In Part 2 (catch up on Part 1 here) of our conversation with Mark Farnworth of Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, we learn what the scientific research can tell us about the success of methods to control free roaming (owned and unowned) cat populations – and what it can’t.
We talk about Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) versus lethal control, where does responsibility lie and can an effective population management compromise be reached without all the facts?
Mark Farnworth, from the Department of Natural Sciences at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, is curious about cats.
Cats as pets and cats as pests. Are cats a threat to biodiversity or are they possible caretakers of biodiversity?
This interview was fascinating, and the topic complex, so we are releasing it in two parts.
In this – part one – we introduce Mark’s research examining the issues, impact and attitudes toward free roaming (both owned and unowned) cat populations in New Zealand.
Dr Kersti Seksel, registered specialist in veterinary behaviour medicine and behavioural science major in human psychology, explains the complicated and sensitive topic of animal hoarding.
This issue is difficult to research and complex to resolve, but help is available.
Find out more about animal hoarding in our interview with Kersti.
Are we guilty of anthropomorphism in dogs? As dog owners it’s very easy to humanise our pets.
Julie Hecht, MSc, is a researcher and science writer fascinated not just by animal behaviour and welfare, but how we think about animals and the consequences of those thoughts.
Take anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to animals or objects) as a key example.
In this episode of Human Animal Science we explore what actually happens when we think that dog is guilty; or that cat is grumpy.
We discuss why we anthropomorphise and how it impacts on the animals.
Podcast
What is anthropomorphism in dogs?
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities.
In dogs, it can manifest as attributing emotions such as love, loyalty, and happiness to dogs, or expecting dogs to understand and communicate with us in ways that they do not. At least not in the same ways we do.
Do dogs know the difference between humans and dogs?
Dogs are intelligent creatures who are capable of complex social interaction, which means they’re able to pick up on our cues and learn from us.
However, studies show dogs actually see us as a member of their pack, not a separate species.
This means dogs do not necessarily know the difference between humans and dogs, but are capable of forming attachments to both.
Greg Berns, MD, PhD from Emory University in Atlanta USA, specialises in the use of brain imaging technologies to understand human – and now, canine – motivation and decision-making.
Greg works as a neuroscientist working in the field of canine science. This allows him to use neuroscience techniques to assess how the brain of a dog makes decisions or reacts to stimulus.
In this episode, he speaks to Tim and Mia about his team’s research, named “The Dog Project”, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity in dogs.
Or to you and me, how dogs think.
Podcast
Book: How Dogs Love Us
How Dogs Love Us: A neuroscientist and his adopted dog decode the canine brain
How Dogs Love Us, Gregory Berns (Hardcover)
For the last 2 years, Greg has pursued his dream of using MRI to decode what dogs really think.
Partnering with a dog trainer, Berns’ group has trained a team of volunteer dogs to hold still in an MRI machine.
Greg explains the sound of an MRI machine to be like a jackhammer, and how the dogs had to be trained to wear ear muffs to protect them from the noise.
How Dogs Love Us, Gregory Burns (Paperback)
The data the team are collecting is revealing startling insights about how a dogs brains work and how they think. They are finding proof dogs really do love us!
In the process, they have broken new ground in elevating the rights of dogs to human-equivalents.
