Animal Welfare Foundation

🐾 As an independent charity, funded solely by charitable donations, we urgently need your support to continue our vital work, supporting vets and allied professionals to champion animal welfare through evidence-based research, education, and debate. On this #GivingTuesday, please donate to keep our essential work alive 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebWGaJCA

💉 Overtreatment: just because we can does it mean we should? Join us next Thursday for our last online student talk of 2024! 📅 5th December 2024 🕑 12:30pm -1:30pm 📍 Online: https://lnkd.in/eF5GARhj 🗣 Julian Kupfer BVSc LLM MRCVS Advances in veterinary medicine have no doubt led to animals enjoying an increasing length - and quality - of life, and higher expectations of clinical excellence. But whilst treatments are progressing, are they always in the animal’s best interests? This talk will look at overtreatment, current regulations, the role of the owner, and the ultimate welfare of the animal. Register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF5GARhj

🐾 Are you an undergraduate student passionate about animal welfare and looking for an opportunity to bring your ideas to life? Look no further than the Animal Welfare Foundation’s Student Grant Scheme!     The scheme offers you the chance to carry out a short, fully funded, research project that will deepen your knowledge and understanding of animal welfare and contribute to the evidence-base on key animal welfare issues and challenges. Here are just a few examples of successful student projects from previous years:   🐶 Exploring the use of enrichment feeding for pet dogs 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMqSb37N Madeline explored the practice of using food enrichment methods for pet dogs to understand the benefits, challenges, and owners’ perceptions of alternative feeding techniques such as food puzzles, scatter feeding, and interactive toys. Madeline’s research paper was published in June 2023 (Read here: https://lnkd.in/ez5kHVhS)    🐄 Investigating the relationship between grimace expressions of dairy cattle and post-mortem dental health 👉 https://lnkd.in/dQ2FMf8H Jillian’s research project uncovered alarming findings - most cows examined post-mortem showed signs of dental disease, an area that didn't receive much attention despite negatively impacting animal welfare and farm productivity. She is currently working to develop a practical and affordable tool to assess and treat dental disease in cows.    🐴Exploring the relationship between habitat biodiversity and donkey welfare 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVyJHVNU Skye’s research project offers fresh insights for creating and maintaining biodiverse pastures that meet donkeys’ nutritional and behavioural needs.    Your own research could cover areas like animal behaviour, species-specific welfare concerns or even new approaches to treatment and care. Whatever you choose, your findings could influence real-world practice.    Participating in this grant scheme isn’t just about contributing to animal welfare—it’s a chance to develop key research skills, strengthen your CV, and work alongside experienced professionals. You’ll gain practical experience, build connections, and potentially open doors to further academic or career opportunities.    Still need convincing? Read more stories from previous recipients and see how you could make a difference 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5_rdnBB

Earlier this year we were selected by The Benefact Group to be a recipient of a Movement for Good - Larger Grant 🥳 The £12,000 grant will fund our Student Grant Scheme, empowering future animal welfare advocates to tackle key challenges through scientific research. The scheme is open for applications until the end of February 👉https://lnkd.in/e9j9HST7 Thank you Lloyd & Whyte Benefact Group for your generous support 🐾

💡 Can light during incubation improve poultry welfare? Meet Dr Lindsay Henderson, a scientist at The Roslin Institute who, through her AWF-funded research project, is investigating how light exposure during egg incubation influences the behaviour and welfare of layer chicks. The aim is to provide new insights into improving their rearing conditions. Lindsay's study could reshape incubation practices, improving the lives of millions of chickens annually. Discover the fascinating science behind this research and Lindsay’s journey as an avian welfare expert in our Q&A below! 👇 #animalwelfare #avianresearch #welfarescience

🚨Lunch and Learn with AWF! Join us online tomorrow, 19th November at 12pm for a talk on wildlife welfare. Gain insight into the ethical, ecological and practical challenges of wildlife rehabilitation 👇 🦊 Minimising welfare harms when treating British wildlife casualties 📅 19th November 2024 🕑 12pm -1pm 📍 Online: https://lnkd.in/eAqdVXMv 🗣 Elizabeth Mullineaux See you then 👀 #wildlifewelfare #veterinaryeducation

🚨 Win a Discussion Forum 2025 ticket! We look forward to seeing some of you today and tomorrow at our stand in BVA's members' Lounge at the London Vet Show & BVA Live. Not attending? Don't worry, we've got you covered with a chance to win a ticket to the AWF Discussion Forum 2025! Put your animal welfare knowledge to the test by taking our short quiz below - you might learn something new and could secure your seat at our flagship event, the Discussion Forum, which will be returning on 19th May 2025 in London! To enter the prize draw, make sure you submit your details after you complete the quiz. We'll select the winner at random tomorrow, Friday 15th November at 4 pm. Take the quiz here and good luck! 👉 https://lnkd.in/ezbvaTNr

The London Vet Show & BVA Live starts tomorrow! If you're attending this year, get involved with AWF! 👇 🐷🐔 Join us for the session "Beyond the box, animal welfare in pig and poultry confinement systems" on Thursday 14th November, from 2:45 pm to 4 pm in the BVA Congress Theatre. Expert speakers will delve into critical welfare challenges in animal farming, from the impacts of confinement on welfare, with specific emphasis on the pig and poultry sectors, to the implications of alternative systems for food security and environmental sustainability. And, don't forget to come visit us at our stand in the BVA members' lounge and test your animal welfare knowledge with our fun quiz for a chance to win a festive M&S Christmas Hamper 🎁    Pop by, say hello to our team and see how much you know about animal welfare. See you then!

Check out this Vet Record article, "Positive welfare in dairy cows: role of the vet" which emphasizes a powerful shift in #animalwelfare — moving beyond preventing harm to actively enhancing positive experiences and emotions for dairy cows. Vets are key in driving these changes, with the potential to boost both industry sustainability and animal welfare outcomes while meeting consumer expectations. Discover how vets can champion positive welfare practices, engage farmers in meaningful conversations, and implement practical, cost-effective changes to enhance cows' quality of life. A must read 👉https://lnkd.in/evzXcw9c #positivewelfare #animalwelfare #dairycows #cowwelfare #veterinarymedicine

This year, we awarded funding to two research projects considering the human element in animal care, at the heart of the One Welfare concept. One of these projects, entitled Breeding animals for resilient feet: On-farm decision-making and the role of culling in sheep lameness management and breeding strategies is being investigated by environmental social scientist Niamh Mahon and Lecturer in Food Marketing Beth Clark. The project focuses on the challenges associated with culling to manage lameness and the barriers and facilitators to implementing changes on-farm. In this Q&A, Niamh and Beth share what drives their passion and their hopes for this project. Read to learn how they're working to make a real difference in the lives of British sheep and the people who care for them 👇 #animalwelfare #sheeplameness #humanbehaviour #research #farmanimals