The impact of applied ethologists and the International Society for Applied Ethology in improving animal welfare

Abstract

In the 35 years since the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) was founded, much of the scientific research done by applied ethologists has been concerned with understanding and improving animal welfare. There have been significant advances in conditions for farm and laboratory animals, but the overall rate of progress in animal welfare seems inadequate relative to the severity of suffering and huge numbers of animals affected. Advances in animal welfare are most likely to occur when benefits are also conferred upon other public concerns, when there are economic advantages associated with these changes, and when networks exist to facilitate transfer of information and to coordinate activities through commercial and legislative sectors. Animal welfare science and animal ethics have required time to develop as academic disciplines, and applied ethologists have been at the forefront of the development of animal welfare science, responding to demands for fundamental and applied research particularly into subjective experiences of animals. Animal welfare scientists, including applied ethologists, must collaborate with others involved in the decision making process to identify gaps in knowledge that impede progress in animal welfare and to develop practical applications such as welfare assessment techniques that facilitate improvements on farms and in laboratories. One goal of the ISAE is to provide expertise on animal behaviour, and individual members of the Society advise policy makers, retailers, commodity groups, and others about animal welfare issues. The ISAE has considerable opportunity to increase its influence on animal welfare issues because of its expanding and diverse membership, comprising 729 scientists from 11 geographical regions worldwide in 2003. The Society should strive to develop its own materials to raise awareness about applied ethology and animal welfare science, and make the pool of regionally available expertise more accessible to interested parties. Where particular animal welfare issues are debated, it may be possible to develop scientific reports with more internationally diverse perspectives. Animal welfare is likely to remain a principal focus of members of the ISAE.