
Companion animals

Companion animals are growing in numbers not only in the West but also in many Asian countries (e.g., China). In some respects companion animals receive special treatment (as compared with other animals used by us). In other respects, however, they suffer as a direct result of the way we use them. Some companion animals, for instance, develop health or behavioural problems caused by social and physical factors in their environment.
Our awareness of the importance of companion animals in many people's lives is growing; in fact such animals are frequently used for therapeutic purposes. At the same time, many companion animals are abandoned, given up to shelters, or euthanized. Companion animals thus seem to be viewed both as individuals to be respected in their own right and as disposable sources of enrichment for humans.
Below you will find a variety of publications about companion animal ethics and welfare. They are also sorted within the categories listed in the left menu bar.
You can also search among all publications on the site here:


A transnational study on veterinarians’ recommendations concerning radiotherapy in dogs and cats with cancer

Compete or Cooperate with ‘Dr. Google’? Small Animal Veterinarians’ Attitudes towards Clients’ Use of Internet Resources

Shelter use by horses during summer in relation to weather conditions and horsefly (Tabanidae) prevalence

Movement Patterns of Roaming Companion Cats in Denmark — A Study Based on GPS Tracking

Pampered pets or poor bastards? The welfare of dogs kept as companion animals

How Serious Are Health-Related Welfare Problems in Unowned Unsocialised Domestic Cats?

Insect-repelling behaviour in horses in relation to insect prevalence and access to shelters

Regulating Companion Dog Welfare: A Comparative Study of Legal Frameworks in Western Countries
