Author Archives: SCAS
SCAS Volunteer Communications Officer: Web Master
What does your cat need? Excellent resources from International Cat Care
The experts at iCatCare have produced a really helpful set of resources to help meet feline needs. The attractive posters are free to download and suitable for posting in veterinary centres, animal shelters and other contexts. Covering a range of issues for owners wishing to optimise their cat’s quality of life, they include great advice on encouraging your cat to eat and drink at home, the five pillars of a healthy feline environment, signs of pain, and cat friendly resources to support toileting, feeding, play, travel, scent communication, and safety & comfort.
Keep Cats Safe & Happy During Spooky Season
Kris Hill from the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) discusses how to keep cats feeling safe and secure during the spooky season.
Boo!
Continue readingNotice of the 2023 SCAS Annual General Meeting
The Society for Companion Animal Studies’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place online on Tuesday 21st November 2023 at 7pm (UK time). All SCAS members are welcome to attend; a link and documents will be sent out ahead of the event.
If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact us.
The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) Annual Conference: Sunday 17 September 2023
This year’s conference, ‘Are pets really good for us? The role of pets in mental and physical health‘, will focus on the evidence-based research demonstrating how human-animal interactions support our physical and mental health.
Book a place now! Reduced rates for SCAS members and students. Recording will be available to all registered participants.
Celebrating ‘Dog Day’ 26 August 2023
26 August is International Dog Day when all dogs are celebrated.
The dog-human bond goes back more than 30,000 years, with dogs being the first animal to undergo domestication. Today, dogs are one of the most popular companion animals.

Big Issue article on John Chadwick Pet Policy
The Big Issue just published a wonderful article by Dee Bonnet who, with the support of SCAS, has worked with Maidstone Borough Council to develop the John Chadwick Pet Policy. The tragic loss of John Chadwick really hits home why #Petinhousing is such an important issue and remains one of SCAS’s priorities. John’s friend Dee Bonnet channelled her grief into ensuring other vulnerable individuals never experienced the heart-breaking dilemma of choosing between their beloved companions and a roof over their head. Maidstone Borough Council developed the #TheJohnChadwickPetPolicy and we hope other councils will soon adopt similar policies. Dee Bonnet set up a Change.org petition that you can sign to show your support. We hope other councils will soon adopt similar policies.
Read the article here:https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/john-chadwick-took-his-own-life-when-he-was-separated-from-his-pets-his-friend-is-campaigning-for-change/
Third African Conference on Human-animal Interactions 1-3 August: Building Compassion – the role of HAI in fostering empathy towards humans and animals
Report from SCAS Chair Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod.
SCAS member Dr Sunday Agbonika, whom I am proud to mentor, is a bond-centred veterinarian working in Nigeria. Sunday organises virtual conferences on AAI, HAI, animal welfare and behaviour. His work is reaching hundreds of colleagues throughout the world, especially in regions where understanding of HAI is less well developed. His AAI programme, DogaLov, helps children with developmental difficulties, including autism.
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