Routledge Handbook of Animal Welfare

This handbook presents a much-needed and comprehensive exploration of the rapidly growing fields of animal welfare and law.

In recent years there has been increasing attention paid to our complex, multifaceted relationships with other animals, and in particular, the depth and breadth of various societal uses of animals. This has led to a reconsideration of their moral and social status, which has sometimes challenged the interests of those who use animals. In such a contested domain, sound evidence and reasoning become particularly important. Through firm commitment to such principles, this book explores the biological foundations for the moral consideration of animals and for evolving conceptualisations of animal welfare. It reviews in detail the welfare concerns associated with numerous forms of animal use. The inclusion of key recent developments such as climate change, pandemics, and antimicrobial resistance, ensures this text is among the most current in its field. The ethical implications of the various uses of animals by society are considered, and chapters provide important recommendations for reforms of practice, law, or policy. The status of animal law internationally, and in major world regions, is reviewed. Finally, the book considers human behavioural change and strategies for improving stakeholder communication and education.

The handbook is essential reading for students and scholars of animal welfare, animal law and animal ethics everywhere, and for policy-makers and other professionals working in the animal welfare sector.

Andrew Knight (MANZCVS, DipECAWBM (AWSEL), DipACAW, PhD, FRCVS, PFHEA) is a Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics, and Founding Director of the Centre for Animal Welfare, at the University of Winchester, UK. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Environment and Science at Griffith University, Australia. Prior to working in academia, he practised veterinary medicine for nearly a decade.

Clive JC Phillips (BSc, MA, PhD) was Australia’s first Professor of Animal Welfare, at the University of Queensland, Australia, and foundation director of the Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics. He previously lectured at the University of Cambridge and the University of Wales, UK. His books include Principles of Cattle Production (third edition, 2018), The Animal Trade (2015), and The Welfare of Animals: The Silent Majority (2008). He has authored about four hundred scientific journal articles. He chairs the Queensland and Western Australia Governments’ Animal Welfare Boards, is editor-in-chief of the journal Animals, edits an Animal Welfare Series, and is Director of the Humane Society International.

Paula Sparks (LLB (Hons), BL) is a Visiting Professor at the University of Winchester, UK, where she teaches animal law. She practised as a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London before leaving the bar in 2018 to pursue a full time role with the UK Centre of Animal Law (A-LAW), a charity whose vision is a world where animals are fully protected by law. She frequently lectures and writes about animal-related law and policy.