International Research

This report systematically studied the behavior of a solitary dolphin off the southeast coast of England in 2007. Accompanied by humans for 18.4% of the 100 hours of observation, the dolphin changed her behavior during human presence, at times exhibiting behaviors possibly hazardous to people in the water and to the dolphin herself.

Researchers observed consumer reactions to pig and poultry production systems in this study designed to determine how to encourage consumers to buy more British food products.

Gaps in knowledge about zoo animals prevent improving animal welfare. Society tends to value environmental variables like space and companionship over other factors that may affect animal welfare. In addition, focus on mammals hinders efforts to improve the welfare of other species. By closing gaps of knowledge concerning zoo animals, society may improve the state of zoo animal welfare.

According to this report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world would need to double its supply of meat by the year 2050 to meet growing demand; the global farmed animal sector currently produces 228 million metric tons (mmt) of meat.

This study assessed the effect of information about organic production on consumer preferences and willingness to pay, finding that the "perceived liking" of organic beef was higher than that for conventional beef.

"The Oxford Vegetarian Study" is a long-term analysis comparing vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets based on various health measurements including cholesterol, mortality, and other factors. This research found "the health of vegetarians in this study is generally good and compares favorably with that of the nonvegetarian control subjects."

Since the mid-20th century, the public has opposed seal hunts. However, the Canadian government defends the practice by arguing that seal pelts are an important source of income for hunters, that killing methods are humane, and that these hunts are sustainable. This paper evaluates the economic argument for ending the Canadian commercial seal hunt.

In late 2008, the Dutch Vegetarian Association studied the environmental consequences of substituting vegetable proteins for animal proteins in the Dutch diet. By looking at both the product and menu levels of consumer diets, the environmental burdens of both types of products were analyzed and researchers concluded that ecological impacts of both animal and vegetable protein sources can vary significantly.

According to a study conducted by Cranfield University on behalf of the World Wildlife Federation, "a switch from beef and milk to highly refined livestock product analogues such as tofu could actually increase the quantity of arable land needed to supply the UK."

A study of college students from New Providence, The Bahamas, identifies a link between domestic violence (at both household and personal levels) and pet care in Afro-Caribbean communities. Where pets were intentionally harmed and "not well cared for," researchers also found evidence of other violence or deviant behavior.