Killing possums by youngsters has generated local and global condemnation. The science, psychology, and hype behind New Zealand's war on wildlife are highly questionable.
Encouraging youngsters to kill other animals can have devastating and enduring effects. A phenomenon called "the link" should concern New Zealanders as they wage war on wildlife.
Two things people misunderstand about animals is that each individual’s feelings are important to them and "smarter" animals don't suffer more than "less intelligent" animals.
Common Murres negotiate parental duties and coordinate efforts by preening. If one parent isn't feeling well they tell the other so they can switch duties to help their children.
New Zealand schools need formal courses in humane education rather encouraging killing animals for money. Some want to make possum hunts mandatory so kids learn to respect them.
Animals have rich inner lives, but their treatment doesn't reflect this. In an interview about, and excerpt from, The Animals' Agenda, Jessica Pierce and I discuss why this is so.
A new book by Andrew Root called The Grace of Dogs: A Boy, a Black Lab, and a Father's Search for the Canine Soul ponders the deep meaning and mystery of dog-human relationships.
An essay by Dr. Karen London called "Should we call these canine behaviors calming signals?" about the effects of various actions cautions how much we still have to learn.
A 45-second video of a young elephant named Hope being saved by two adults could change people's views about the emotional lives of other animals. Watch them keep Hope alive.
The Pope's encyclical letter on care for our common home has many very important ideas that are closely related to conservation psychology, anthrozoology, and the role of science.
Swiss animal protection laws set an admirable standard. Guinea pigs and goldfish must have companions, dogs must be exercised, and clipping their ears and tails is forbidden.
An essay by Juli Fraga called "When a Pet Dies, Helping Children Through the ‘Worst Day of Their Lives’" is a must read for everyone who has kids and a companion animal.
Linda Michaels' force-free training, adapted from Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, stresses gentle care and treatment, rewards, and choice. Being nice to your dog is key.
Some so-called "mafia monkeys" living near an Indonesian temple have learned to steal and then sell back stolen goods to their owners. Not all monkeys run this ransom racket.
A photo of a sad orphaned gorilla and a comforting human raises numerous questions about what other animals think and feel and the emotions shared in human-animal relationships.
Playing for the hell of it, simply because it's fun, is very important to do. Nonhuman animals do it with great vigor and joy, and so too should human animals. It's good for all.
A detailed study of five packs of unowned free-ranging mixed-breed dogs in different areas of Italy shows they form age-graded linear dominance hierarchies with little fighting.
A new study shows humans can classify dog growls and women do it better than men. Dogs honestly communicate their size and emotions in serious contests but less so during play.
A new book called "Even Vegans Die" is a valuable guide for animal advocates. It empowers people to make the best decisions regarding their own health and advocacy for animals.
I saw a unique interaction between an adult prairie dog and road-killed youngster. She pulled the corpse off the road, touched it lightly, and vocalized, perhaps saying good-bye.
Renowned Northern Arizona University researcher Dr. Con Slobodchikoff argues we can talk with these linguistic rodents and learn a lot about the evolution of language from them.
Making decisions about animal suffering in a wide variety of venues isn't easy, and doing the "right" thing can be extremely trying. Veterinarians need to be trained in ethics.
An international meeting about zoo reform brought together an eclectic group of people. Yet, the question if animals should be held captive was dismissed by some as irrelevant.
A video called Downward Dog and an essay about stress show when we say, "It's a dog's life" to suggest things are wonderful, this isn't necessarily so for numerous companion dogs.
We really don't know what dogs are talking about when they over-mark or counter-mark as it becomes a game of peeing to their heart's content. Surely, they can and do piss us off.
It's highly likely that Szenja, a polar bear at SeaWorld, died of a heartache after her best friend of 20 years, Snowflake, was shipped to the Pittsburgh Zoo to make more bears.
Ralph Nader's visionary fable, Animal Envy, was motivated by his mostly unknown but obviously longstanding concern for animals. The core message: Animals and humans need one other.
![Image of Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare 2 Volume Set: Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, 2nd Edition [2 volumes]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zcHg3qzAL._SL75_.jpg "Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare 2 Volume Set: Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, 2nd Edition [2 volumes]")
