University LINKs Scheme
University of Liverpool (UK)
Dr Lynne Sneddon
Email: lsneddon@liverpool.ac.uk
2019:
Seminar on using non-invasive thermography to measure stress in birds
As part of the UFAW Link Scheme Dr Lynne Sneddon ran a UFAW Animal Welfare event at the University of Liverpool on 1st May 2019. This meeting was well attended by staff and students from the Veterinary Institute and School of Life Sciences. Invited speaker Dr Dorothy McKeegan from University of Glasgow spoke about her recent innovative work on using non-invasive thermography to measure stress in birds. Dorothy outlined the utility of infra-red thermography in understanding the welfare of animals and how they respond to a variety of situations. This useful tool is being implemented in the assessment of welfare in farmed poultry.
University Link Scheme: 1st Annual UFAW Event at Liverpool
The University of Liverpool has a strong track record of conducting high quality animal welfare research particularly in the fields of laboratory animal and veterinary science. From mammals through to fish, Liverpool scientists have made significant advances in understanding and improving animal welfare. As Link Representative, it was my great pleasure to promote UFAW’s activities and the science of laboratory animal welfare by hosting the first annual UFAW event where Dr Huw Golledge was welcomed from Newcastle University to talk about his innovative approaches in addressing humane anaesthesia and euthanasia in rodents.
Huw is a member of the Pain & Animal Welfare Science (PAWS) Group and is based in the Medical School at Newcastle. His presentation outlined the search for the most humane way of applying anaesthesia and comparing between different inhalant agents or gases. Huw employs a range of clever behavioural techniques to examine whether animals exposed to carbon dioxide experience significant levels of stress or distress and whether alternative methods are better. His talk was well attended by students from both Life Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, research staff, academics and animal carers thus a lively discussion ensued over some light refreshments during the networking session. I am grateful to Huw for his time and for sharing his provocative research findings that make a direct improvement to laboratory animal welfare. This event was made possible and kindly sponsored by the UFAW Link Scheme.
