| Autor: |
van Gerwen MAAM; Centre for Sustainable Animal Stewardship (CenSAS), Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands., Nieuwland J; Centre for Sustainable Animal Stewardship (CenSAS), Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands., van Lith HA; Section Laboratory Animal Science/3Rs-Centre, Unit Animals in Science and Society, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.; Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands., Meijboom FLB; Centre for Sustainable Animal Stewardship (CenSAS), Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.; Ethics Institute, Faculty of Humanities, Utrecht University, Janskerkhof 13, 3512 BL Utrecht, The Netherlands. |
| Abstrakt: |
When non-human animals are labeled as 'pests', their moral status and welfare seem relatively unimportant. In a multi-stakeholder project, we develop an assessment frame for a more responsible rodent management that includes animal welfare. An online survey among 129 Dutch pest controllers was carried out in order to find out more about pest controllers' attitudes about animal welfare. Respondents indicate to consider animal welfare in their job. They see differences in the welfare impact of different rodent control methods. A dilemma may occur when methods with a high impact, such as rodenticides, are ofttimes used in practice. Respondents also indicate that in different real-life scenarios (the hospital kitchen vs. the private backyard), a different weight may be attributed to the importance of animal welfare. Almost half of the respondents encounter difficulties when weighing animals against human interests. The problems are mainly related to clients who are not willing to invest sufficient money in preventive methods, where respondents do believe in. Some differences were found between respondents depending on membership of a professional association for pest controllers. The results of this study are relevant input for focus groups with pest controllers and their clients and for the development of the aforementioned assessment frame. |
