Companion Animals

Research relating to cats, dogs, birds, and other companion animals including rescue, sheltering, adoptions, and population.

grey pit bull-type dog sticking tongue out staring off into distance

Goodbye, BSL: The Public Is Changing Its Mind About Pit Bulls

Aug 11 2026 Alyssa Hanes

Pit bulls are hounded by a bad reputation in the U.S., and advocates have fought hard to rehabilitate their image. This study suggests it may be working, with more than 300 discriminatory breed-specific laws repealed since 2012. READ MORE

Goodbye, BSL: The Public Is Changing Its Mind About Pit Bulls

Aug 11 2026 Alyssa Hanes

In the Spotlight

Oct 29 2014 | Florence Williams

Dogs First Years Predict The Outcome Of Future Behaviors

A test has found that experiences early in a dog’s life shape their future behavior, and dogs that score high on positive behavior early in life continue to keep these characteristics. READ MORE

Oct 23 2014 | Faunalytics

Animals, Animal Lovers & Animal Cruelty In Old Time Radio

Many old-time radio programs survive and give us a fascinating and sometimes surprising glimpse into the cultural attitudes of the day towards animals. READ MORE

Oct 23 2014 | Faunalytics

Quantifying Free-Roaming Domestic Cat Predation

Almost half of free-roaming cats hunt but only 29% capture prey, with reptiles followed by mammals, worms and insects being the most common prey. READ MORE

Oct 17 2014 | Faunalytics

Live-Feeding Prey to Captive Predators

For sport and entertainment, live prey are often fed to predators in captivity. The lives of these live prey end in painful and gruesome deaths. What should we do about this cruel practice? READ MORE

Oct 13 2014 | Faunalytics

Functional MRI In Awake Unrestrained Dogs

A study using MRI shows that a dog's brain shows far more activity when they get a hand signal indicating treats, than when they get a hand signal denoting something else. READ MORE

Oct 6 2014 | Florence Williams

Effect Of Stroking On Behavior In Shelter Cats

A study has found that cats in animal shelters that are stroked daily have less stress, reduced shedding and none of the cats were aggressive after 6 days. READ MORE

Sep 30 2014 | Florence Williams

Social Dimensions Of The Human–Avian Bond

This study sought to research the relationship between parrot companions and their guardians. READ MORE

Sep 30 2014 | Faunalytics

Fish Intelligence, Sentience and Ethics

The laddered concept of evolution is outdated and fishes' amazing abilities, need to be respected and taken seriously by ethicists. READ MORE

Sep 26 2014 | Florence Williams

Pets For Life – A New Community Understanding (2012)

Over half of companion animal guardians have never been to a veterinarian, with most people lacking access to basic healthcare for their companion animals. READ MORE

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