Animal Welfare Centre

Animal Welfare Centre Animal Welfare Centre at the University of Edinburgh

Integrated within the R(D)SVS is the Animal Welfare Centre (incorporating the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education), which is a venture with ambitious objectives committed to improving the health and welfare of animals through education, training, research and promoting the important role of veterinarians in protecting animal welfare, as well as supporting capacity building in animal welfare within various parts of the world. Since its official opening in May 2011, the Centre has established itself as an internationally recognised hub of expertise in Animal Welfare Education, forming effective collaborative working relationships with a number of high profile animal welfare NGOs, reputable universities and professional bodies. Currently the Centre works directly within the RDSVS, with UG and PG students, as well as with academic and NGO partners in Africa, Asia and South America and in collaboration with organisations and Universities in Europe and North America. As an animal welfare centre within a high profile university, we are in a unique position to act as world leaders in the development and delivery of accessible, credible and transformational education to those who will be able to influence and make positive changes to improve animal welfare globally.

Congratulations to Jim Rushing, an MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour alumni, who has achieved certification as an Associate ...
16/09/2026

Congratulations to Jim Rushing, an MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour alumni, who has achieved certification as an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist (ACAAB) with the Animal Behaviour Society in North America. This means that he has been assessed as meeting the standards of education, experience and ethics required of a professional applied animal behaviorist as set forth by the Society. He said the following, 'My fantastic CAB experience was the catalyst that gave me the confidence to pursue this path. Huge thanks to everyone on the CAB team!' The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

15/09/2026

Assessment approach aims to improve animal welfare in low- and middle-income countries.

Out now! Tales & Tails, Animal Welfare Centre monthly update (Sept). Publications, free webinar, funding calls, and much...
15/09/2026

Out now! Tales & Tails, Animal Welfare Centre monthly update (Sept). Publications, free webinar, funding calls, and much more.

Animal Welfare Centre updates. Information about conferences, publications, visits, collaborations, and much more.

New publication from the Centre: Lam, S., Jessiman, L. J., & Naydani, C. J. (2026). Understanding Singaporean dog owners...
14/09/2026

New publication from the Centre: Lam, S., Jessiman, L. J., & Naydani, C. J. (2026). Understanding Singaporean dog owners’ caregiving behaviour towards enhancing dog welfare using the COM-B framework. Animal Welfare, 35, e54.

Understanding Singaporean dog owners’ caregiving behaviour towards enhancing dog welfare using the COM-B framework - Volume 35

Dogs Trust Campaign: Help strengthen breeding laws in Scotland. Find out more and/or sign the petition. Dogs are sufferi...
10/09/2026

Dogs Trust Campaign: Help strengthen breeding laws in Scotland. Find out more and/or sign the petition.
Dogs are suffering because gaps in the law allow poor breeding practices to continue. These can sometimes leave dogs with lasting health problems which can cause them daily pain and in the worst cases, death. In 2021, the Scottish Government introduced the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations to protect dogs from bad breeders, but five years on it’s clear that more needs to be done.

Poor breeding practices are causing dogs to suffer across Scotland.

09/09/2026
*Free webinar* from the Animal Welfare Centre at the University of Edinburgh. 1 Oct (6-7pm GMT). “Artificial Intelligenc...
08/09/2026

*Free webinar* from the Animal Welfare Centre at the University of Edinburgh. 1 Oct (6-7pm GMT). “Artificial Intelligence and Animal Welfare: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies” with Dr Jill MacKay. Find out more and register now. Places are limited!

Animal Welfare Centre events including webinars, conferences, and more.

30/08/2026

Experts in equine welfare and behaviour from the School have contributed to Scottish Government guidance for horse owners.

The 2026 Welfare of Equids: Guidance reflects significant advances in our understanding of equine welfare. Alongside physical health, it recognises the importance of mental wellbeing, positive experiences, social interaction and opportunities for equids to express natural behaviours.

Contributions from the School were led by Mrs Bryony Lancaster, MSc Equine Science programme director, Dr Sarah Brown, equine welfare lecturer/scientist and Dr Gemma Pearson, who is the only Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine). They were supported by a number of colleagues associated with Equine Science and the Animal Welfare Centre.

It is fantastic to see the expertise from the School extending beyond our campus and helping to support the welfare of horses, ponies and donkeys across Scotland and beyond.

Welfare of Equids: Guidance: https://www.gov.scot/publications/welfare-equids-guidance/
Equine Science: https://edin.ac/46w3oeb
Equine Behaviour: https://edin.ac/4zKylbE
Animal Welfare Centre: https://edin.ac/3DTjC5H

27/08/2026
If you would like to connect with over 850 people with a passion for animal welfare as well as being kept up to date abo...
25/08/2026

If you would like to connect with over 850 people with a passion for animal welfare as well as being kept up to date about publications, conferences, funding, and much more - join the Animal Welfare Centre LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-welfare-centre

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The Royal (Dick School Of Veterinary Studies
Edinburgh
EH259RG

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