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Repugnance as a Constraint on Markets
In a unique paper exploring the pressure of "repugnance" on economic markets, researcher Alvin E. Roth shows how people's distaste for certain transactions can have a serious constraint on different types of economic activity. Outlining a wide range of examples, including paying for organ transplants, the "game" of "dwarf tossing," and the sale and consumption of horse and dog meat, Roth shows how repugnance is culturally engrained and can sometimes change over time given certain circumstances, or become further entrenched. The paper offers interesting theoretical information for animal advocates who work on issues where "repugnance" may feature. READ MORE

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Should Dogs and Cats be Given as Gifts?
For animal advocates, the idea of giving companion animals as gifts has long been considered a poor practice, that increases the likelihood that those same animals will be relinquished to shelters. However, the results from this U.S. study, suggests we should reconsider this notion, as the data gathered from various research shows that companion animals given as gifts actually have a lower relinquishment rate than others. This study, carried out by various ASPCA members, challenges the prevailing wisdom around animal adoptions, and offers companion animal advocates a potential new avenue to successfully place animals in forever homes, even if it goes against "common sense." READ MORE

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Challenges and Supports for Vegetarians
The Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) surveyed current and former vegetarians and vegans to better understand the challenges they face in their dietary choices, and see what kind of support would help them the most. This online survey of over 1000 people discovered that both current and former vegetarians and vegans found that "eating out" and "getting enough nutrients" were central challenges. In addition, the best supports that could be offered were cheaper vegetarian and vegan food and giving "suggestions for eating out". None of the support mechanisms identified addressed the issue of nutrients. READ MORE

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Underlying Differences Between Conscientious Omnivores and Vegetarians in the Evaluation of Meat and Animals
As the consumption of so-called "ethically produced meat" continues to rise, the differences between "Conscientious Omnivores" (COs) and vegetarians / vegans (known together here as veg*ns) becomes increasingly useful to animal advocates. This study surveyed a variety of COs and veg*ns, to find out how they view themselves, animals, and meat. The results show that there are significant ethical differences between COs and veg*ns, especially when it comes to self-identity, and how they view animals in relation to themselves. READ MORE

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Proper Names and the Social Construction of Biography: The Negative Case of Laboratory Animals
In this piece, Mary T. Phillips explores the importance of providing names and a narrative for animals used in research, as a way of forming ethical relationships. Because lab animals are so often only identified by a number, or another identifier which are not "names" per se, they demonstrate a "negative case" enabling lab workers to distance themselves from the animals' situation. Phillips deconstructs the category of "laboratory animal," and provides some comparisons to our treatment of companion animals that could be useful for research animal advocates. READ MORE

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Pay Per Read Study Results
This study from Vegan Outreach compares the impact of two pro-veg pamphlets in order to measure the effectiveness of paying people to read outreach literature. In addition to seeing how much people changed their behavior based on being exposed to the different leaflets, the study also measured how much money (in the form of pay-per-read payments) might be required to effect pro-veg behavior change per person. The results provide insight into the effectiveness of different literature, as well as the kind of budgeting that might be useful for pay-per-read outreach programs. READ MORE

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Chemical Sterilization: A Safe Alternative for Dogs?
In an effort to reduce stray dog populations, researchers are looking at the safety and effectiveness of chemical sterilization as an alternative to surgery. In this article, Raffaella Leoci looks at the use of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2) as a chemical sterilization agent that could help to make neutering programs more cost and time efficient. With the right formula and application, CaCl2 is highly effective, and the author concludes it could be a major step forward in reducing dog overpopulation. READ MORE

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Pet Virginia Opossums and Skunks
In this information article from the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Cathy Johnson-Delaney profiles Virginia opossums and skunks as potential pets, outlining their physical characteristics and personalities, as well as explaining the unique challenges encountered when keeping them as companion animals. Minimal attention is paid to how humans might happen to have acquired such species as companions. The author instead focuses on how to care for opossums and skunks, with the paper geared towards vets who may have to work with these animals. READ MORE

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Modelling Farm Animal Welfare
In this study, researchers Lisa Collins and Chérie Part evaluate the usefulness of various modeling approaches to provide for better evaluations and assessment of farm animal welfare. The paper takes into account different forms of data that numerous models collect, as well as the ways they might be able to shape or influence policy. Though the authors note that models must be "parameterised" with "real world observations," they hope that this effort to create a comprehensive whole system approach will inspire further research in this direction. READ MORE
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September 10, 12pm-5pm ET

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