Links
Recommended resources for veterinary and animal science

Animal welfare, alternatives and ethics

Animal Welfare Information Gateways

The World-Wide Web Virtual Library: Animal Health, Well-Being and Rights
This site has four subsections:

• General sites with focus on many types of animal
• Specialised sites that focus on one type of animal
• Miscellaneous documents and images
• Related subjects in the Virtual Library.

Animal Rights and Welfare Resources
This web site created by the University of Guelph ( Ontario) Library provides links to resources on animal rights and welfare. Resources include web sites, electronic books and journals, and discussion groups.

General resources

University of Sydney Library Catalogue
Some recommended subject headings on the University of Sydney Library Catalogue are:

• animal welfare
• animal experimentation moral and ethical aspects
• animal industry moral and ethical aspects
• human animal relationships moral and ethical aspects
• laboratory animals and related subject headings

Animal Welfare Guidelines and Issues

Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS)
The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) was developed under the auspices of the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW). "The Strategy includes animals used in research and teaching, animals used for the production of food and fibre and other products, companion and guide animals, animals used for recreation, entertainment and display, native and introduced wildlife and feral animals". The report and other related resources are published on the web by Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (AFFA).

Draft National Implementation Plan of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
This draft report was published in November 2005 and is part of the process of implementing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).

National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare - Position Statements
"NCCAW position statements are the Committee’s policy statements on animal welfare issues. The statements, derived from sound scientific knowledge and expertise, are developed through extensive consultation with relevant industry bodies and experts and are discussed at NCCAW meetings." The statements cover a wide range of subjects and are published in full by AFFA.

ARMCANZ : Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals
This resource from the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) provides model codes of practice for the welfare of the following: animals at saleyards, farmed buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, emus, feral animals, goats, horses, pigs, poultry, rabbits and sheep. Published on the web by CSIRO Publishing.

Some Practical Solutions to Welfare Problems in Dog Breeding (.pdf)
This paper, written by Dr Paul McGreevy and Associate Professor Frank Nicholas from the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, examines the history and formation of some dog breeds, their current health and welfare problems and makes recommendations for the resolution of these problems. The article is reproduced from Animal Welfare Volume 8. pages 329-341 with the kind permission of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW).

Using Animals in Science
This resource is prepared jointly by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, New Zealand, (ANZCCART NZ) and the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University in New Zealand. Includes discussion of issues such as why study animals?; minimising the harm done to animals used in science; benefits of animal-based science; balancing harm and benefit; the three dimensions of science; ethics and animal use in science and control of animal use in science.

Animal Ethics Infolink
Website created by NSW Agriculture's Animal Welfare Unit and the Animal Research Review Panel. Provides information about the operation of the Animal Research Act 1985, Animal Research Regulation 1995 and The Code of Practice in New South Wales. Also provides general information about legislation in other states and countries and links to other sites that provide general information promoting the humane care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

Animal research ethical issues
The Animal Welfare Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises the NHMRC on all matters pertaining to the conduct and ethics of animal experimentation, and reviews and revises the Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Experimental Purposes, and other NHMRC documents related to animal welfare. This web site features documents, guidelines, policies and articles on these subject areas.

RSPCA Australia - Policies and position papers
A collection of policies and position papers published by RSPCA Australia. Topics covered include: companion animals, farm animals, live export, humane killing, research and experimentation, and wildlife.

Animal ethics
This is a Monash University web site that covers many aspects of animal ethics and information on the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and its role. There is also information on reporting welfare concerns and a useful section on resources including web links, courses and recommended reading

Animal Welfare Organisations and Government Bodies

Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)
The council was established in 1987 in response to concerns in both the wider and the scientific communities about the use of animals in research and teaching. It aims to provide leadership in developing community consensus on ethical, social and scientific issues relating to the use of animals in research and teaching. It promotes: excellence in the care of animals in research and teaching, responsible scientific use of animals and informed discussion and debate within the community regarding these matters. The fact sheets provided on this site provide detailed descriptions of the care and handling of a wide variety of laboratory and exotic species.

NSW Agriculture Animal Welfare
Part of the NSW Agriculture website. Publishes legislation, fact sheets, guidelines, pamphlets and policy documents.

Animal Welfare Group - New Zealand
This site provides information about the Animal Welfare Group (within The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) and its responsibilities in ensuring the well being of animals, covered in the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (available on this site). Links are provided to other Animal Welfare Organisations and Committees in New Zealand and around the world.

The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)
UFAW a scientific and technical animal welfare organisation that uses scientific knowledge and established expertise to improve the welfare of animals as pets, in zoos, laboratories, on farms and in the wild. UFAW funds research, holds symposia, gives advice to Government and others and produces publications on animal welfare.

Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME)
FRAME promotes a moderate, yet determined, approach to the question of the use of laboratory animals, by encouraging a realistic consideration of the ethical and scientific issues involved and the adoption of the A Three R's strategy: replacement, reduction and refinement.

RSPCA - Australia
The site of the federal body representing the eight State and Territory RSPCAs in Australia. This site accesses current policy statements and positions on a wide range of animal welfare topics, outlines current campaigns by the Society and links to some regional offices.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Collection of resources published by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Includes sections on using animals for scientific purposes, codes of practice, laws and regulations, and updates.

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
The WSPA is an international organisation whose vision is "a world in which the welfare of animals is understood and respected by everyone, and protected by effective legislation". Its website includes an education section that includes a syllabus for veterinary students, a brief outline of animal welfare concepts, and a resource library that features reports on animals in entertainment, commercial use of wildlife, and farm animals.

Animal Welfare Information Center
This centre is operated by the US Department of Agriculture. It publishes considerable amount of information on a range of topics related to the care and welfare of companion and production animals as well as animals that are used in research. It also has links to numerous other related sites.

Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the world's largest animal protection organisation. It's web site features extensive resources on welfare issues concerning animal research, pets, farm animals, and wildlife.

The American Humane Association (AHA)
AHA is an established, mainstream animal welfare organization. The mission of the AHA, as a network of individuals and organizations, is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively, and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society. The AHA provides a rescue service and produces a variety of publications.

Animal Rights Committee
The Animal Rights Committee of the New South Wales Law Society examines and responds to legal issues associated with animals and their welfare. This web site outlines their projects and provides links to their submissions, animal law legislation and a comprehensive list of Australian and international sites for animal welfare issues.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
PETA is dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals and operates under the principle that "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment".

Animal Welfare Institute
The Animal Welfare Institute is a charitable organization based in Washington, D. C. It's overall aim is to reduce the suffering inflicted by humans on animals. Among the current concerns are the promotion of non-animal testing methods, animal transport conditions, and the reform of farm production systems for livestock. The site includes links to online publications and resources.

Alternatives to the use of Animals in Research and Teaching

InterNICHE: International Network for Humane Education
InterNICHE is "an open and diverse network comprising students, teachers and animal campaigners. The network focuses on animal use and alternatives within biological science, medical and veterinary medical education". Its website publishes details of alternatives, policy statements, and regular news updates.

Educational Use of Nonhuman Animals in the United States
This survey was conducted in Veterinary Medical Schools in the United States for the 1998 - 1999 School Year. The main objective of this survey was to provide a comprehensive and comparative survey of the educational use of animals in veterinary medical education, provide suggestions for available alternatives to replace the harmful use of animals in veterinary medical education and to highlight areas that need development of solutions to the harmful use of animals.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)
CAAT is being developed as a global resource for the development of replacement, reduction and refinement alternatives for research and testing. A major project is the collaborative development of Altweb with a number of other partners, a site for information regarding the alternatives to the use of animals.

The Netherlands Centre Alternatives to Animal Use
The Centre based in the Netherlands, coordinates research and disseminates information on alternatives to animal experiments. This site lists relevant events, publishes a newsletter that includes news and new internet sites and has several databases for alternatives. It also lists a very large number of links to a range of internet sites including: alternatives to animal testing, databases on alternatives, animal ethics and rights, animal care and welfare.

University of California - Center for Animal Alternatives
The mission of the centre is "to gather and disseminate information concerning animal alternatives, not only to improve the well-being and quality of life of research animals wherever possible, but also to optimize their contribution to education and research".

Environmental Enrichment

Refinement and Environmental Enrichment for All Laboratory Animals
Environmental enrichment is the provision of stimuli which promote the expression of species-appropriate behavioural and mental activities in an under-stimulating environment. It also offers information on programs designed to train animals to cooperate during procedures. This site is an annotated bibliographic database for finding information about experimental enrichment for non-primates and primates. It was compiled by Viktor Reinhardt and Annie Reinhardt, of the Animal Welfare Institute, Washington. The database, searchable by keyword, also contains an increasing number of full-text resources. The site also publishes an Annotated Bibliography on Refinement and Environmental Enrichment for Primates kept in Laboratories

Environmental Enrichment Information Resources for Laboratory Animals: 1965 - 1995: Birds, Cats, Dogs,
Farm Animals, Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents
This website is published by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UK) in an effort to encourage the implementation of environmental enrichment programs in laboratory animal husbandry. It provides brief articles on the subject of environmental enrichment for various species as well as providing extensive bibliographies.

Environmental Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates Resource Guide (January 1992 - February 1999)
Compiled by the Animal Welfare Information Center of the US Department of Agriculture. The AWIS also publishes Environmental Enrichment Information Resources for Nonhuman Primates, 1987-1992

Environmental Enrichment for Confinement Pigs
This paper was presented at the 1988 Annual Meeting of the Livestock Conservation Institute in Kentucky. It discusses the value of stimulation on the temperament of pigs raised in confinement. Environmental enrichment devices such as toys and music have the potential also of improving meat quality.

Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Animals
Chapter by K. L. Stewart and K. Bayne from Laboratory Animal Medicine and Management, edited by J. D. Reuter and M. A. Suckow published by International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY (2004). Includes sections on regulatory compliance, program development and management, common environmental enrichment strategies, program assessment and monitoring.

The Shape of Enrichment
The Shape of Enrichment is a non profit organisation that aims to further animal enrichment efforts worldwide. Its website provides details of its activities and conferences and also provides free samples of articles published in its quarterly journal The Shape of Enrichment

Production Animal Welfare

Livestock Export Review (The Keniry report) 2003
Full text of a report to the Minsiter for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. "The Review examined: the adequacy of welfare model codes of practice; the adequacy of regulatory arrangements; the types of livestock suitable for export; supervision of voyages to ensure accurate reporting; and the factors that contributed to excess mortalities on the MV Cormo Express"

Independent Reference Group reports on live animal exports
The Independent Reference Group was asked to provide the Government and industry with advice on ways to improve the live animal exports trade’s animal welfare record. The full text of its reports are published by AFFA.

Animal Welfare Institute: Farm animals
AWI is a US based "non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans". This section on farm animals publishes a large collection of articles on farm animal issues, standards, factory farms, alternative systems, and news updates.

Alternative Farming - an annotated database
Database compiled by Annie Reinhardt of the Animal Welfare Institute, Washington. It provides "published and online information for farmers, consumers, students, and educators who are concerned about factory farming and are seeking for humane alternatives" and includes information on various sustainable systems of livestock production.

Alternatives to Intensive Confinement Systems for Farm Animals: An Annotated Bibliography
Bibliography compiled by the Animal Welfare Institute and provides "practical published information for farmers, consumers, students, and educators who are concerned about factory farming and are seeking for alternatives". Many of the references are to online articles that are freely available.

Free Farmed
The Free-Farmed Certificate Program (FFCP) is a U.S. based, voluntary, fee-based service available to producers, processors and transporters of animals raised for food. The goal of the program is to provide independent verification that these businesses are providing humane conditions for the animals in their care. The program is administered by Farm Animal Services (FAS), an affiliate of the American Humane Association.

Livestock Behaviour, Design of Facilities and Humane Slaughter
Compiled by Dr. Grandin, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. This site features links to conference proceedings and many full text articles by the author.

The Science and Ethics Behind Animal Well-Being Assessment
Published by the US Department of Agriculture. Full text of proceedings of a conference held on May 28, 2003 in Washington D.C. as part of the Future Trends in Animal Agriculture project.

Laboratory Animal Welfare

Caring for Animals in Research and Education (CARE)
Developed by the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, Australia, and supported by a grant from the Committee for the Advancement of University Teaching, CARE is " designed for students using animals or animal tissue in research projects. The course consists of separate modules which focus on specific problems or questions. These have been designed for you to learn about the ethical and social issues involved and to understand the important link between these issues and practical considerations to ensure high standards of animal welfare".

Animal Welfare Institute: Laboratory animals
AWI is a US based "non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans". This section on lab animals features a collection of articles, databases, and bibliographies.

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Electronic version of the book published by Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission on Life Sciences National Research Council National Academy Press, Washington D.C. 1996.

Laboratory Animal Welfare
The Center for Laboratory Animal Welfare was formed in 1992. It operates with support from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). A well designed and comprehensive site offering statistics and information about numbers and species, pain and distress, euthanasia, animals in research, and US legislation. Many links to sites for alternatives, genetic engineering, institutional animal care, animals in product testing.

Office of Laboratory Animal Welafare
The OLAW is part of the National Institutes of Health (US). Its website publishes news updates, policies and laws, guidelines, and other information on laboratory animal welfare.

Methods and Welfare Considerations in Behavioral Research with Animals
A Report of a National Institutes of Health (US) workshop. The report contains chapters on manipulation of access to food or fluids; experimental enclosures/physical restraint; pharmacological studies; aversive stimuli; social variables; ethological approaches; and teaching with animals.

Resources to Reduce or Replace the use of Animals in Research and Teaching

NORINA
The Norwegian Reference Centre for Laboratory Animal Science and Alternatives provides NORINA, which is a database of audiovisual alternatives for use in the Biological Sciences. The site also contains TextBase, a collection of information on current textbooks within the field of laboratory animal science which provides a searchable database of this information free of charge on the Internet. The site is mirrored at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

Altweb: Alternatives to Animal Testing on the Web
"This site is a collaborative effort funded by the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation, the Doerenkamp - Zbinden Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, the Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare at the National Institutes of Health, and the Procter & Gamble Company. It is being developed by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with the Altweb Project Team. Its mission is to " serve as a gateway to alternatives news, information, and resources on the Internet and beyond".

Computer-aided Learning in Veterinary Education (CLIVE)
CLIVE is a consortium of the 6 United Kingdom veterinary schools. The aim of the program is to make computer assisted learning a feature of veterinary undergraduate education in all subjects of the veterinary course. Some material may be downloaded from the site, some is produced on CD-ROM and can be ordered. Institutions can join as Associate Members to receive CLIVE products for an initial plus annual joining fee.

Information on Alternatives Databases
This database was built as an initiative following the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) Workshop on Alternatives Databases in Neubiberg, Munich, September 1996 and the 2nd World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, Utrecht, October 1996.

Web based movies
for use as alternatives for the use of animals in teaching produced by Davidson College Department of Biology in the United States. The movies are played using MDL Chime, Macromedia Flash or Apple Quicktime.

Virtual Pig Dissection.
Published by the Fort Kent Community High School, Maine, USA, and designed by Steve L. Michaud the site provides a graphical overview for the study of fetal pig anatomy. The virtual dissection contains representations of stages of a dissection, including detailed views of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and reproductive systems.

Anatomically Correct The Online Cat Dissection.
Made by the "ThinkQuest Team 15401" this U.S. site provides detailed images of the dissection of a cat by a veterinarian and has been produced to assist the teaching and learning of anatomy.

Some Animal Rights Resources

University of Sydney Library Catalogue
Search the catalogue for the subject heading animal rights

Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)
The mission statement of AVAR states that it is working toward the acquisition of rights for all nonhuman animals by educating the public and the veterinary profession about a variety of issues concerning nonhuman animal use. AVAR has a number of policies, programs and projects. This site also has links to other animal rights organisations.

Animal Liberation (New South Wales Branch)
Animal Liberation is an animal rights charity founded in 1976 by Christine Townend, based on the philosophies of Professor Peter Singer, as set out in his book Animal Liberation. The site links to other Australian sites and pages.

World Animal Net Directory
The World Animal Net Directory incorporates the World Guide to Animal Rights and claims to be "the world's largest database of animal protection societies, with over 10,000 listings and links to more than 3,000 Web Sites."

Research databases and indexes

Some recommended research databases and indexes for this area of study are: AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, BIOSIS Previews, APAIS, PAIS, ERIC and Web of Science. Information on animal welfare can be found in a broad range of science and social science research databases.