Media Advisory -- 7th Annual Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Competition and Educational Seminar
3/10/08
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
What: Michigan State University (MSU) is hosting the seventh annual Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Competition and Educational Seminar.
Students must be able to holistically evaluate various facilities, handling methods and management practices to determine how well a given situation meets the biological needs of an animal species on the basis of various behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. Though assessing various aspects of animal welfare can be objective and quantifiable, judgments between poor and good welfare practices are still rooted in ethics. This exercise allows students to develop the critical thinking and evaluation skills needed to gather and apply unbiased information to make subjective but educated assessments of animal welfare quality. Students participating in this year’s event will assess animal welfare scenarios involving dogs, gestating sows, aquaculture and livestock auctions.
Who: Any undergraduate university can assemble a team for competition. This year a veterinary division will be introduced.
When: March 15-16, 2008
Where: MSU, 1279 Anthony Hall
Time & Topics:
Saturday, March 15 (open to the public) - Educational seminar
9:15 a.m. – Dr. Raymond Anthony, University of Alaska, “Exploring Central Ethical Issues in the Aquaculture Industry”
9:45 a.m. – Dr. Ed Pajor, Purdue University, “Issues Related to Sow Housing”
10:15 a.m. – Pros and Cons of Equine Slaughter (pending)
11:15 a.m. – “Assessing Animal Welfare in Companion Animals” (pending)
12:45 p.m. – Animal Welfare Judging Competition, Team Assessment
Sunday, March 16 - Animal Welfare Oral Reasons Competition
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Team competitions
2 p.m. – Official results and awards reception
For media assistance, contact Sara Long at 517-432-1555, ext. 170.
Contacts: Dr. Janice Swanson, MSU Director of Animal Welfare, 517-432-4134 or
swans173@msu.edu; Dr. Camie Heleski, 517-355-8427 or heleski@msu.edu.
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