As consumers have become more interested in understanding how their food is produced, scrutiny and criticism increased regarding intensified animal production methods. Resolution of public concerns about agricultural practices depends on the myriad factors that provide basis for concerns. An online survey 798 U.S. households was conducted to investigate relationships between household characteristics (demographics, geographic location, experiences) level concern welfare as well sources used...

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were: 1) to estimate the prevalence and characterize severity periodontal disease in a population dogs housed commercial breeding facilities; 2) PD preventive care utilized by facility owners; 3) assess inter-rater reliability visual scoring assessment tool. Adult (N = 445) representing 42 breeds at 24 CB facilities Indiana Illinois were assessed. Periodontal was scored visually using American Veterinary Dental Collage 0-IV scale. Inter-rater...

People's preferences for where they acquire dogs and the characteristics focus on may provide insight into their perceptions of socially responsible pet ownership, as acquiring a dog is first step in ownership. An online survey 1523 U.S. residents was used to aid understanding public acquisition. Likert-scale questions allowed respondents assign level agreement, within given scale, ten statements related A significantly higher percentage women (39.6%) than men (31.7%) agreed that only way...

Periodontal disease is one of the most common conditions affecting companion dogs. The objectives this cross-sectional study were: to determine 1) agreement between visual assessments (VA) periodontal (PD) performed on awake dogs and reference standard (RS) a dental examination radiographs with dog under general anesthesia, 2) inter-rater reliability (IRR) for two individuals performing VAs PD same One hundred eight were recruited from three veterinary practices. An oral staging based...

It is well established that maternal factors can affect the abilities of offspring to cope with stressors and influence their overall welfare states. However, effects have not been extensively explored in US commercial breeding kennels (CBKs). Therefore, objective this study was identify if fear stress dams affected puppy metrics CBKs. Bitches (n = 90) were tested at 6 weeks prepartum (6 W Pre), again puppies 390) 4 (4 Post) 8 (8 postpartum. Dams underwent stranger approach isolation tests,...

Understanding the impact of environmental and management factors on health behavior dogs housed in commercial breeding (CB) facilities is critical to their welfare. The specific aims study were assess (a) associations between combinations flooring substrates commonly used CB kennels with foot, elbow, or hock abnormalities such as pododermatitis, calluses, interdigital furuncle (b) substrate dog cleanliness. Dogs (N = 373) from 20), concrete, gravel, diamond-coated expanded metal assessed. A...

The best-worst scaling method was used to investigate consumers’ perceptions of the relative importance seven different pork production and product attributes. Demographic information then analyzed determine which consumer characteristics were statistically significant determinants these preferences. Of attributes studied, animal welfare ranked third most important following pork/food safety taste. Consumer including gender, having a source for information, purchased in last year found be...

Despite increased discussion about "ethical consumerism", insufficient attention has been given to consumers' attitudes in regard socio-ethical issues and how well they may align with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) expectations. An online survey of 1201 US consumers was conducted determine demographics lifestyle choices might reflect inform purchasing decisions. Women, younger respondents more educated were likely value support environmental protection aspects consumption...

In the United States, escalating concerns about current farm animal science and production methods have resulted not only in increased food protection policies, but also welfare legislation. Animal scientists industry leaders are apprehensive that such policies may be driven primarily by emotion a lack of scientific understanding, thus unforeseen consequences. However, decisions care, particularly welfare, cannot made solely on basis because potential effects producers, animals, concerned...

Identifying coping styles in cats may lead to improved health and welfare. The aims of this study were (1) identify individual differences response acute confinement, (2) assess the predictability guardian-rated personality traits on behavior. Adult (n = 55) singly housed enriched cages behavioral observations recorded for three days. On day 3, familiar unfamiliar person approach tests conducted. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) quantified from voided samples. A questionnaire assessing...

For businesses involved in animal production, ensuring high welfare standards has become the cornerstone of corporate social responsibility practices. Since cannot be verified by consumers at point purchase, industry-led audits provide important assurance that animals used to produce food lived an acceptable quality life and experienced a humane death. The Five Freedoms offer simple tool conceptualize complex, multi-dimensional concept welfare, they have been widely adopted as basic...

As public perception continues to shape the dairy industry, an understanding of consumer views and purchasing behaviors is critically important. The objectives this paper are to: 1) summarize perceptions or 12 common cattle management practices (humane methods slaughter, humane transportation, increased pen stall size, access pasture, feeding a GMO-free diet, organic diet animal would naturally consume, ability interact with other animals same species, fresh water at all times, tail docking,...