OVERVIEW
About the Program
The objective of UBC Animal Welfare Program is to improve the lives of animals through research, education, and public outreach.
The Program is led by David Fraser, Marina von Keyserlingk, and Dan Weary and guided by an Advisory Committee consisting of members of the humane movement, veterinarians, animal producer representatives, and representatives of collaborating institutions and chaired by veterinarian Dr. Rob Ashburner.
The University of British Columbia established the Animal Welfare Program in 1997 to improve the welfare and humane care of animals in agriculture, research, companionship and other areas, and to help build knowledge-based consensus on the broader ethical questions that arise over human use of animals. The Program addresses these issues through active efforts in teaching, research and public outreach.
In its first decade, the Animal Welfare Program has become one of the largest and most respected animal welfare science centres globally and its research has led to improvements in the lives of animals in British Columbia and around the world.
From Skepticism to New Directions:
A message from the faculty at the Animal Welfare Program
When the UBC Animal Welfare Program was first created, more than a few people were skeptical. Some animal protectionists pictured university scientists as scalpel-wielding villains. Some farmers imagined a group of activists picketing their farms. After 10 years, we hope the Program has convinced the skeptics that research, education and public outreach can make a tremendous contribution to improving the lives of animals. For that, we have to thank the many organizations that have supported the Program, both financially and in other ways. Working with the BC SPCA and Vancouver Animal Control, we conducted research on better housing and management of cats and dogs in shelters. The support of the dairy industry has allowed us to do farm surveys and experimental studies on causes of injury, improved housing, and early detection of disease in cattle. Through the W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, we launched studies on the welfare problems of exotic pets, the scope for reducing animal use in drug testing, and the effectiveness of humane philanthropy. The BC Veterinary Medical Association and many individual veterinarians have provided faithful support and important links with the animal care professionals who implement and communicate our research.
But needs are changing. Although Canada has made great strides in the humane management of dogs and cats, there are tens of millions of sick and malnourished strays in countries like India and Brazil. The majority of the world's meat production now occurs in developing and transition countries where there are unique animal welfare problems and cultural challenges to solving them. And, as the world's human population reaches unprecedented heights, we face serious animal welfare problems from habitat loss, climate change and human-wildlife conflict. In response to these issues, the Animal Welfare Program must develop in new directions. Continued support from our partners and donors will be crucial in meeting these future demands.
David Fraser, Marina von Keyserlingk, & Dan Weary
Animal Welfare Program Faculty
August 16, 2007
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Facilities and Resources
The Program is housed in converted laboratory space that has been turned into a series of offices surrounding a meeting space where Program members gather for lunch and project discussions. Much of our research is conducted at the state-of-the-art UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre at Agassiz in the Fraser Valley. Program members also conduct cooperative research at a variety of other locations including animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, commercial farms, and other research facilities.
Colleagues who take part in the research and teaching include many members of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and the W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, the Director of Animal Care, colleagues in several other Faculties and institutions, and staff of sponsoring organizations.
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