In this episode, Kerri interviews her co-host, Sophie, about being a pioneering researcher in sheep welfare, focusing on her groundbreaking work on sheep dental disorders that are highlighted in her recently published paper called Incisor Disorders of Merino Sheep (Ovis aries). They discuss the often overlooked species within welfare research, policy, and care standards, despite being part of human history for thousands of years.
Sophie shares her passion for sheep and the importance of understanding their welfare needs, emphasizing the need for more research in this area. She also talks about the industry preference for white wool, and how her farm has become a sanctuary for black, brown and grey sheep that are often discarded.
They discuss the challenges of on-farm slaughter, how transport prior to slaughter is the norm for most producers, and how transport times can have a negative impact on sheep welfare, especially those that involve live export between countries via ship. Live sheep export bans have been put into place in the UK and are expected to be implemented in Australia within three years.
This episode is a primer for listeners that tune in for the next AIT episode: an interview with Katia Colitti about her paper called Sheep fatigue during transport…..Lost in translation? .
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Media impact on Irish farmers with Amy Duley
In this episode, Sophie and Kerri interview PhD student and Teagusc Walsh Scholar, Amy Duley, about her paper called Irish cattle farmers’ experiences and perceptions of negative framing of farm animal welfare in the media. She discusses the communication gaps between farmers and the public, the media's role, and negative stereotypes affecting farmers' mental health. They delve into the topics of social trust, One Welfare, and the lack of services within the rural farm community. Duley talks about her past work as a USDA inspector, the need for updated legislation and improved training in US slaughterhouses. She stresses that farmer well-being is vital for good animal welfare and advocates for better communication among all stakeholders. Stepping outside of the “us and them” thinking and engaging in authentic discourse will benefit all: farmers, consumers, animals, and the environment.
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Polarization in Animal Protection- Primer
Sophie and Kerri discuss the polarization (or polarisation if you live in UK, Aussie...) within the animal protection movement and the need for clear communication and discussion for progress. They recap their interview with bioethicist Peter Sandøe from their last episode and introduce their next interview with animal welfare scientist, Duley, about the negative impact media has on Irish farmers. The hosts discuss how communication can be affected by differing terminology and negative stereotypes, and suggest that finding a middle ground between polarized viewpoints can improve productivity in setting standards for animal welfare. Sophie and Kerri review a recent paper by Sandøe that offers a new definition of positive animal welfare, which includes elements such as positive mental states, resilience, having choice, good genes, and the ability to flourish. They also explore the online disinhibition effect observed in social media and its potential for toxicity, hate speech, and bullying. The two Gen-X hosts reminisce about growing up without cellphones and value disconnecting from technology.
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Animal Ethics with Peter Sandøe
Sophie and Kerri interview bioethics professor, Peter Sandøe, about his long career in animal ethics and companion animal welfare at University of Copenhagen. Sandøe values cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary discussions when it comes to animals. In this interview, he explains the need for understanding diverse viewpoints and ethical pluralism for collaboration and progress within animal welfare, which is highlighted in his 2013 publication, The Good, the Right, and the Fair. Sandøe discusses his most recent paper, A Consensus on the Definition of Positive Animal Welfare, and the process in which it came about. He also touches on examples of applied animal ethics topics including: wildlife rehabilitation and the importance of returning animals to the wild for the prevention of pet-ification; cultural differences in pet ownership and sterilization norms; end-of-life decisions for shelters and pet owners; speciesism and the need to reevaluate the categorization of animal groups; and the need for better welfare of farmed animals, especially pigs. Sandøe concludes his interview by addressing how political crises hinder animal welfare progress, such as the EU’s Cage Free Europe, and stressed the need for peace for the sake of human and non-human animals alike.
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Pig Motivation and Welfare with Dr. Inés Sánchez-Garcia
In this episode of Animals in Translation, Kerri and Sophie interview Dr. Inés Sánchez-Garcia about her MSc dissertation on the motivation and cognitive abilities of pigs. Ines is a laboratory animal veterinarian at Newcastle University. She is responsible for, monitors and provides advice on the health, welfare and treatment of animals in research, with a particular interest in animal welfare, motivation and cognition. After graduating from Complutense University of Madrid, she pursued an international career across three continents as a veterinary clinician. Her passion for animal welfare drove her to complete a master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh in applied animal behaviour and welfare.
Inés explains the complex relationship between motivation, behavior, and cognition, and how it should be considered in animal research to help reduce bias and support the 3R-s, particularly the reduction of animals used. Inés walks listeners through the concepts of contra freeloading, such as cat predation, and reward anticipation through learned experience, such as training a dog with treats. She also touches on the variation in cognitive styles, such as in humans using different skills to solve a math problem. Here’s a link to a video about her research.
Inés' study supports the claim that food restriction is not necessary for cognitive behavioral research on pigs. The study also suggests that pigs with environmental enrichment tend to perform better on cognitive tests. Inés highlights the need for better welfare standards in animal husbandry, particularly eliminating the use of farrowing and gestation crates, and providing straw to pigs in commercial farms.
Animals in Translation is a podcast brought to you by hosts from across the globe who talk with experts about their animal welfare work. The goal? To deconstruct animal issues into palatable pieces for listeners wanting to dig deeper into international animal welfare, ethics, or policy. Tune in monthly for new episodes.
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