Search Results (437)

Water scarcity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, yet its implications for communal goat production systems remain insufficiently documented. This study assessed communal goat farmers’ perceptions of water scarcity and identified factors influencing this challenge in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was administered to 218 smallholder goat farmers, and data were analysed using SPSS (v29). A ranking index was employed to prioritise production constraints, goat functions, and water sources. Additionally, water samples from dams, streams, and rainwater were analysed for key physicochemical parameters. Results showed that theft (index = 0.233) was the most important production constraint, followed by parasites/diseases (0.219), predators (0.211), and water scarcity (0.187), which consistently ranked fourth across seasons. Despite this ranking, farmers perceived water scarcity to have substantial impacts on production, including increased disease prevalence (46.3% severe), mortality (45.0% severe), reduced weight at maturity (61.9% severe), increased trekking distance to water sources (59.2% severe), and reduced feed quality (54.6% severe). Farmers generally perceived water as clean and non-saline; however, laboratory analysis revealed poor quality, with pH values ranging from 9.14 to 10.72 and turbidity exceeding recommended thresholds (<5 NTU) in most dam and stream samples. Water accessibility was limited, with goats travelling an average of 5.85 km to dams and 7.71 km to streams. Key drivers of water scarcity included reduced rainfall (50.9%), lack of government intervention (49.1%), and drying of dams (40.4%). The study highlights a critical mismatch between perceived and actual water quality and demonstrates the multidimensional impacts of water scarcity on goat health, productivity, and welfare. Future research requires longitudinal studies linking water quality to goat health outcomes, intervention research on farmer education, low-cost water-treatment technologies, governance studies of water infrastructure, and economic analyses quantifying productivity losses. Full article

Despite increasing academic interest in return migration, limited understanding remains of how individual resources, workplace experiences, and perceptions of the origin country interact to shape return migration intention among migrant workers in major industrial destinations. This study investigates return migration intention among Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, using a multilevel framework that links micro-level individual and household characteristics, meso-level workplace and social experiences, and macro-level assessments of conditions in Myanmar. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected from 506 Myanmar migrant workers using proportional stratified random sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and binary logistic regression. The results indicate that the majority of respondents did not intend to return to Myanmar within the next 10–15 years. Workplace discrimination emerged as the strongest positive predictor of return migration intention, while higher income and annual remittance behavior also increased the likelihood of intending to return. Conversely, having family in Thailand, perceived opportunities for job change or promotion, satisfaction with wages and welfare, and perceived safety in Myanmar reduced the likelihood of return migration intention. The findings suggest that future mobility plans cannot be explained solely by economic calculation. They are also shaped by family arrangements, workplace treatment, and migrants’ assessments of the feasibility and desirability of return. The study advances return migration scholarship by demonstrating the pivotal role of workplace discrimination within a multilevel explanation of return migration intention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dog tethering remains a common containment practice in several regions despite increasing concerns about its implications for animal welfare. This study aimed to assess veterinary professionals’ perceptions in Portugal about the impact of dog tethering on canine health, behavior, and welfare, as well as their views on its regulation. Methods: An anonymous, structured questionnaire was distributed online to veterinary professionals to collect data on clinical exposure to chained dogs, observed health and behavioral outcomes, and attitudes toward criminalizing the practice. Results: A total of 331 veterinarians participated, of whom 71.9% reported encountering chained dogs during their professional activities, particularly in rural areas. Most respondents perceived the tethering conditions as inadequate, particularly regarding freedom of movement and the fulfillment of behavioral needs. Frequently reported consequences included alopecia at the restraint site, poor muscle condition, physical injuries, fear-related behaviors, reduced socialization, and increased aggression. Preventing escape was identified as the primary perceived motivation for tethering. The majority of veterinarians supported some degree of criminalization, particularly when welfare impairment was evident. Conclusions: These findings reflect veterinary professionals’ perceptions of the welfare risks associated with prolonged tethering and underscore the need for integrated strategies combining regulation, education, and accessible, humane containment alternatives. Full article

While parenthood is gratifying, it is also a significant life transition, filled with challenges and stressors that require ongoing psychological and behavioral adjustments. This study aims to: (1) verify the psychometric characteristics of the Perceived Corporate Welfare Scale (PCWS), and (2), in line with the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, investigate how corporate welfare and parenting self-regulation act as resources against perceived stress and quiet quitting. We further explored the mediating role of stress and the moderating effect of parenthood. A group of 788 Italian workers (43.5% non-parents; 29.6% moms; 26.9% dads) participated. The psychometric properties of the PCWS were tested using CFA. A moderated mediation model was estimated using Bootstrap methods (95% CI). The PCWS showed a robust one-factor structure with significant item loadings (>0.60) and satisfactory reliability (CR and AVE). Findings suggest that perceived corporate welfare and parenting self-regulation function as resources and are negatively associated with perceived stress. Perceived stress fully mediates the relationship between perceived corporate welfare and quiet quitting and partially mediates the relationship between parenting self-regulation and quiet quitting. Crucially, parenthood moderates this relationship: fathers’ perceived stress has a stronger association with quiet quitting than mothers’ does. Consequently, the indirect effects are also stronger for fathers. This study provides a validated tool for monitoring perceptions of corporate welfare. The results suggest that personalized interventions and an organizational culture that values parenthood are key to sustaining well-being and long-term employee engagement. Full article

Dogs’ societal roles have shifted globally. In private spheres, dogs are increasingly regarded as family and granted legal protections, but in public, they are framed as dangerous and subjected to increased legal restrictions. Changing perceptions of dogs and differences in the law’s beneficiaries may influence how people develop legal knowledge. Where enforcement is limited or challenging, legal knowledge becomes an important component of the law’s capacity to shape behaviour. Using the United Kingdom (UK) as a case study, we examined people’s knowledge of 22 laws, divided between UK-wide current laws, nation-specific laws, and plausible hypothetical laws representing high-priority issues. We conducted a nationally representative survey with 1758 participants, split equally across the four UK nations. We first conducted exploratory model-building to identify variables associated with knowledge and then analysed these variables using multinomial models. Accurate legal knowledge among the UK public was limited, with participants frequently overestimating the existence of laws that prioritise dogs and their owners. Dog owners responded with greater certainty but not greater accuracy than non-dog owners. Older participants were more accurate overall, while responses to hypothetical laws suggested generational differences in views on animal welfare. These findings suggest gaps between the law in reality and what people assume the law to be. Full article

Veterinary students’ perceptions of animal welfare are shaped by both educational exposure and individual background, with direct implications for future clinical decision-making. This study evaluated 157 ninth-semester veterinary students enrolled in a Deontology and Veterinary Legal course at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) across six academic years (2019/2020–2025/2026), excluding 2020/2021 due to pandemic-related teaching modifications. Participants completed a structured, previously published questionnaire assessing twelve common dog welfare issues on a 5-point Likert scale, subsequently grouped into five dog welfare dimensions. Students consistently prioritized overt and severe dog welfare concerns, including abuse or active cruelty, lack of treatment to prevent suffering, and malnutrition, while assigning lower importance to breed-related conditions and behavioral problems. Significant differences across academic years were identified for seven items and all dimensions, revealing temporal variability in dog welfare perception between cohorts. Gender and student background also influenced responses, with female and exchange students generally assigning higher scores to selected issues. These findings suggest that the perception of dog welfare is not static but varies between cohorts across academic years and is shaped by sociocultural factors. Strengthening veterinary curricula to address less visible and socially normalized dog welfare problems may be critical to ensuring comprehensive and ethically grounded professional practice. Full article

Understanding how individuals decide to adopt shelter dogs remains a significant challenge within animal welfare research, as existing studies identify correlates of adoption outcomes without explaining the underlying decision process. This hypothesis introduces a conceptual framework that synthesizes empirical findings from dog adoption studies with interdisciplinary theories to explain how adoption decisions emerge. Using a signal-to-noise perspective, the framework conceptualizes early bond formation between a potential adopter and a dog as a valuation signal that competes with uncertainty arising throughout the process. The functional model describes the adoption process as a lifecycle involving search, visitation, interaction, and decision phases, during which potential adopters seek information, evaluate available dogs, and form perceptions of compatibility. Interdisciplinary decision models, including Prospect Theory and the Diffusion Decision Model, are integrated to explain how information is framed, evaluated, and accumulated until a decision is reached. Empirical findings from human–dog interaction research are used to support the hypothesis that potential adopters evaluate companionship potential based on early bond formation associated with human–dog interactions. The framework offers a broad perspective on how adoption decisions may occur and establishes a theoretical foundation to guide future hypothesis development, measurement, and experimental research in companion animal adoption. Full article

Attitudes towards animal welfare depend on people’s lifestyles and education levels, yet little is known about the attitudes of nomadic people. We distributed a questionnaire and collected 1660 valid responses, representing individuals with or without nomadic connections and varying education levels and genders. We used ordinal logistic regression to analyze the impact of these two factors on perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions related to animal welfare. Women and those with higher education levels tended to hold more positive attitudes toward animal welfare, but for farm animals, this was only extended to common female reproducing animals, such as cows, sheep, goats, and laying hens, but not other farm animals, such as beef cattle and broiler chickens. This may reflect a greater sensitivity towards reproducing animals. The influence of nomadic connections on attitudes towards animal welfare was not linear—respondents with nomadic connections themselves or family members of the same generation generally had more negative attitudes, while those with grandparents with nomadic connections had more positive attitudes on several animal welfare issues. This may reflect a generational change in the attitudes of nomadic people towards animals. Full article

Employee loyalty in hospitality settings is influenced by a combination of economic, relational, and developmental factors, including remuneration, recognition, interpersonal relationships, and opportunities for career advancement. This study explores managerial perceptions of the key organizational drivers that enhance employee satisfaction and foster employee loyalty in luxury hospitality settings. Focusing on five-star hotels located in the Heraklion Prefecture of Crete, Greece, the research addresses a context characterized by high service expectations, strong cultural traditions of hospitality, and pronounced seasonal labor dynamics. While previous studies have predominantly examined employee attitudes and outcomes, limited attention has been given to how decision-makers perceive and prioritize the factors influencing employee loyalty in luxury hospitality environments. To address this gap, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining structured Likert-scale questionnaires and qualitative insights collected from senior managers and owners representing 28 luxury hotels. The quantitative component provides descriptive insights into managerial consensus regarding organizational practices, while the qualitative analysis offers deeper interpretation of perceived challenges and priorities. Findings indicate that managers consider leadership style, working conditions, professional development, and employee welfare as central drivers of satisfaction and loyalty, although variation exists regarding the role of benefits and technology. The study contributes to hospitality management literature by highlighting the managerial perspective as a distinct analytical lens and offers practical implications for strategic human resource practices in high-end tourism contexts. Full article

Animal welfare in farmed animals is increasingly being identified as an integral part of ethical meat production; yet in most developing nations, including Ghana, little attention is being paid to this area of interest. The demand for chicken meat and egg products in Ghana has also increased because of rapid urbanisation and development; hence, public perception of poultry welfare is paramount in policy formulation and development in Ghana. This study investigates public perception of poultry welfare in Ghana, particularly laying hen farming. The study used a cross-sectional study and surveyed 1275 respondents aged 17 and older in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale by collecting data in-person, and the questionnaire was administered using tablets or mobile devices. The study found that 69.1% of respondents poorly perceived farmed animal welfare, while 30.9% positively perceived farmed animal welfare in Ghana. There was a significant difference in perception levels among respondents in Accra and Kumasi, and those in Tamale, where respondents in Tamale indicated a slightly positive perception compared to those in Accra and Kumasi. Furthermore, 53.7% of respondents supported state intervention in farmed animal welfare, while 52.0% showed reluctance to pay a premium price for cage-free and free-range egg production in Ghana. Full article

This study examines prospective teachers’ perceptions of sustainable development (SD) and explores the relationship between the SD scenarios they developed and the actions they performed. Based on 58 scenarios and 128 actions reported by pre-service teachers, the study found that scenarios primarily focused on education, resource conservation, and waste management. While the environmental dimension emphasized protection, economic and social dimensions were largely associated with financial savings and public welfare. In contrast, participants’ actual behaviors were predominantly limited to simple resource conservation, such as turning off lights and saving water. A significant discrepancy emerged: despite the strong emphasis on education-related themes in scenarios, educational actions were notably limited in practice. These results suggest that prospective teachers’ high cognitive awareness of SD is only partially reflected in their practical engagement. The findings highlight a “cognitive–practice gap,” underscoring the need for teacher education programs to prioritize action-oriented competencies. Full article

Aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks (Cairna moschata) has become a predominant concern in intensive farming systems, leading to reduced animal welfare and production losses. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying this behavior, transcriptomic profiling was performed on the hypothalamus, a key regulatory hub for aggressive responses. A total of 120 healthy 60-day-old female Muscovy ducks were continuously monitored for 24 h/day over one month using Media Recorder 2.0 software. Based on instantaneous and continuous behavioral observations, the ducks were categorized into three groups: aggressor (Experimental group I, actively attacking conspecifics), victim (Experimental group II, receiving aggression), and non-aggressive (Control group, no aggressive interactions). Hypothalamic tissues were collected from each group (n = 4 per group) for Illumina HiSeq 2000 high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, followed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation. GO analysis identified 626 DEGs in the aggressor group and 649 DEGs in the victim group compared to the control group, with 26 DEGs directly involved in aggressive behavior regulation. Integration of GO and KEGG annotations revealed 69 candidate genes associated with aggressive behavior, enriched in two GO terms (behavior [GO:0007610] and sensory perception of pain [GO:0019233]) and the ERBB signaling pathway (map04012). qRT-PCR validation of 14 randomly selected candidate genes (e.g., NPY, ERBB4, MAPK9, PRDM12) confirmed that their expression patterns were consistent with transcriptomic data, verifying the reliability of the sequencing results. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular genetic basis of aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks and lay a foundation for developing targeted strategies to mitigate aggression in intensive farming systems. Full article

This study evaluates the costs and benefits of participatory forest management (PFM) versus non-participatory forest management based on the perceptions and involvement of local communities in the Kilombero Valley Ramsar site, Tanzania. The area hosts ecologically significant wetlands managed through different regimes: forests managed by local communities under PFM and protected areas controlled by national authorities. Using data collected through focus groups, key interviews, household surveys, and direct observations in two villages—Siginali (PFM) and Kilama (non-participatory)—this research explores perceptions of two different forest management approaches. The results revealed: (i) a generally low awareness and participation in forest management activities in both villages; (ii) restrictions on forest resource access, essential for local livelihoods, were common and often poorly accepted in the two villages; (iii) neither approach alleviates poverty, instead, strict regulations have worsened livelihoods by eliminating traditional income sources; (iv) forced participation in patrols and fire control was also noted as an unfair burden without direct compensation; and (v) the “fortress” model is perceived as more effective at improving forest health and stopping illegal activity due to stricter patrols. The study concludes that while PFM supports forest sustainability, it needs enhanced local engagement, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and complementary income-generating initiatives such as ecotourism to sustainably balance conservation and community welfare. Full article

Despite increasing efforts by the scientific community to raise awareness of breed-related health problems through educational campaigns, public information initiatives, and veterinary outreach programmes, brachycephalic dog breeds remain highly popular. As the number of brachycephalic dogs increases, the prevalence of associated health problems rises accordingly. Ethical and animal welfare considerations appear to play a limited role in breed selection. In German-speaking regions, extensive educational efforts have been undertaken in recent years to address the issue of so-called torture breeding, defined as intentional selection for extreme phenotypic traits that impair health, reduce welfare, and cause chronic suffering, particularly in brachycephalic breeds. The aim of this study was to determine the underlying reasons for the decision to buy and keep a brachycephalic dog. Although the veterinary profession is already improving education and communication, this qualitative study intended to find new starting points for targeted education against animal suffering and to explore the sociological background of the ownership of such dogs. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews with people with brachycephalic dogs were conducted throughout Switzerland (n = 16). The focus was on the animal–human relationship. The interviews were defined by systematically applied guidelines for the design of the interview process, while still allowing maximum openness (all possibilities for expression). The transcribed interviews were coded and analysed according to the Kuckartz methodology, which allows us to set certain focal points of analysis and to structure them according to codes. The results of this study indicate that, although awareness of torture breeding is present within the broader population, owners of brachycephalic dogs frequently rely on individualised arguments and rationalisations. These typically involve emphasising the perceived health, functionality, or exceptional characteristics of their own animal (e.g., claims that their dog is “healthy” or not affected by breed-related problems), thereby distancing their personal ownership experience from the general welfare concerns associated with the breed. This psychological pattern can be interpreted as cognitive dissonance, in which contradictory beliefs are harmonised through selective perception or re-evaluation. The results also show that brachycephalic dogs offer a very strong projection surface: their owners assign them a variety of social roles that go beyond the classic animal–human relationship—for example, as a substitute for children, a romantic partner, or a best friend. This qualitative study provides differentiated insights into the attitudes and motivations of owners of brachycephalic dogs and illustrates that traditional awareness campaigns have not been sufficient to effectively change problematic breeding practices and ownership patterns. In order to develop long-term effective solutions, interdisciplinary cooperation is therefore needed—for example, between veterinary medicine, animal welfare, communication science, psychology and law. In addition to individual education, new, target-group-specific communication strategies and consistent legal regulations are needed to protect animal welfare in the long term. This study is intended to serve as a catalyst for a broader ethical and social debate on the keeping of torture breed dogs. Full article

This article explores the perceived benefits and barriers associated with employing former prisoners as street outreach workers, based on the perspectives of social welfare and prison system professionals. The study aims to contribute to discussions on collaborative approaches to social reintegration and community-based support for socially excluded populations. A qualitative study was conducted between January and March 2025 using in-depth individual interviews. The sample consisted of 30 participants, including 15 social welfare workers and 15 prison officers with professional experience in working with individuals leaving prison. The findings indicate that employing former prisoners as street outreach workers is perceived as offering potential benefits, such as increased credibility, authenticity, and improved engagement with hard-to-reach groups, alongside significant concerns related to emotional stability, institutional readiness, and the risk of role strain. The results suggest that this model may represent an innovative form of support for social reintegration when embedded within appropriate structures of preparation, supervision, and inter-institutional cooperation. The study contributes to ongoing debates on peer-based support and post-prison employment by highlighting professional perceptions of both opportunities and limitations associated with this approach. Full article