Animal Welfare in the 21st Century: Are we meeting their needs?

Our interactions with, and treatment of, animals has changed and evolved, over time.
Animals intersect with and provide value to our daily lives in myriad ways. From being hunted as prey to being farmed as food, and even as working animals, performing in sport and entertainment, being much-loved companions, associated with tourism or recreation, studied for Science or being valued for their role in biodiversity education, and valued for biodiversity purposes.
So, how are we reciprocating, and are we meeting their welfare needs?
Our expert panel unpicked the value of science, research and collaboration, and discuss where welfare standards should land.
Presenters
Professor Andrew Fisher
Director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre and Chair of Cattle & Sheep Production Medicine in the Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences
Andrew’s research includes enhancing the welfare of dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep through improved management practices.  He has also worked on animal transport and welfare and poultry welfare, and has provided policy advice on the development of animal welfare standards in Australia and internationally.
Dr Alison S. Clarke
Animal Welfare Specialist, Zoos Victoria
[DVM Vet Med 2015]
Alison is a veterinarian with a background in zoo and wildlife medicine, who currently coordinates animal welfare research with Zoos Victoria, and supports continual development of animal welfare policy, strategy and procedures. She holds Membership qualifications in Animal Welfare with the ANZCVS, and is undertaking her MVSc with Massey University on euthanasia decision making. She is passionate about encouraging humane and ethical care of animals by fostering collaborative efforts, and has worked locally and abroad (particularly in Asia and New Zealand).
Dr Mia Cobb
Research Fellow, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences
Mia researches the welfare of animals, and is currently interested in how the intersections of animal welfare science, human psychology, science communication, and emerging technologies can help animals and people lead happier lives. Mia worked in animal shelter and working dog facilities for over a decade before shifting focus to research and advance the welfare of Australia’s dogs.
Dr Lauren Hemsworth
Senior Research Fellow in Animal Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences
Lauren’s research focuses on the effects of human-animal interactions and the human-animal relationship on animal welfare (the human-animal relationship); the effects of the social and physical environment on the behaviour and welfare of farm animals (housing and husbandry practices); animal welfare assessment and the development of welfare assessment tools (animal welfare methodology); and community attitudes towards animal welfare and the impact of public perceptions on the sustainability of animal industries (community attitudes), across a range of animal use settings (farm, companion and zoo settings).
Dr Peta Hitchens
Senior Research Fellow in Equine Veterinary Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences
Peta brings her extensive epidemiological expertise and racing industry experience to the Group. Her research involves using evidence-based findings to inform changes to policy and practice that improve the health, safety and welfare of both racehorses and the jockeys that ride them. Although horse racing is her primary focus, she is also involved in research covering working equine welfare in developing countries, and more broadly has an interest in the welfare of all animals participating in sports and entertainment.