Animal Emotions

Do animals think and feel?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D.

Compassionate Conservation, Sentience, and Personhood

Compassionate conservation is based on the ethical position that actions to protect biodiversity should be guided by compassion rather than by killing.

Does the Presence of a Companion Animal Help Young Mothers?

A new and unique study shows, among other things, that first-time mothers who live with a companion animal perceive motherhood as less difficult than first-time mothers who don't. 

Animal Emotions, Animal Sentience, and Why They Matter

Revisiting different aspects of animal emotions and animal sentience shows we know a lot, yet we still don't use much of this knowledge to protect them from intentional harms.

"Don't Let Your Dog Put His Nose There, You Can't Trace It"

I heard this about a butt-sniffing dog along with, "You don't know if he's got COVID and you can't trace where he's been." Here are some updated community-focused rules of thumb.

Dogs' "Teenage Brains" Evolved for Good Reasons

Dogs, like many other animals, go through a tumultuous period called "wildhood," which has survived domestication, on the way to adolescence.

The Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope

This unique collection of 25 firsthand stories by primatologists, veterinarians, primate sanctuary founders and directors, and others charts a path for compassionate change.

A Historical Perspective on Studies of Animal Emotions

An interview with Dr. Anne Rose about her book "In the Hearts of the Beasts: How American Behavioral Scientists Rediscovered the Emotions of Animals."

The Great Healing: 5 Compassions That Can Save the World

An interview with filmmaker and activist Stephen Erickson about compassion for animals, self, the land, community, and democracy.

The Grass Library Makes Us Think About Who Animals Truly Are

Australian poet David Brooks' beautifully written new book "chips away at the self-serving denials and falsehoods with which we think and write animals out of, rather than into, being."

Jane Goodall Explains the Importance of Living in Harmony

In this interview, Dr. Goodall discusses why it's essential for humans and nonhumans to coexist peacefully and that every individual can make positive contributions every day.

The World Becomes What We Teach

Zoe Weil, co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, discusses humane education, environmental preservation, animal protection, and solutionaries.

Pollution Affects the Personality and Cognition of Fishes

A review shows how neurotoxic contaminants running amok beneath the surface strongly affect the behavior, cognitive performance, and fitness of fishes.

Wisdom and Life Lessons from a Humble Jellyfish

An interview with Rani Shah about her fact-based and insightful book "Wisdom from a Humble Jellyfish," in which she tells us about "harnessing the rhythms of nature for self-care."

Changing Behavior of India's Street Dogs During Lockdown

India's government declared feeding "streeties" to be an essential service. Here is a unique on-site view of their behavior and the people who care for them.

Some Truths About the Fascinating Lives of Wasps

Wasps should be valued, not vilified. Only about one-third sting, they pollinate plants and perform many ecological services, and their venom likely has therapeutic value.

One Health Stresses Working Together to Heal a Broken Planet

Despite our decimating countless animals and our magnificent planet during the "rage of inhumanity," we must work communally—hand-in-hand and hand-in-paw—to fix the messes.

Assuming Chickens Suffer Less Than Pigs Is Idle Speciesism

An essay called "From Shepherd to Advocate" smacks of groundless claims.

A Last Goodbye: A Kid's Book About Animals, Dying, and Death

An interview with Elin Kelsey about her book on how animals care for one another at the end of life—which also opens up avenues for kids to talk about dying and death.

Easy Ways to Connect Kids to Animals, People, and Nature

Many youngsters enjoy being outdoors. When they can't be, here are some simple hands-on tips for how they can give thanks and express their wide-ranging hopes and dreams.

Rats Share Food More Generously When They Smell Hunger

A clever new study shows that lab rats can use odor alone—a cue that's more honest than visual or auditory signals—to preferentially give food to hungry rather than well-fed rats.

From Addiction, Healing, and the Olympics to Animal Activism

An interview on the inspirational journey of the multitalented Dotsie Bausch—former runway model suffering from anorexia to world-class cyclist and advocate for plant-based diets.

Puppy Mills, Pandemics, Disaster Preparedness, and Decency

The horrific and expanding COVID-19 situation clearly shows why these non-essential businesses—secret breeding factories—should be closed down.

What Pet Owners and Vets Need to Know About COVID-19

A comprehensive publication from Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences answers basic questions about pets and the new COVID-19.

The Cat-Human Relationship and Factors That Affect It

A new book by cat expert Sarah Brown explores how cats fit into our society, tapping into how they’ve evolved over time and how their place in our culture has changed.

The State of the Animals: The Good, Bad, Ugly, and Hope

During this universe-changing pandemic, Jane Goodall asks us to work together to end the nightmare. Even with bad things happening, animals and nature can help us stay positive.

It's Time to Move on From Nonhuman Animal Models

Many people are wondering about the use of animal models, the pandemic coronavirus, and where future research should go. Some recent essays and a TEDx talk cover relevant ground.

An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood

An interview with Gregory Tague about his new book in which he offers a novel argument that apes are moral individuals because they engage in a land ethic as ecosystem engineers.

"I'm a Mess About My Dogs and Coronavirus—How Will They Do?"

The COVID-19 pandemic has gotten many people thinking about how dogs might fare without us. All in all, it's likely that numerous post-human dogs would do just fine.

Dogs in Gilded Cages: Surviving, but Not Thriving

Living with a dog is a 100 percent commitment to their well-being. Love, food, and safety must be supplemented with enrichment, and it's best to keep in mind it's not all about you.

Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

An interview with Zazie Todd, author of a new, highly readable, comprehensive, data-based, practical, and compassionate book about giving dogs the best lives possible.

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