Companion Animals in Society takes the reader through the history and the evolution of the companion animal and incorporates the good and bad with todays’ companion animals and what they have gone through throughout history. Stephen Zawistowski explains the role and impact of how the companion animal remains within our society. Chapters mainly discuss the cat and dog, evolution, the history of domestication, development of cat fancy, dog breeding, the history of animal rights and welfare organizations and rescues, pet trade industry, veterinary industry, different types of competitions that dogs and cats may compete in, and the history of the working dog and how they may assist humans. There is also a small chapter on exotics and pocket pets, and how they too are important for their companionship.
This book also has a chapter that most other authors would shy away from in writing in a book: the chapter about the Pro- and Anti-groups with respect to keeping exotics as pets, declawing felines, tail docking, and ear cropping as practiced on certain canine breeds. This book is truly not judging who is right or wrong, rather, it acts to properly inform and educate the reader on animal issues as relates to these practices. There is a comprehensive, large list of organizations, groups, clubs, shelters, rescues, and associations found within the USA listed within the book. Each chapter has a list of key terms, charts containing little tidbits of interesting info about the history of companion animals as well as discussion questions, and a huge list of references after each chapter.
Dr. Zawistowski has a Masters and Ph.D. in behavior-genetics from University of Illinois. He is actively involved in animal welfare and the ASPCA and is also the founding co-editor of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. This is truly a book meant to educate the reader about how animals have evolved into our lives and how important they are to us. Unfortunately, the book shows the sad injustice that we as humans have inflicted upon companion animal both now and in the past; however it also shows how we as humans must seek to protect animals as well as educating people on the ethical care for animals. I recommend this book to anyone that is working in the animal field. It is an eye opener, and contains a lot of interesting information about the companion animal, much of which will be useful to veterinary technicians and many others involved in animal care.
Publisher: Thompson Delmar Learning, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-4180-1370-7
VIN Bookstore: Currently unavailable