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UFAW announces 2023 award winners
The awards will be presented at the UFAW Online Animal Welfare Conference.
Scientists rewarded for contributions to animal welfare.

The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) has announced the winners of its annual awards for scientists who have made important contributions to the advancement of animal welfare.

Professor Per Jensen has been awarded the UFAW Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Animal Welfare Science, which recognises the achievement of an individual scientist who has made important contributions to animal welfare over a number of years.

Professor of Ethology at Linköping University, Sweden, Professor Jensen researches domestication and animal welfare, with a focus on the genetic and epigenetic aspects of the behaviour of chickens and dogs.

Over the course of his career, he has published more than 200 peer reviewed papers and trained and mentored more than 60 junior scientists.

Dr Huw Golledge, UFAW chief executive and scientific director, said: “Professor Jensen is highly deserving of the UFAW Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Animal Welfare Science. Throughout his career, he has consistently produced some of the highest quality, most innovative research in the field of animal welfare science.

“Furthermore, he has ensured wide dissemination of his work through the publication of peer reviewed papers and books, and through delivering presentations to both scientific and lay audiences. We are delighted to be able to recognise Per’s service in the science of animal welfare.”

This year’s winners of the UFAW Early Career Animal Welfare Researcher of the Year Award were also announced, with the award going jointly to Dr Sara Hintze and Dr Jordan Hampton.

An assistant professor in animal welfare science at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria, Dr Hintze researches the affective states of animals, with a current focus on animal boredom in farmed pigs.

Dr Hampton is currently studying the impact of lead from ammunition on wildlife, people and the environment. He is a McKenzie Research Fellow in the Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Australia.

Commenting on the two winners of the early career award, Dr Golledge said: “We are delighted to be able to recognise the significant impact that both Dr Hintze and Dr Hampton have made to the field of animal welfare science during their relatively short careers. As well as producing scientifically robust research, both Sara and Jordan champion dissemination to ensure that animal welfare can be improved on a large scale.”

The awards will be presented at the UFAW Online Animal Welfare Conference on 20-21 June 2023.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.