This study hypothesized that supplementing Japanese quail diets with phytogenic additives could reduce stress-related behaviors and improve egg quality. The objective was to evaluate the effects of and on performance, egg quality, body and cloacal temperatures, behavior, tonic immobility, body injuries, and feather condition in laying quails. One hundred twenty birds, 150 days old, were randomly assigned to three treatments: control, 1.00 mg/kg , and 1.00 mg/kg , with eight replicates of five birds. Evaluations lasted fifty-six days in two periods. The additives did not affect performance, tonic immobility, feather quality, or lesions. Control birds showed higher albumen height, and differences appeared in color parameters Fan, L, and b**. Chest temperature was lower in birds receiving . Aggressive behaviors decreased significantly in both supplemented groups. Although performance was unchanged, the additives improved egg quality, especially yolk pigmentation, and reduced aggression, indicating benefits for welfare and stress adaptation in intensive quail production. These outcomes highlight the potential of phytogenic inclusion as a practical nutritional strategy to support stability, health, and productivity in commercial systems.

A retrospective study (Study 1) involving 89 births and 137 newborns was evaluated based on data from two breeder centers during 2019-2021. The sixteen pregnant household dogs were monitored for their weights and ear skin temperature (EST) of the mother and their puppies at birth (study 2). Study 1 showed an early neonatal mortality (ENM) rate of 89% among the births and 10.6% among the neonates, while in study 2 ENM rate was 18.8% of the births and 8.2% of the newborn puppies. Healthy neonates of various breeds showed different mean daily weight gains either during 5 or 7 days of birth (Study 1). Moreover, the average of puppy to mother birthweight (WB) ratio is 0.04, with significant variation among breeds (Study 2). The mean EST of puppies at birth (35.3°C) was less than that respective mothers (37.9°C), showing no significant variation among breeds. A significant correlation (r = 0.6) was detected between puppy EST at birth and with neonate to mother WB ratio ( = 0.0003). The ENM rate is higher in breeder centers compared to household dogs. EST measurement at birth is a simple procedure to monitor mother's and puppy's body temperatures.

This mixed-methods study investigated themes and factors associated with recent dog adopters declining free over-the-phone support for dog behaviors of concern. At least one behavior of concern (potentially aggressive behavior [PAB], separation-related behavior [SRB], or other behavior of concern [OB]) was reported across 6,317 post-adoption support (PAS) calls made to 3,782 adopters at 2-days, 2-weeks, and 4-months post-adoption. However, for 68.8% of calls, the behavior support offered was declined. Generalized linear mixed-effects modeling and Tukey post-hoc testing showed declining support was significantly more likely at 2-weeks post-adoption compared to 2-days and when reporting behaviors of concern in the following combinations: PAB or SRB individually > PAB and SRB simultaneously > only OB > OB with PAB +/SRB. Inductive thematic analysis produced four themes from adopters' responses around declining help: ", ", ", and ". Findings offer insights into adopter attitudes around dog behavior, support needs, and behavioral management. Future research should explore whether declining this support is associated with using other support types and whether uptake impacts overall adoption.

This paper initiates new conversations about using physiological indicators to assess dog welfare. There are significant concerns about construct validity - whether measures used accurately reflect welfare's complexity. We propose evidence-based frameworks to advance canine welfare assessment through improved physiological measurement protocols, challenge over reliance on isolated cortisol measurements, and present actionable recommendations for research methodologies that better consider individual variation. Current evidence demonstrates that animal welfare assessment requires multiple physiological indicators reflecting distinct biological systems. In practice, indicators are frequently used in isolation with limited salient dog descriptors, failing to reflect the canine experience adequately. Using a systems approach, we explore various physiological systems and alternative indicators It is essential to consider factors like age, body weight, and sex when interpreting biomarkers, and researchers should report these. This discussion identifies indicators for both positive and negative experiences. We advocate for a practical, evidence-based approach to assessing indicators of canine welfare, including noninvasive collection methods. We acknowledge the complexity of evaluating experiential responses in dogs and the need for continued work to improve practices, ultimately advancing welfare assessment and improving dogs' lives.

Environmental enrichment is vital for captive animal welfare and should be integrated into tailored action programs. Setting objectives requires information on time use, enclosure use, and social compatibility. While activity and space are commonly assessed through instantaneous scan sampling, social relationships usually demand time-consuming focal sampling of affiliative or agonistic interactions. Since scan sampling also records social behavior, it raises the question of whether this method could offer a quicker yet reliable way to evaluate social relationships within groups. We studied grooming exchanges in a zoo-housed chimpanzee group, comparing social structures from scan and focal sampling. Results showed scan sampling yielded estimates of grooming similar to focal sampling. By reducing data collection time, scan sampling streamlines early enrichment program stages, enabling faster diagnosis of group dynamics and more efficient establishment of enrichment objectives, thus supporting animal welfare without compromising data quality.

Behavioral observations of six dogs during seven animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are presented. Previous studies with AAI have not found significant threats toward dogs' welfare. However, some findings suggest that environmental, human participant-related, dog-related factors and the type of intervention may influence the welfare. It is important to understand how AAIs affect participating dogs. This study aimed to describe behavioral responses of dogs engaged in AAIs, assess the use of behavioral observations as indicators for dogs' welfare, and include handler's perceptions. The interventions took place at two outdoor events. Seven AAI sessions with six different dogs were videotaped to analyze their behavior. Appeasement behaviors were shown at the highest frequencies (10.89/minute (SD 3.91)), followed by posture changes (5.95/minute (SD 2.36). Each dog displayed avoidance behavior at least once during each session. Most owners scored their dogs' stress levels at 1 or 2 on a scale of 1-4. Behaviors indicating both positive and negative welfare were observed. Moreover, a potential need for the education of handlers to advocate for their dogs was identified.

Undergraduate ( = 32), graduate ( = 33), and veterinary students ( = 6) visited a virtual reality (VR) tour of a swine ( = 29) or dairy ( = 42) farm. Each tour featured a 360-degree video with voiceover and a self-guided exploration of farm basics and animal welfare challenges. The self-guided VR tour provided interactive hotspots for information. Students completed surveys pre- and post-tours, using a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Students who experienced the dairy farm showed significant increased agreement on welfare statements ( < 0.01), including that "Dairy producers care about cow welfare." Similarly, swine tour students agreed more with "Current swine husbandry practices result in positive animal welfare" ( < 0.01). After the dairy tour, students agreed more on practices like the importance of biosecurity in transitioning barns ( < 0.01), while swine tour students showed no change ( = 1.0). Overall, virtual tours increased awareness of animal welfare ( < 0.05). More research is needed, but VR tours may effectively enhance classroom discussions on animal welfare.

The Compassion Questionnaire for Animals (CQA) was developed to measure compassion for animals as a multifaceted construct encompassing affective, cognitive, behavioral, and interrelatedness dimensions, each representing skills that can be cultivated through training and practice. Nonetheless, the original 28-item limited its usability in research. This study aimed to address this limitation by developing a shortened version of the questionnaire while preserving its strengths. The CQA underwent an iterative shortening process that was evaluated in a large-scale validation study was conducted to evaluate the shortened questionnaires. The final version comprised 18 items (CQA-18) with high content and valence balance among items. Psychometric analysis indicated that CQ-18 maintained properties similar to the original questionnaire in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity, while also presenting an invariant factor structure by gender. CQA-18 represents a significant reduction in length compared to the original version, while maintaining robust psychometric properties. The study findings underscore the theoretical and practical significance of the questionnaire in assessing and cultivating compassion for animals. However, certain limitations warrant consideration, and the implications for research and clinical practice are thoroughly discussed.

Laparoscopy is the preferred technique for artificial insemination (AI) with frozen semen in sheep, given the ovine cervix's anatomical challenges. This study assessed if and when laparoscopic AI alters stress and inflammation markers. Ewes underwent estrus synchronization and were divided into Control (hormonal protocol only; n=4) and LP (laparoscopic AI 54-60 h post-protocol; n=5) groups. Blood samples were collected at D-1 (pre-fasting), 0 h (during AI), 30 min, 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h post-procedure to measure serum cortisol, total protein (TP), albumin, and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). LP ewes showed elevated cortisol (p=0.01) at 0 h and 48 h compared to Controls. Albumin decreased acutely in LP at 0 h, 30 min, and 60 min. PON1 activity and TP remained unchanged, though data variability suggests larger samples for future validation. In conclusion, laparoscopic AI modulates cortisol and albumin, highlighting the need for strategies to reduce procedure-induced stress and inflammation, which can impair reproductive performance.

Common bottlenose dolphins residing in zoos and aquariums are viewed as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. Previous studies on wild bottlenose dolphins have raised concerns about exposure to phthalates - synthetic chemicals that can pose health risks. Recent research on wild bottlenose dolphins has reported prevalent exposure to phthalates. The current case study investigated urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations for five adult female common bottlenose dolphins residing at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Most of the tests performed for specific metabolites did not show detectable concentrations, and metabolite concentrations were generally low when detected. Animal care professionals working at other zoos and aquariums should: 1) investigate phthalate exposure for bottlenose dolphins and other aquatic species, and if necessary, 2) identify sources of phthalate exposure. Furthermore, researchers can conduct experiments to gain insight into how various species process and excrete phthalate metabolites. The ultimate goal is to enhance the welfare of professionally managed animals by reducing exposure to phthalates and to inform our understanding of the metabolic degradation of phthalates.

Accurate monitoring of animal behavior is critical for assessing welfare and informing conservation strategies for vulnerable species like the eastern hoolock gibbon (). To overcome limitations of manual observation and single-frame analysis in captive settings, this study developed the first human-annotated spatiotemporal behavior dataset for this species and proposed YOWOvG, an improved deep learning model integrating the SE attention mechanism and GELAN for enhanced feature extraction. Trained on 69,919 labeled frames across four behaviors (Resting, Socializing, Climbing, Walking), YOWOvG achieved an 85.20% Frame-mAP in video-based recognition. This is a 6.3% improvement over the baseline result while maintaining computational efficiency. The model effectively captured temporal dynamics and spatial contexts, significantly improving recognition of climbing and walking despite data imbalances. The results demonstrate the potential of automated, noninvasive video monitoring to enhance welfare assessment in rescue centers by detecting subtle behavioral changes. Future work will expand behavioral categories, address stereotypic behaviors, and integrate audio cues for holistic monitoring. This approach provides a scalable framework for behavior-informed management of captive wildlife.

Staff and volunteers represent charities to the public and are often approached for guidance about the charity specialism regardless of their actual role. This study explored whether staff and volunteers at an Animal Welfare Organisation have consistent perceptions of the importance of pre-acquisition research and expected care requirements for seven companion animal species. Two hundred and sixty-four staff and volunteers completed an online questionnaire. Comparisons were made between volunteer and staff roles, and those working in direct Pet Services and those in Non-Pet Services departments. The importance of pre-acquisition research was recognized by the majority of participants (> 80%) for all species. Overall, type of role and species had a significant effect on participant willingness to pay initial set up costs and perceived suitability as a pet for children, ease of care and expected time commitment. Department had a significant effect on willingness to pay set up costs. These results suggest that animal welfare organizations should take time to understand the views of their wider teams in relation to the animals that they care for to ensure that effective welfare friendly messaging can be reflected by all areas of the organization.

Every day, thousands of humorous animal videos are uploaded on social media platforms. In this study, 162 pet videos intended to be funny from various social media platforms were analyzed for content related to poor animal welfare. The videos were analyzed regarding risk of injury for the animals, suspected pain, agony breeding characteristics and animal behavior indicating stress. The success of each video was assessed based on views, likes and shares. Stress reactions of the animals were observed in 82% of all videos, while risks of injury were found in 52% of the videos. Pain was assumed in 30% of cases, and 32% of the videos showed pets displaying agony breeding characteristics, such as brachycephaly. A total of 93.8% of all videos achieved the benchmark "views:account follower (exposure)" value of 0.14, classifying them as successful videos. This study showed that successful animal videos on social media are often related to poor animal welfare. The study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among social media users about animal welfare issues and can be the starting point for necessary educational work.

The use of methods to promote feline well-being is common in veterinary medicine. This study evaluated whether exposure to catnip (Nepeta cataria) and feline facial pheromone alters vital or behavioral parameters in cats undergoing clinical examination with a cat friendly approach. This is relevant, as even minor changes in these parameters can affect the physical exam or clinical interpretation. Eight healthy cats were evaluated in a randomized, blinded study. Baseline data were collected in the home environment, and then the cats were transported, handled, and clinically assessed following Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines. In a standard care room, the effects of catnip, feline facial pheromone, and a placebo (0.9% saline) were tested. Neither catnip nor pheromone produced significant changes in clinical or behavioral parameters. The tested substances were not able to alter parameters to the point of masking health changes in the animals. Thus, the cat friendly approach remains effective in minimizing stress and promoting positive experiences during clinical evaluations.

Despite protection under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, rabbits in the United Kingdom are often housed in inadequate environments. In this study, semi-structured interviews were used to explore public perceptions of companion rabbit ownership and accommodation requirements. Thematic analysis revealed that participant views about keeping rabbits as companion animals varied, including their perceptions of the care they require. Seventy-one percent of the participants with previous rabbit ownership experience were unlikely to consider rabbit ownership again, mainly due to the realities of rabbit care. Tradition and the lack of visibility of good practice were cited as key influences behind perceptions of appropriate rabbit accommodation. Participants lacked awareness of the minimum space required for adequate rabbit accommodation within the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits. Acquisition sources were considered an important avenue for advice about appropriate rabbit accommodation provision. Owner ability to suitably provide for rabbit needs was highlighted as a significant issue. Ultimately with conflict between what society can provide and rabbit welfare needs, the future of rabbits as companion animals in the United Kingdom is uncertain.

The welfare of winter-born suckling goat kids is important, as their thermoregulatory systems are still developing. The pilot study investigated the impact of heat-retentive kid nest (HRKN) on hiding, playing and suckling behaviors of kids born during winter. Twelve newborn kids were divided into two groups along with their respective dams. The HRKN, designed to provide warmer microclimatic conditions, served as ancillary housing for the HRKN group, while the control group was housed intensively without HRKN. Given the lack of independent replicates in each treatment group ( = 1 per treatment), the results are summarized descriptively. The preference of kids for the HRKN was evident early in life, with decreased hiding observed as they matured. As age increased, suckling duration decreased, but HRKN kids had higher summed duration and frequencies of suckling, with less rejection. Additionally, HRKN kids showed increased frequencies of play behaviors including locomotor play, jumping, head pressing, head movement, and mounting. HRKN thus emerged as an effective management tool for pre-weaned suckling goat kids during winter for improving their welfare.

Optimizing shelter design is essential for improving the welfare and husbandry practices of Dybowski's frog (). This study examined shelter preferences by testing variables such as material, size, shape, color, height, and tunnel structure. The results revealed distinct behavioral preferences that have significant implications for ecosystem management. Adult frogs demonstrated a preference for shelters made of palm bark, specifically those that were larger, rectangular, brown, and elevated 10 cm above the ground. Juvenile frogs favored even larger, rectangular shelters, preferring those made of ceramic materials and positioned 5 cm above the ground. Both adult and juvenile frogs consistently avoided spherical tunnels, showing a preference for deeper tunnels, which indicates an important aspect of their behavioral ecology. These insights are essential for optimizing the breeding environment of , potentially improving survival rates, reproduction, and broader conservation efforts. This study establishes a behavioral framework for optimizing captive management protocols of , providing empirical data to refine anti-predatory adaptations in confinement settings and environmental enrichment strategies in commercial breeding operations.

This study investigated the effect of environmental enrichment on behavior, welfare and litter quality in broiler chickens. The birds were housed in enriched (EE) or conventional (C) litter production system. Four experimental groups were formed (EE - FAST, EE - SLOW, C - FAST, C - SLOW). Perching behavior was influenced by strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). Lying/standing on straw bales varied according to strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). Lying in sandboxes was influenced by the strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). The strain and time of the day had no effect on dustbathing behavior (P>0.05). However, the bird's age influenced dustbathing behavior (P<0.05). The rectal, and breast region temperature and the litter quality also varied among the strains (P<0.05). The TI induction also increased with age (P<0.05). The housing environment, strain, and age had no effect on TI duration, metatarsal and comb region temperature, and gait score (P>0.05). The strain affected the tibia and femur traits (length, width, and breaking strength) (P<0.05). However, the environment only influenced the bone-breaking strength (P<0.05).

The study offers an overview of rabbit ownership and welfare in Spain, derived from an online survey with 1246 responses, highlighting regional disparities. Most rabbits were dwarf breeds or lop-eared, come from pet stores or as gifts and cared for by women with 58% being sterilized. Most rabbits lived cage-free indoors, primarily consuming hay (75%), with accessible veterinary care. The vaccination rates were higher (81%) than testing for encephalitozoonosis (27.61%) or microchipping (24.72%). The owners also reported nocturnal behavioral patterns (50%). Approximately 65% rabbits cohabitating with others never engage in fights. Additionally, 40% of respondents reported daily lifting of their rabbits, while 39% noted occasional biting incidents. The data indicate that rabbits acquired through purchase or as gifts generally experience a lower quality of life, as do those whose owners do not seek information from veterinarians or rescue organizations. Most rabbit owners were able to pinpoint quality-enhancing activities, and 43% of them noted that the frequency of such activities has decreased. The findings underscore the need for informed, empathetic care to ensure rabbit welfare.