Interacting with Animals

This book combines scientific principles with philosophical and ethical considerations to develop a practical approach to animal behaviour and welfare. It considers the concept of and measurability of consciousness and emphasises the need to better understand how animals behave both in relation to and outside of human influence.

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Animal behaviour and, as a result, animal welfare are increasingly complex areas of study, with the diversity of the animal kingdom and new research findings ensuring there is no one, easy answer. Instead, we need to take a holistic approach, combining scientific principles with both philosophical and ethical considerations to develop all-inclusive policies and legislation that decide how society should interact with domestic, farm and native animals. With a focus on domestic animals, while also referring to wild species to reinforce the arguments, this book: · promotes direct observation for those who claim to be interested in animals, their behaviour, and their welfare. · considers the concept of consciousness, how it can be assessed, and how it relates to suffering and animal welfare more widely. · emphasizes the need to understand better how animals behave both with humans and outside of human influence, considering the diversity of behaviour and sensorial capacities across species. · includes author knowledge and expertise across a wide range of animal species, from primates to farm animals, and across animal living situations from intensive to free ranging. We are far from having all the answers, so this book also raises questions that require further research and focus, such as the way animals are likely to act based on their recent and whole-of-life experiences. Still, this review of the topic, an updated translation of the French language work Vivre parmi les animaux, mieux les comprendre, is an invaluable resource for everyone with an interest in animal behaviour and welfare.