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Animals
Special Issues
Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies
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Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 28966

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Clive J. C. Phillips

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
2. Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Kent St., Bentley 6102, Australia
Interests: animal welfare; animal ethics; captive animal management; heavy metals in animals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Andrea Pezzuolo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Interests: agricultural and livestock engineering; rural buildings; agro-environmental sustainability; byproducts; biomass and renewable energies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is open for submissions of papers presented at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Animals (IECA 2021), from 29 November—13 December 2021, which focuses on the Sustainability of Animal Production Systems.

Global demand for animal products is expected to double by 2050, mainly due to improvement in the worldwide standard of living. Whilst attempting to fulfil this increasing demand, it is strategic to promote the adoption of innovative and sustainable practices in order to maintain a balance between productivity, human and animal security, and environmental protection. Despite the growing demand, animal production is under threat as never before, and its sustainability is being challenged—in particular, its impact on our climate, on our land resources, on our ethical standards, and on our health.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish research articles dedicated to investigating the Efficiency and Sustainability of Animal Production Systems. Special (but not exclusive) focus is put on the following topics:

  • Climate change and effects on the sustainability of animal systems;
  • Sustainability of animal use and demand for animal products;
  • Sustainable animal welfare, ethics, policies and politics;
  • Sustainable animal health;
  • Sustainable animal feeding;
  • Smart technology and precision livestock farming.

Symposium participants, as well as all researchers working in the field, are cordially invited to contribute original research papers or reviews to this Special Issue of Animals.

Please note that a 30% discount will be applied to the article processing charges of the submissions to this special issue.

Prof. Dr. Clive J. C. Phillips
Dr. Andrea Pezzuolo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • climate-smart practices
  • precision livestock farming
  • animal health
  • animal welfare, ethics, policies and politics
  • animal feeding
  • animal products
  • livestock systems and management

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Australian Generation Z and the Nexus between Climate Change and Alternative Proteins
by Diana Bogueva and Dora Marinova
Animals 2022, 12(19), 2512; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192512 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 9682
Abstract
Scientific evidence shows that current food systems are impacting the planet in ways that are unsustainable and detrimental to human health. Various technological advances have been made in response, one of them being the development of new food products known as novel alternative [...] Read more.
Scientific evidence shows that current food systems are impacting the planet in ways that are unsustainable and detrimental to human health. Various technological advances have been made in response, one of them being the development of new food products known as novel alternative proteins, including cultured meat, plant-based meat analogues, algae- and insect-based foods. The future of these alternative proteins to a large extent depends on consumer acceptance from young people. This study investigates the attitudes of Australia’s adult Generation Z (Gen Z), born between 1995 and 2003, regarding climate change and more sustainable food choices. Gen Z is a diverse, important and trendsetting group known for organising globally on causes related to climate, social justice and health. The study of Australia’s Gen Z is based on a 2021 cross-national survey in the main Australian cities. It shows that, although 86% of the participants perceive climate change as anthropogenic, only 38% believe that livestock-based foods are contributing significantly to global warming and environmental deterioration. The paper discusses the implications for Gen Z and novel alternative proteins given that the majority of Australia’s young people has low awareness of the environmental impacts of food systems and dietary choices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies)
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16 pages, 3518 KiB  
Article
Technology for Improving Street Dog Welfare and Capturing Data in Digital Format during Street Dog Sterilisation Programmes
by Amit Chaudhari, George Brill, Indira Chakravarti, Tim Drees, Shrikant Verma, Nidhi Avinash, Abhinandan Kumar Jha, Sitaram Langain, Narendra Bhatt, Sanjit Kumar, Satyanarayan Choudhary, Parvinder Singh, Subhash Chandra, Anju Murali and Katherine Polak
Animals 2022, 12(15), 2000; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12152000 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4194
Abstract
Street dogs survive on food handouts provided by individuals, or the wider community yet typically receive limited to no veterinary care. They can also carry a variety of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, posing a significant risk to human and dog population health. [...] Read more.
Street dogs survive on food handouts provided by individuals, or the wider community yet typically receive limited to no veterinary care. They can also carry a variety of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, posing a significant risk to human and dog population health. Dog sterilisation is one of the most humane and effective methods available to control street dog populations. Dog sterilisation programmes, particularly those operating at a large-scale, often face a variety of challenges including limited resources, staffing, and less-than-ideal facilities. Recordkeeping is often a challenge as well, which can complicate the return of a sterilised dog to their location of capture. Street dogs are territorial, and the return of a dog to an incorrect location is fraught with various welfare issues, as well as an increased risk of postoperative complications, including death. Humane Society International developed a mobile phone-based application called ‘HSIApps’ drawing on years of field experience and data collection in street dog location recording, as well as clinical and postoperative treatment. HSIApps facilitates the return of dogs back to their exact captured location, which ensures dog welfare, and generates reports of a variety of useful data variables to maximise the efficacy and reliability of sterilisation programmes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies)
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9 pages, 437 KiB  
Article
The Potential Impact of a Dog Training Program on the Animal Adoptions in an Italian Shelter
by Danila d’Angelo, Luigi Sacchettino, Angelo Quaranta, Michele Visone, Luigi Avallone, Claudia Gatta and Francesco Napolitano
Animals 2022, 12(14), 1759; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141759 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4016
Abstract
One of the main concerns of the human–dog relationship is today associated with the quality life inside the kennels, which are very often regarded as animal dump where dogs are exiled, representing a burden on society. In the present study we sought to [...] Read more.
One of the main concerns of the human–dog relationship is today associated with the quality life inside the kennels, which are very often regarded as animal dump where dogs are exiled, representing a burden on society. In the present study we sought to investigate the importance of performing an appropriate behavioral program on the adoption chances within an Italian shelter, near Naples (Ottaviano). In this respect, we enrolled 555 adopted dogs of different ages, who followed a tailored-4-month lasting training program between 2018 and 2020. Once entered there, they were carefully examined by the veterinary behaviorist, and directed towards a suited training program, to improve living conditions. We documented a higher number of both adult and senior dogs who left the kennel and were adopted, compared to the age-matched untrained animals (n = 479), housed in the same kennel from 2015 to 2017. Taken together, the present data highlight an important role for training in improving the natural attitudes of the companion dogs, thus pointing towards a better human–animal bond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies)
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Review

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16 pages, 1083 KiB  
Review
‘Can They Take the Heat?’—The Egyptian Climate and Its Effects on Livestock
by Amira A. Goma and Clive J. C. Phillips
Animals 2022, 12(15), 1937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151937 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1955
Abstract
Egypt already has conditions in summer that cause heat stress for livestock, and predicted climate changes suggest that these will be exacerbated over the course of this century. As well, extreme climatic events make the mitigation of climate change difficult but important to [...] Read more.
Egypt already has conditions in summer that cause heat stress for livestock, and predicted climate changes suggest that these will be exacerbated over the course of this century. As well, extreme climatic events make the mitigation of climate change difficult but important to understand. Apart from neonates, farm animals have upper critical temperatures in the region of 25–30 °C, whereas temperatures in summer regularly exceed 40 °C for prolonged periods. The temperature and humidity data were collected half hourly to calculate Temperature Humidity Indices and demonstrate that Egyptian livestock at two centers of livestock production in the country would experience heat stress in summer for extended periods of each day. The impact of rising temperatures on livestock in Egypt was reviewed, where extensive resources to mitigate the impact are not often available. It was found that, although there are some prospects to mitigate some heat stress, by using agroforestry systems of production for example, these are unlikely to have a major impact, and reduced food security may ensue over the course of this century. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies)
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Other

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13 pages, 296 KiB  
Commentary
Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future
by Temple Grandin
Animals 2022, 12(16), 2092; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162092 - 16 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7196
Abstract
Many people believe that animal agriculture should be phased out and replaced with vegetarian substitutes. The livestock industry has also been attacked because it uses vast amounts of land. People forget that grazing cattle or sheep can be raised on land that is [...] Read more.
Many people believe that animal agriculture should be phased out and replaced with vegetarian substitutes. The livestock industry has also been attacked because it uses vast amounts of land. People forget that grazing cattle or sheep can be raised on land that is either too arid or too rough for raising crops. At least 20% of the habitable land on Earth is not suitable for crops. Rotational grazing systems can be used to improve both soil health and vegetation diversity on arid land. Grazing livestock are also being successfully used to graze cover crops on prime farmland. Soil health is improved when grazing on a cover crop is rotated with conventional cash crops, such as corn or soybeans. It also reduces the need for buying fertilizer. Grazing animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, or bison, should be used as part of a sustainable system that will improve the land, help sequester carbon, and reduce animal welfare issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Sustainability and Animals: Welfare, Policies and Technologies)
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