*NEW TALK* Pain relief practices at calving: barriers, motivators and impact on cow and calf welfare
This webinar will focus on the use of pain relief at calving and how this impacts cow and calf welfare. Areas of discussion will include uptake of pain relief at calving on dairy farms, barriers and motivators for use of pain relief at calving and an exploration of the evidence basis.
*NEW TALK* Minimising welfare harms when treating British wildlife casualties
This talk will cover wildlife rehabilitation in the context of population health, welfare benefits and harms of treating wildlife considering ecological, ethical and practical impacts on individual animals, other species and the environment. It will also discuss decision-making strategies for successful wildlife rehabilitation and release.
*NEW TALK* Can animals get bored and how can we know this?
Is boredom uniquely human or can some animals experience it too? Science is beginning to answer this question, revealing a potentially important and overlooked animal welfare issue.
*NEW TALK* How big is the equine obesity problem in the UK, and what advice can be given?
This talk will look at the impact of obesity on the UK equine population and explore how vets can effectively educate owners, and provide effective solutions to address the problem and improve equine welfare.
Dangerous dogs: it’s complicated!
This talk will cover signs of aggression, who and why dogs might bite and how aggression may be prevented. We will also cover the Dangerous Dogs Act and other legislation surrounding dangerous dogs. The talk will finish with a case study to start discussion on how the issue of aggression might be handled in practice.
Puppy Farming
This talk will cover different aspects of puppy farming, including: definitions, numbers, locations, legislation, the consequences of puppy farming, and what actions are needed to help tackle the issue. The talk will also include a case study around identifying and dealing with suspected cases of puppy farming in practice.
How to respond to requests from clients for the euthanasia of healthy companion animals
Depending on the speaker this talk may cover: definitions of euthanasia, potential reasons for euthanising an animal, how to manage the process, ethical considerations from the perspectives of different stakeholders (animal, owner, veterinary staff, wider society), and alternatives to euthanasia. This will be followed by a selection of interactive case studies about euthanasia in practice.
Sheep are not stupid
This talk will cover research into sheep behaviour, as well as examining welfare indicators and human behaviour that affects sheep wellbeing.
Is farm animal welfare being overlooked in favour of production?
The efficiency of UK livestock production has doubled over the last 30 years, with larger herds and flocks producing greater volumes of meat, milk and eggs from the same number of stock. But in this drive for agricultural productivity, has the welfare of farm animals suffered? What role should vets have in livestock farming in the 21st Century? And how can veterinary professionals help farms achieve sustainability without compromising welfare?
Overtreatment – Just because we can does it mean we should?
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. Students will also consider real life clinical scenarios and ask themselves how they would proceed.
Organic farming and welfare
This talk will cover aspects of organic farming of various farmed species and how this approach to farming may impact on animal welfare.
