Ohio State stresses animal welfare education

OHIO - Ohio State University is striving to become the premier university in the nation on animal welfare education.

The Department of Animal Sciences has teamed up with the University of Melbourne in Australia to incorporate animal welfare teaching modules into course curricula and establish training programs on the proper care and handling of farm and companion animals.

“We have the opportunity to gain expertise in the animal welfare arena by teaming up with one of the strongest centers of excellence in the world of animal welfare as it relates to education,” says James Kinder, chair of OSU’s Department of Animal Sciences.

A recent Ohio State University survey of 1,800 Ohioans found that 92 percent agreed or strongly agreed that it is important that farm animals are well cared for, and 85 percent said that the quality of life for farm animals is important even when they are used for meat.

Additionally, the survey revealed that 81 percent agreed that “the well-being of farm animals is just as important as the well-being of pets,” and 75 percent agreed, “farm animals should be protected from feeling physical pain.”

“Stewardship encompasses animal welfare, production efficiency, environmental concern and social awareness,” said Kinder. “The public and the food industry itself has become more aware of the responsibility of being a good steward of our food supply, and they demand that those in animal production be knowledgeable about those issues.”

Source: Drovers
calendar icon 28 September 2005
clock icon 1 minute read
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