The Sciences of Animal Welfare analyses the diverse, interconnecting subjects which constitute this fascinating multidisciplinary field, whilst also considering the limitations and benefits of those subjects to the development and future of Animal Welfare Science. This book examines past, present and future practices and thinking, including the wide-ranging interests within society that influence attitudes towards animals and conversely how animal welfare scientists may influence those attitudes.

Key themes of the book include:

• Multi-disciplinary working and its benefits: how we can obtain fresh insights, enliven our thinking and improve animal welfare by operating widely within diverse disciplines
• Questioning the fundamental assumptions we each make about animals and their functional capabilities.

The authors acknowledge the field's debt to past successes in animal-based science disciplines, successes that markedly improved animal welfare long before the concept of animal welfare entered common parlance. They also recognise the problems which unexpectedly arose, and anticipate future successes.

Suggesting innovative approaches to Animal Welfare Science, and written by world renowned experts, The Sciences of Animal Welfare is essential reading for anyone interested, studying or currently working in Animal Welfare Science.

This book is part of the UFAW/Wiley-Blackwell Animal Welfare Book Series. This major series of books produced in collaboration between UFAW (The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare), and Wiley-Blackwell provides an authoritative source of information on worldwide developments, current thinking and best practice in the field of animal welfare science and technology. For details of all of the titles in the series see www.wiley.com/go/ufaw.

About the Author
David J Mellor is Professor of Animal Welfare Science, Professor of Applied Physiology and Bioethics, and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University, New Zealand.

Emily Patterson-Kane is an Animal Welfare Scientist at the American Veterinary Medical Association in Illinois, USA.

Kevin J Stafford is Professor of Veterinary Ethology and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University, New Zealand.

UFAW, founded 1926, is an internationally recognised, independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. This book is an excellent new edition to the UFAW series.

Reviews
"The book is appropriately organized and clearly written, and there are abundant reference citations.
Each chapter starts with a detailed outline to quickly guide readers to the paragraph of interest. " (Vet Med Today, 15 June 2010)

"Provides a clearly reasoned and thorough theoretical framework for the evaluation and solution of animal welfare problems in the highly technological environment in which many veterinarians work. Veterinarians, managers, and technicians involved with intensive animal care and use programs in any setting will find this book extremely valuable... The book requires readers to pay close attention, but it will reward them with a valuable new perspective and approach to solving critical problems." (JAVMA, June 2010)

"Provides a solid foundation for understanding and developing perspective on issues of animal welfare which have previously been addressed by varied facets of society in a more abstract manner. The authors present their well-informed opinions but advocate strongly as well for the application of objective measurement techniques and evidence-based approaches to inform the evolution of the field. The use of summary phrases to introduce each new thought or section is an outstanding approach to presenting the information, which other books would do well to adopt." (Doody's, February 2010)

Book Information
ISBN 9781405134958
Author David Mellor
Format Paperback
Page Count 222
Imprint Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 499g
Dimensions(mm) 245mm * 173mm * 14mm