over plastic. Another tip is to try and move your cat’s food and water bowls away from the wall a little, cats are not the bravest so eating and drinking facing out into the room tends to be preferred.

- Cats love cat naps – they can sleep for 12-18 hours a day. Sleep allows them to restore their energy resources so they’re ready to go hunting.

🐭🐔Others
- Hens are very funny and clever, and each have her own character and endearing quirk. They love to dustbathe, as the fine layer of dust protects their skin from parasites and from the sun.

- Gerbils can be offered a small amount of healthy treats like h**p seeds. Healthy treats can both help to tame gerbils and give them daily mental stimulation to supplement the nuggets that provide their main nutritional needs.

- Gerbils love running, and a large wheel helps them run in a natural posture without bending their spines backwards to fit a tighter curve. They need plenty else to do as well as running, including some dried food to forage for, having deep bedding that can hold the tunnels they dig, and lots of cardboard and non-toxic wood to chew.

- Gerbils love to help with cardboard reuse in the home. Chewing is an important behaviour for gerbils, but plastic, rubber and fabric toys are not suitable, because when gerbils chew them, they may swallow harmful pieces or become entangled in loose threads. Instead, clean cardboard and non-toxic wood, that is free of things like glue and Sellotape, makes an excellent boredom buster.

For this final post, we met with Rupert, AWF Trustee Deidre Carson's beloved Labrador.

Deidre says: "This is my dear Rupert at the ripe old age of 13 and a half. I had bred him and then kept him because he was a shy, nervous puppy. He grew into a steady and reliable companion, coming to work with me, taking the train, tube and buses with my daughter when in London, being led through Camden off a bike and accompanying us on rides through the forest and on Newmarket heath. He loved the Norfolk coast. He knew he wasn’t allowed upstairs ……. although, if my daughter was home, the pair of them would wait until I had gone to bed and Rupert would happily, and without any apparent sense of guilt, come upstairs with her and sleep on her bed. As soon as I stirred in the morning, he would leap off the bed and try to beat me downstairs! One special, if indulged, Labrador!" ♥

🐭Gerbils love to help with cardboard reuse in the home. Hazel and her daughters, Berry, Cocoa and Queenie are making quick work of this egg box! Chewing is an important behaviour for gerbils, but plastic, rubber and fabric toys are not suitable, because when gerbils chew them, they may swallow harmful pieces or become entangled in loose threads. Instead, clean cardboard and non-toxic wood, that is free of things like glue and sellotape, makes an excellent boredom buster.

💬Discussion Forum 2023 - Meet the speakers

After an insightful morning exploring the topics of human behaviour change and technology in relation to animal welfare, we will start the afternoon with the session on environmental sustainability, diet and welfare where experts Hillary Pearce (Hill's Pet Nutrition), Rob Percival (Soil Association), Dave Ross (AgriEPI) and Sarah Ison (Compassion in World Farming) will discuss human and animal diets and their implications for animal welfare in relation to sustainable food production.

Meet Rob Percival, Head of Food Policy at Soil Association and author of the "Meat Paradox" here: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/news/discussion-forum-2023-meet-the-speakers-rob-percival/

"Most of the meat in the average UK diet is provided by intensive pig and poultry systems which are typically environmentally damaging and characterised by routine welfare failings. Livestock have an important role to play in a sustainable farming system and can form part of a healthy diet, but significant change in the way that we farm and eat is urgently needed."

💬 2023 Discussion Forum - Meet the speakers

After an insightful morning exploring the topics of human behaviour change and technology in relation to animal welfare, we will start the afternoon with the session on environmental sustainability, diet and welfare where experts Hillary Pearce (Hill's Pet Nutrition), Rob Percival (Soil Association), Dave Ross (AgriEPI) and Sarah Ison (Compassion in World Farming) will discuss human and animal diets and their implications for animal welfare in relation to sustainable food production.

Meet Hillary Pearce, one of the speakers for this session: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/news/discussion-forum-2023-meet-the-speakers-hillary-pearce/

"Sustainability and animal welfare in pet food manufacturing are complex, multifaceted issues and that some current trends in companion animal feeding are in opposition to true sustainability and One Welfare gains."

💬 2023 Discussion Forum - Focus on technology

After learning about behaviour change and how to apply it to your role as vet and vet burse for maximum impact on animal welfare, we will dive into the world of technology, where expert speakers Piers Hampson (MSD Animal Health), Kevin Corley (Equitrace), Nicola Blackie (RVC) and Jonathan Statham (Bishopton Veterinary Group RAFT Solutions LTD) will explore the interplay between technology and animals, looking at the benefits and risks of new and innovative technology to animal welfare.

You can meet the speakers here: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/discussion-forum-speakers/

We've also asked Matt Dobbs, the session's coordinator to tell us more about the topic and what to expect from the session: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/news/discussion-forum-2023-session-focus-technology-is-challenging-the-paradigm-of-animal-welfare/

💬 2023 Discussion Forum - Meet the speakers

We will kick off this year’s Discussion Forum with the session on human behaviour change, led by animal welfare and human behaviour change experts Suzanne Rogers and Jo White.

“The talk will provide lots of top tips for people working with animal caregivers that can be put into practice right away. There is a saying “Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I truly understand”, which perfectly illustrates a key human behaviour change principle. If we understand that people learn best if they are not just told what to do but are truly involved, the message has more chance of ‘sticking’. If every time we find ourselves telling people what to do, we consider how we could involve them, we can get into the habit of providing recommendations in a more impactful way.”

Meet speakers Suzanne and Jo and learn more about what to expect from the session: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/news/discussion-forum-2023-meet-the-speakers-suzanne-rogers-jo-white/

Work hard, nap hard. Cats love cat naps – they can sleep for 12-18 hours a day - but they don’t always choose the most practical or comfortable space for it, as demonstrated by Molly. Sleep allows them to restore their energy resources so they’re ready to go exploring and hunting.

🐶This is Miko, a Japanese Spitz, who recently turned 9! Owner Shotton , AWF Trustee, says: "having had dogs during my childhood with severe dental disease, we were committed to improve things with Miko. My dad taught him to enjoy tooth-brushing from a young age, and it is now part of his daily routine. My dad brushes Miko’s teeth with a pet toothpaste every day before bed, and not only does he enjoy this part of his day, but also it has resulted in fantastic dental health for him throughout his life. Just like for us, tooth brushing only takes a couple of minutes a day and once built into a daily routine becomes a fun, automatic habit, rather than a chore. Speak to your vet about the best way to get you started brushing your pet’s teeth!"

🎊AWF Discussion Forum is back on 6th June

The third session of the day, entitled "Environmental Sustainability, diet and animal welfare" will focus on human and animal diets and their implications for animal welfare in relation to sustainable food production. More information about this session 👉https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/environmental-sustainability-diet-and-animal-welfare-session/

✨AWF Discussion Forum is back on 6th June!

The second session of the day, entitled "Technology is challenging the paradigm of animal welfare" will explore the interplay between technology and animals, looking at the benefits and risks of new and innovative technology to animal welfare. More information about this session 👉 https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/technology-is-challenging-the-paradigm-of-animal-welfare-session/

These three musketeers are Joanie, Peggy and Trudy (did you get the TV show reference?); they are hybrid hens, bred for maximum egg productivity. Unfortunately, after about 18 months, they’re deemed no longer commercially viable and are sent to slaughter. That's when the British Hen Welfare Trust intervenes and collects some of them to be put up for adoption by individuals who can and want to care for them as pets. These hybrid hens are gentle, inquisitive and friendly, eating out of your hand and following you around the garden and even into the house if you let them! They also love to dustbathe, as the fine layer of dust helps control parasites and prevent their feathers from becoming oily: https://www.bhwt.org.uk/blog/health-welfare/chicken-dust-bath/

🎉AWF Discussion Forum is back on 6th June!

The first session of the day will cover the science of human behaviour change and how you can apply it to your role as vet and vet nurse to prevent welfare issues.

For more information about the session and to meet the speakers, Suzanne Rogers and Jo White, head to 👉animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/discussion-forum-2023/animal-welfare-the-human-element-session/

Gerbils love running, and a large wheel like this one, being enjoyed by Hazel and Berry, helps them run in a natural posture without bending their spines backwards to fit a tighter curve. They need plenty else to do as well as running though, including some dried food to forage for (as Queenie is showing), having deep bedding that can hold the tunnels they dig, and lots of cardboard and non-toxic wood to chew.

🐰We're all ears for this research!

Last month, we announced the funding of four animal welfare projects covering a variety of species and topics under our three-year theme “Breeding for better welfare”. One of those projects, entitled “Investigation of whether lop-eared conformations predispose rabbits to ear and dental disease: a pedigree population study”, is being investigated by Dr Charlotte Burn, Associate Professor in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science at the Royal Veterinary College, who is also an AWF Trustee.

Ear and dental conditions can cause a lot of pain and anxiety in rabbits, and when these health conditions are caused by the shape of the animal’s body, they can lead to life-long suffering. This project will help understand whether we should try to breed lop eared rabbits that don’t suffer from these conditions and, if so, how.

Charlotte’s research is due to start in June. In the meantime, you can read about her project by visiting our website: animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/grant/investigation-of-whether-lop-eared-conformations-predispose-rabbits-to-ear-and-dental-disease-a-pedigree-population-study/ Alternatively, give us a follow on Linkedin where Charlotte is featured in this month's "Meet the Researcher" series: linkedin.com/company/bva-animal-welfare-foundation/

Hello from Sidney and Percy, our Chair of Trustees Julian Kupfer's whippets. They are family related whippets; Sidney is Percy's uncle! They are very active dogs who exercise a lot - despite this Sidney, who is the fastest, can tend to get a bit overweight. So as uncomfortable as it is, we have to restrict his food intake to keep him slim! Overweight dogs are at real risk of various diseases including arthritis, heart disease and cancer as well as having a shorter lifespan with a potentially poorer quality of life. So helping your pet lose weight has a host of health and welfare benefits and they will be happier for it.

Although white cats can be more prone to being deaf than other cats (https://icatcare.org/advice/inherited-deafness-in-white-cats/), there are no signs that Blanche - meaning white in French - is deaf; she just chooses to ignore her owners from time to time! She is a quite reserved, quiet cat who loves nothing more than sleeping. And as you can see, she can get comfortable anywhere!

💬 The Discussion Forum programme has landed!

Join us for a day of thought-provoking conversations on a variety of topics from environmental sustainability to human behaviour change to technology. Expect high level debates, impactful conversations, and interactive sessions as well as practical tips and tailored advice to make a difference to animal welfare today and every day.

Whether you're a vet, vet nurse, animal welfare professional or simply passionate about the topic, this event is a fantastic opportunity to come together and share your thoughts and knowledge on cross species animal welfare issues.

Download the programme here�https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Discussion-Forum-2023-programme-March-23.pdf

🐹It’s ! Did you know that the word ‘hamster’ comes from the German word ‘hamstern’, which means ‘to hoard’? The Syrian hamster, for example, can hoard in its cheek pouches up to half its body weight in food!

Despite the negative connotation associated with the “hamster on a wheel” saying, hamsters are active animals who require regular exercise to maintain their physical health. Running on a wheel helps them achieve just that, which is an important part of safeguarding their welfare and wellbeing!

Remember, responsible pet ownership includes meeting the physical, mental, and social needs of your hamster. Provide them with a safe and comfortable environment, a balanced diet, mental and physical stimulations and seek veterinary care when needed. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your hamster lives a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.

You can find more information, help and guidance on caring for your hamster on the RSPCA website: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters

Best friends Nellie and Spotty are Richard’s German Short-haired pointers. They love to have at least a 2-hour run every day, preferably in woods although a trip to a dog friendly beach on special occasions is always welcome! Without that amount of exercise, they would get frustrated. Mental stimulation is also very important; distant commands is their favourite! They take a lot of time up but we adjust what we do so they are physically and mentally satisfied - it’s vital to understand what your pets need from you in order for them to be happy and healthy. Can you really give them the time, exercise, mental and physical inputs to help achieve that?

🐶🦷 This is Teasel, AWF Trustee Nicola Gladden's dog who loves nothing more than jumping in water... but hates being rained on! Other than that, Teasel’s been having her teeth cleaned since a puppy and likes it nearly as much as jumping in puddles because the doggy toothpaste tastes like a yummy chicken treat. Looking after your dog’s teeth is very important to avoid potentially painful dental problems later in life. It’s easy, takes just a couple of minutes each day and future you will be glad you did it!

Today, it's AWF Trustee Karlien Hayrman, Head of Pets at at Home and her cat Wolfie to be in the spotlight!

🐱 "Did you know that you might not be feeding your cat in the way they like? Cats prefer to have their food and water separate and away from their litter tray. The type of water bowl is important too (glass, metal, ceramic...) so you could try a few different ones around the house and let your cat tell you what they prefer. My cat Wolfie prefers his water bowl filled to the brim and he also likes flowing water, so we have a pet water fountain downstairs! Another tip is to try and move your cat’s food and water bowls away from the wall a little, cats are not the bravest so eating and drinking facing out into the room tends to be preferred."