We’re getting ready to launch year five of HRC’s Animal Tracker annual survey of the public opinions and behavior of adults in the U.S. This year’s survey, which will field in March, addresses opinions toward various social movements, who people trust to provide information about animal welfare, opinions about the adequacy of animal protection laws, attitudes toward the importance of animal welfare in various situations, and the frequency with which people discuss animal protection issues. We asked the exact same questions in 2008 and 2009 and will be able to analyze changes over time. When the results are available in April, we’ll also refresh the Animal Tracker chart tool so that the results will be easy to access and interpret.
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The Animal Tracker exists to provide advocates with a long-term perspective of attitudes and behavior among U.S. adults that relate to both animal issues and the animal protection movement. The full survey includes 15 questions in total. Because opinions don’t change much on an annual basis, and to keep costs down, we ask five questions each year (see below for the questions that will be asked in the next wave). The project is on a consistent schedule to provide updated results for each question every four years. After the completion of last year’s survey, all questions have been asked at least twice; this year we will ask these questions for the third time.
HRC manages the Animal Tracker and analyzes the results, but the study is a truly collaborative project. The annual surveys are generously sponsored by a diverse consortium of animal protection groups, and more sponsors are always welcome. The cost of sponsorship for year 5 will be $500-$750; the more sponsors we have, the lower the cost per organization. Sponsors are given in-depth “crosstab” data, allowed to use the results publicly, and are able to add questions at a discounted price.
To become a sponsor, please contact us.
The deadline for becoming a sponsor is January 31, 2012. The deadline to add your own questions is February 15.
Of course, individual donations are accepted at any time and are truly appreciated to help offset HRC’s investment of time to manage the survey, analyze the results, and distribute our analysis to advocates. We also input the data into our new chart tool, launched in 2010, so that advocates can more easily understand and compare the results.
Please donate to the Animal Tracker today!
When donating, select “Animal Tracker Study” under the program area section, and thank you for the support!
Finally, below are the questions that we will ask in this year’s survey – it should be interesting to see how people’s responses have changed from three years ago and we look forward to sharing the results with you.
Animal Tracker – 2012 Survey Questions
What is your opinion of each of the following social causes or political movements?
Randomized list; Scale: Favorable; Unfavorable; No opinion; Do not know
- Animal protection
- Environmentalism
- Homeless advocacy
- Workers’ rights
- Gay/lesbian rights
- Immigration reform
- Tax reform and relief
- Pro life (anti-abortion)
How much credibility do you give to each of the following sources when it comes to information about animal welfare?
Randomized list; Scale: Significant; Moderate; Very little; None; Do not know
- Academics and scholars
- Animal protection groups
- Businesses and corporations
- Farmers and ranchers
- Government (federal or state)
- Local or national news media
- Scientists and researchers
- Veterinarians
In the past three months, how often have you talked about or heard someone talking about animal protection, including animal rights and/or animal welfare? Please include any personal discussions, items heard on the news, issues read about in magazines, etc.
- Frequently (i.e., daily or almost daily)
- Occasionally (i.e., weekly or monthly)
- Rarely (i.e., once or twice)
- Not at all
How important to you is the welfare and protection of animals in each of the following situations?
Randomized list; Scale: Very important; Somewhat important; Not very important; Not at all important; Do not know
- Animals in circuses and rodeos
- Animals in laboratories
- Animals in pounds or shelters
- Animals in zoos and aquariums
- Animals kept as companions or pets
- Animals raised for food
- Endangered species
- Horses and dogs used in racing
- Wildlife on public lands
Do you think that laws protecting animals from inhumane treatment are adequate or inadequate for each of the following kinds of animals?
Randomized list; Scale: Adequate; Not adequate; Do not know
- Animals in circuses and rodeos
- Animals in laboratories
- Animals in pounds or shelters
- Animals in zoos and aquariums
- Animals kept as companions or pets
- Animals raised for food
- Endangered species
- Horses and dogs used in racing
- Wildlife on public lands
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