There has been increasing public concern about farm animal welfare regarding transportation, slaughter, and some management practices, especially in systems where animals are confined for most of their existence. Animal welfare organizations (groups) have traditionally focused on forwarding their agendas through legislation, although more recent attempts have focused on convincing large firms that buy agricultural commodities to require particular production process standards to be met. The strategic interactions of players in the egg industry are modeled using a game theory approach. Two scenarios were explored: a principal-agent contract model between food firms and farmers, and a model where two firms are targeted by animal activists. The former model was empirically analyzed while the latter model was theoretically examined. Results for the principal-agent contract model indicate that, in general, the decision by the farmer of whether to invest in a free-range production system is dependent on the probability of being caught cheating. Whether contracts will be accepted or rejected by suppliers is dependent on the premium for free-range eggs. Finally, as the amount that can be lost if caught breaching the contract decreases, investment is motivated only with a higher probability of being caught. Theoretical analysis where competition did not matter and animal welfare was not a determinant of demand shows that animal activists must convince food firms that there will be a significant change in revenue with compliance as opposed to rejecting the contract or negotiating a compromise in order to attain their objectives of increased animal welfare.

In this thesis, I analyze some of the most important contributions concerning the inclusion of animals in the moral and political sphere. Moving from these positions, I suggest that a meaningful consideration of animals' sentience demands a profound, radical political theory which considers animals as moral patients endowed with specific capabilities whose actualization needs to be allowed and/or promoted. Such theory would take human-animal different types of relationships into account to decide what kind of ethical and political responsibilities humans have towards animals. It would be also based on the assumption that animals' sentience is the necessary and sufficient feature for assigning moral status. I start from the consideration that in the history of political philosophy, most theorists have excluded animals from the realm of justice. I then propose an examination of utilitarianism, capabilities approach, and relational-based theories of animal rights (in particular the works by Kymlicka and Donaldson, and Clare Palmer) and borrow essential elements from each of these approaches to build my theory. I claim that a political theory which attaches high importance to individual capabilities, as well as to the various types of relationships we have with animals, is the most appropriate to tackle the puzzle of human responsibilities to animals.

The issues raised in this thesis concern the adverse effects of EU's wildlife trade regulations, mainly the unequal treatment of captive and wild-born endangered animals. The nature of these regulations is analyzed from an animal law perspective. The purpose of the analysis is to determine whether the regulations are anthropocentric and, if so, what issues arise from it. Previous research has studied the legal personhood of animals in relation to animal welfare. This thesis continues that discussion by examining legal animal rights as a potential solution to the issues of wildlife trade. The analysis is pragmatic and employs a non-formalistic view of law. Consequentially, it uses a doctrinal and legal philosophical approach, meaning that sources outside of law are integral to the discussion. The results of the analysis show that EU’s wildlife trade regulations are anthropocentric and that this has led to severe issues regarding the welfare of endangered animals. In addition, the practical enforcement of the regulations has proven defective. Legal rights for animals seem to provide a viable solution to these issues, yet their practical implementation is complicated. The reasons for this are primarily financial and opinion-based. Therefore, a step-by-step approach, starting with limited fundamental rights and resulting in full legal personhood for animals, is recommended for this approach to be successful.

The aim of this study was to investigate what farmers and animal owners view is on the animal welfare inspections done by the County Administrative Board. The study was delimitated to Västernorrlands county and to official animal welfare controls. The study was conducted using an inquiry and a telephone interview questionnaire. The inquiry was sent to 100 farmers and animal owners. The reply rate was 40 % and the result confirms similar observations as in by several other studies within Europe. Farmers and animal owners thought that high competence of the inspectors was very important. Some wished that the inspectors would have some practical experience to have a better understanding and knowledge. They also wanted that the inspectors would see the big picture instead of focusing on the standard, like the standard for measurement. Overall the main result from this study shows that the farmers and animal owners are pleased with the animal welfare inspections of the County Administrative Board and consider them important. The result also showed that if the farmer or animal owner have had a follow-up control their rating was lower in the inquiry.

Orientador: Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi / Banca: Luis Carlos Marchini / Banca: Nabor Veiga / Resumo: Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar o efeito da própolis sobre o peso e parâmetros comportamentais de saguis Callithrix sp mantidos em cativeiro e submetidos ao estresse. Foram utilizados 26 animais da espécie Callithrix jacchus (sagüi-de-tufo-branco) e Callithrix penicillata (sagüi-de-tufo-preto), com idade entre 8 e 18 meses, de ambos os sexos, os quais foram divididos em três tratamentos: T1- dieta de rotina; T2- dieta de rotina acrescida de 2% de própolis bruta e T3- dieta de rotina acrescida de 5% de própolis bruta da alimentação em relação ao consumo diário estimado por indivíduo. Os animais foram alimentados durante sete dias com ou sem o acréscimo de própolis (momento 1). Após este período, os animais continuaram recebendo o mesmo esquema alimentar e foram submetidos ao estresse intruso x residente, durante sete dias (momento 2), totalizando 14 dias. Em ambos os momentos foram avaliados os parâmetros comportamentais (brincadeiras social e lúdica, vocalização, catação e deslocamento) e a manutenção do peso dos animais. De acordo com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que a adição da própolis na dieta de sagüis mantidos em cativeiro promoveu maior ganho de peso nos animais, embora não tenha apresentado efeito na redução do estresse, avaliado através de parâmetros comportamentais. Sugere-se, no entanto, a necessidade de novas pesquisas no sentido de estudar outras concentrações de própolis e maiores tempos de observação dos animais. / Abstract : The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of propolis on the weight and behavioral parameters of Callithrix sp marmosets kept in captivity and subjected to stress. Twenty-six Callithrix jacchus (white-tuffed-ear marmoset) and Callithrix penicillata (black-tuffed ear marmoset), aged between 8 and 18 months, males and females, were divided into three treatment groups: T1- routine diet; T2- routine diet added of 2% crude propolis and T3- routine diet added of 5% crude propolis from daily diet, in relation to estimated daily consumption per individual. Animals were fed during seven days with or without the addition of propolis (moment 1). After this period, they continued receiving the same diet scheme and were subjected to intrusive x resident stress for seven days (moment 2), in 14 days of experiment. In both moments, behavioral parameters (social and playful activities, vocalization, catching and moving) and weight were evaluated. According to the obtained results, the addition of propolis to the diet of marmosets kept in captivity leads to greater weight gain in the animals although it had no effect on stress reduction, which was evaluated through behavioral parameters. Thus, there is the need for additional studies using other propolis concentrations and longer observation times. / Mestre

Sociologists have described the characteristics of individuals who become involved in social movements, their motivations for becoming involved, and the methods used to recruit participants. One group that has been underrepresented in the existing literature is feral cat caretakers. The purpose of this study is to examine the traits of this group, information which would be valuable to groups dedicated to educating the public about the plight of feral cats, groups which offer information and resources to caretakers, individuals wishing to network with other feral cat caretakers, and policy makers in need of knowing what options exist to deal with feral cats. A small sample of fifteen participants was interviewed either face-to-face or by email. Questions were open-ended to facilitate individual discussion and expression. The sample was drawn from personal acquaintances, recruitment letters posted in spay/neuter clinics, email blasts to members of feral cat networks, and referrals from participants. Results demonstrated that while the demographics of the participants were similar to others involved in social movements, there were some differences in their recruitment methods and involvement in organized groups. Feral cat caretakers demonstrated a very strong sense of personal efficacy and self motivation.

Legal Protection of Animals, Focusing on Livestock and Furbearers The diploma thesis titled "Legal Protection of Animals, Focusing on Livestock and Furbearers" provides a comprehensive overview of current framework of the legal protection of animals in the Czech Republic. The thesis is divided into seven chapters and several sub-chapters. The initial chapters present information on the historical tendencies and philosophical bases of animal protection, as well as on the development of the perceiving of animals as subjects of law, which has over several centuries formed into our contemporary idea of an animal, its protection and legal standing. Crossing over from international and European legal sources, the thesis gradually shifts its focus on Czech legislature which has undergone marked changes over the last year, namely through the amendment 246/1992 Sb. aimed at eliminating animal abuse. Constituting a key aspect of the work, specific terminology is discussed in chapter 3. Terms such as animal or abuse are clarified consulting the law. As the title makes evident, the pivotal chapters of the thesis provide a more detailed delineation of the legal regulations concerning livestock and furbearers. Individual sub- chapters then discuss the particularities of their breeding, welfare, transportation...

My diploma thesis deals with the legislation of veterinary care. In doing so, I tried to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of all the institutes and essentials that relate to it. Many uninformed people could mistakenly assume that this topic covers solely animal healthcare. Although it is also an integral part of the topic we do not find so much material here; the concept of veterinary work goes beyond that. Within 5 chapters we will learn not only historical contexts of development, but also international conventions or organizations. We will compare the Czech Leagl norms against the Slovak ones. An integral part of the thesis is a brief overview of sources of EU law, both primary and secondary, as well as their historical development. "Welfare", or ensuring animal welfare, is a rather new concept, but a highly important one. Thanks to animal welfare, we have begun to pay attention to animal health both physically and mentally. It was therefore obvious that this topic was briefly addressed, especially its development and implementation. The concept of "an animal" related to this topic has not been not neglected, especially in how the view of the animal has changed in recent years by amending the Civil Code. Since the topic of the diploma thesis is to concern mainly legal regulations, I...

Orientador: Silvia Mitiko Nishida / Resumo: O trabalho teve por objetivos realizar um inventário de comportamentos alterados em Amazona aestiva (papagaio) cativos e avaliar os efeitos da técnica de enriquecimento ambiental (EA) sobre a redução de comportamentos alterados. Foram utilizados 17 papagaios e a técnica de EA aplicada foi em relação a disponibilidade de poleiros, que foi dobrada passando de 28,3 metros lineares para 58,0 metros. Utilizou-se o método de observação do animal focal e ad libutum para elaboração do etograma comportamental. Foram comparados os efeitos do EA antes e depois do tratamento, comparando-se as respectivas frequências de ocorrência dos comportamentos alterados. A análise dos resultados demonstrou uma redução significativa para três tipos de comportamentos alterados: rotação da cabeça (p=0.0155), sacudir a cabeça (p=0.0025) e morder a grade (p=0.0106). Os parâmetros morfométricos, peso corporal, escore corporal e medidas do bico não afetaram a ocorrência dos nove tipos de comportamentos alterados observados. A análise do etograma revelou individualidade de cada animal na expressão das estereotipias motoras de movimento e de postura. A técnica de EA de baixo custo não aboliu a expressão de todas as estereotipias, mas reduziu em frequência e promoveu aumento do bem-estar dos animais e revelou a importância física dos poleiros para papagaios mantidos em cativeiro. / Abstract: The aim of this study was to carry out an inventory of altered behaviors in captive parrots (Turquoise-fronted Parrot) and to evaluate the effects of the environmental enrichment technique (EE) on the reduction of altered behaviors. Seventeen adult parrots were used, and the EE technique applied was in relation to the availability of perches, which was doubled from 28.3 linear meters to 58.0 meters. To elaborate the behavioral ethogram, the observation method of the focal animal and ad libutum were used. The effects of EE were compared before and after treatment, comparing the respective frequencies of occurrence of altered behaviors.The analysis of the results showed a significant reduction of three types of altered behaviors: head rotation (p = 0.0155), shaking the head (p = 0.0025) and biting the grid (p = 0.0106). The morphometric parameters, body weight, body score and beak measurements did not affect the occurrence of the nine types of altered behavior observed. The analysis of the ethogram revealed individuality of each animal in the expression of motor stereotypes of movement and posture. The lowcost EE technique did not abolish the expression of all stereotypes, but it reduced in frequency and promoted an increase in animal welfare and revealed the physical importance of perches for parrots kept in captivity. / Mestre

Play is a behavior mainly observed in young individuals that can differ greatly between species in both function and appearance. Presence of play indicates positive experiences in animals, making play a useful assessment tool for animal welfare. Commercial hatcheries expose chicks to several stressors that can affect both behavior and welfare. Unfortunately, our understanding of play behavior in chickens is still limited as only a few studies have been conducted.Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the ontogeny of various play behaviors in modern laying hens and to investigate how stress affects play behavior in chicks. A total of 80 chicks were used whereas 40 were hatched at a hatchery and 40 were hatched under controlled conditions. The chicks were tested in groups of four in enriched test arenas twice a week during five weeks. Each test lasted 30 minutes and novel objects were placed inside the arena after 10 and 20 minutes. Behaviors were noted while analyzing videos from the experiment using one–zero sampling and later divided into the categories of solitary, social, and total play. A linear mixed model with repeated measures was used to investigate how treatment, age, and the interaction treatment*age affect play behavior. Chicks played more during certain ages and all forms of play showed a similar change with age over both treatments. The amount of play did not differ significantly between treatments but there was a numerical (non-significant) tendency for hatchery chicks to play more, which may indicate compensatory play.