2005
2005
Scientific Seminar
2005 Cruelty to animals: a human problem
Tuesday 22 February 2005, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Preventing cruelty to animals is the founding mission of the RSPCA movement, but despite nearly 200 years of dedicated work, cruelty persists with disheartening regularity.
Our understanding of the causes of cruelty to animals has improved, but there is much more to be done to address these causes and to adapt our legislation to protect animals from abuse and neglect as we now define them. And as we examine the triggers involved, it becomes increasingly apparent that cruelty to animals cannot be quarantined from the broader issue of violence in our homes and in society generally.
The Seminar tackled these important questions through two main themes:
- preventing cruelty to animals through early intervention, education and changing legislation; and
- examining the connection between cruelty towards animals and current or future violence towards humans.
It also discussed how we can improve the links between agencies dealing with cruelty to animals and other human problems.
Proceedings:
Previous Scientific Seminars
2004 Welfare underwater - issues with aquatic animals.
2003 Solutions for achieving humane vertebrate pest control.
2002 Equine welfare: balancing tradition and science.
2001 Pets or pests? The future of companion animal ownership.
2000 Animal welfare in the new millennium: towards a national approach.
1999 Scientific evidence and improvements in animal welfare: are we ignoring the obvious?
