Cats can find animal shelters very stressful, especially when they first arrive. Shelters therefore need good ways to check how cats are coping and whether their welfare is being protected. Many existing tools rely on people judging a cat’s behaviour, which can be subjective. They may also miss some signs of how a cat is feeling, including both positive and negative emotional states.

Research Summary: Preparing Therapy Dogs for Animal-Assisted Services: Governance, Welfare-Centred Preparation, and a Lifecycle Research Agenda Across Selected European and United. By SCAS Communications Officer,
Judith Billingham.

Kris Hill from the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) shares some feline-centric highlights from the International Society of Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference in Paris

Research Summary: (Self-)caring with Companion Animals – How Animals Shape Rest and Relaxation. By SCAS Communications Volunteer, Dr. Lori Hoy.

Guiding better care for senior dogs: how the Ageing Canine Toolkit helps owners navigate senior dog health with their veterinary professionals

By Carri Westgarth and Sarah Williams