Data and Statistics
HRC's Animal Tracker Survey
Submitted by Che on Jul 08, 2008 Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Diet and Nutrition | Entertainment Animals | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Wildlife and ExoticsThe Humane Research Council is very pleased to announce the availability of results from our latest collaborative research project, the "Animal Tracker." The first in a series of annual surveys of attitudes and behavior among U.S. adults, the new report provides a baseline assessment of key perceptions and actions taken on behalf of animals. The full report is available only to registered HumaneSpot.org users, but here’s a taste of what the results show...
The Animal Tracker (Wave 1 - June 2008)
Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Diet and Nutrition | Entertainment Animals | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Research Tools and Methods | Vegetarianism and Veganism | Wildlife and Exotics
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This report summarizes results from Wave 1 of the Humane Research Council's "Animal Tracker" survey of U.S. adults regarding their attitudes and behavior toward animals. This inaugural survey of 16 core questions shows strong support for the protection of all animals. The strength of that support varies by situation and species, however, and actual behavior does not always reflect the favorable attitudes identified.
Figures Don't Lie But Liars Figure
Submitted on Jul 06, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | Research Tools and Methods | Wildlife and Exotics
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The interpretation of statistics may be misleading if not analyzed using comprehensive and standardized data. This article from the Coalition to Abolish Sport Hunting examines a handful of specific claims made in the fishing, hunting, and wildlife arenas.
Weekly U.S. Beef Export Sales Surge
Submitted on Jul 05, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals
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During the week of June 13-19, 2008, U.S. beef export sales exceeded those for the same week in 2003 by 12%, reaching 14,700 metric tons (32.4 million pounds). 2003 was the last year that the U.S. was free of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow" disease).
The Power of Tracking Studies
Submitted by Che on Jul 01, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection | Research Tools and MethodsA survey of public opinion can be very informative, but it covers only a snapshot in time. Without the ability to compare and contrast results over years, even decades, it’s difficult to know if the results were influenced by external factors (e.g., a major news item). With tracking studies, however, the results are more like a video than a snapshot. Tracking polls provide consistency, comparability, and context for otherwise isolated data – and that means more meaningful results for advocates.
Trying to Herd a Cat Stat
Submitted on Jul 01, 2008 Companion Animals
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Can a single female cat and her offspring really produce 420,000 cats over just seven years? This article examines the validity and origin of this commonly cited statistic, concluding that this statistic is likely an urban myth. A lower estimate is provided and substantiated by research by biologist Michael Stoskopf, who documented six kittens per year with a 75% kitten mortality.
Why Population Growth is Animal Enemy #1
Submitted by Che on Jun 23, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and VeganismThe so-called "developing" world is growing quickly and in most cases adopting Western lifestyles and diets as they do so. Feeding a global population of more than 9.3 billion (by 2050) will therefore mean the consumption of billions more animals. With references to Thomas Malthus and a recent study by David and Marcia Pimentel, we take a closer look at this population problem.
Evaluation for Normal People (audio/podcast)
Submitted on Jun 20, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | General Animal Protection | Research Tools and Methods
by Stanford Social Innovation Review
Alana Conner, senior editor of the Stanford Social Innovation Review, describes the trials and tribulations of evaluating program effectiveness. An experimental social psychologist by training, she illustrates how many evaluation practices in the nonprofit sector may actually mislead funders and organizations. Although most programs would love to implement "Cadillac" evaluations, they can only afford "second-hand Yugos." Following Dr. Conner's talk, Rick Aubry, executive director of Rubicon Programs Inc., describes how his organization secured funding for a state-of-the-art evaluation system. [Abstract excerpted from website]
What the World Eats (in One Week)
Submitted by Che on Jun 17, 2008 Diet and Nutrition | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Vegetarianism and VeganismMy last post on in vitro meat production argued that the new technology will render animal farming obsolete, but I also admitted that the change will take a while. In the meantime, overall meat consumption will rise dramatically in spite of the immense gap between the world's wealthy (and well-fed) and its poor (and malnourished). Here we take a closer look at the diets of nine families in nine very different countries, through the lens of photo-journalist Peter Menzel.
The Road to Helping Animals is Paved with Good Intentions (AV Magazine Article)
Submitted by Che on Jun 07, 2008 Advocacy Strategies | Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Farmed Animals | General Animal Protection | Wildlife and Exotics[This article will appear in the summer 2008 edition of AV Magazine] People love animals. And while people mostly love their companion animals and fellow primates, they also indicate strong support for the welfare of farmed animals, wildlife, and research animals. Most also think we should have strict laws enforcing protection for all types of animals. In an abstract sense, a strong majority of people support not just reducing animal suffering, but even eliminating it entirely. This is the good news about the public's attitude toward animals... [Continued]