The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

29/07/2025

Animal Assisted Services International (AASI) Regional In-Person Workshop at Dogs for Good (Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK) on 20-21 September 2025. Ideal for practitioners of AAS – Limited spots available. Register now!
https://aas-int.org/regionaluk2025/

Registration Form for AASI In-Person Regional Workshop (Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK) 20-21 September 2025 Animal Assisted Services International (AASI) Regional In-Person Workshop at Dogs for Good (Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK) on 20-21 September 2025! Ideal for practitioners of AAS – Limited spots avail...

29/07/2025

Have a look at what we have already confirmed for the AASI Regional workshop in the UK this September!

Book your tickets here https://aas-int.org/regionaluk2025

If you are an Iahaio_official or AASI member you can access our member rate!

Remember if you want to book local accommodation your special rate ends this Friday.

Want to know more about the upcoming European/UK In-person workshop 'Connected Paths'

Check our website following this link:

https://aas-int.org/regionaluk2025

25/07/2025

Check out the latest episode of The Anthrozoology Podcast: Discussions on humanimality!

https://anthrozoopod.wixsite.com/anthrozoopod/ep-44-bond-centred-practice

Episode 44 - Dr Elizabeth Ormerod: Bond-Centred Practice and Community Outreach, pt2/2.

In this follow up episode, veterinary surgeon Dr Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS, Chair of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), returns to explore two additional pillars of her four decade career: campaigning for companion-animal inclusive housing and creating one of the UK’s first companion-animal loss support programmes within general practice.

Dr Ormerod explains how grass roots advocacy in Fleetwood challenged local “no pets” policies and sparked a wider conversation about companion animals in social housing, eventually leading to national debate. We also look at her bond centred approach to end of life care, growth charts, early behaviour counselling, and multidisciplinary bereavement teams designed to support both clients and veterinary staff. Along the way Dr Ormerod discusses strategies for preventing compassion fatigue, the importance of community networks, and why affordable, flexible payment schemes remain crucial as corporate vet ownership expands.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS, veterinary surgeon and chair of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS). Dr Ormerod discusses her long-standing work integrating veterinary practice with social care, animal welfare education, and community-based programs.

10/07/2025

Prof. Carri Westgarth joins Zazie Todd to discuss dog bites in this free seminar, 15th July, 7pm UK time. A recording will be available to all those who register and questions can be submitted in advance.

This month's Ask Me Anything was so successful that we're doing another one! This time we're bringing in one of the world's experts on dog bites to join us for an Ask Me Anything about Dog Bites. Kristi and I will be joined by Prof. Carri Westgarth of Wag-Lab Westgarth Anthrozoology Group Research, University of Liverpool, and Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership. You may recognize her name from Bark! Fest, where she told us about her wonderfulbook The Happy Dog Owner. Come to this event and bring your questions about dog bites! A recording will be available to those who register, and questions can be submitted in advance. Get the details and sign up here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7217503781121/WN_bvswDWlqQRqVxDyz1InHRg

If you'd like the books, they are available wherever books are sold, including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/animalbookclub/list/2LUI1OX2FII3D?ref_=aipsflist

09/07/2025

With the weather heating up this week, make sure your pet remains safe and comfortable. Some top tips from BSAVA. If your pet gets overheated, remember - Get your Pet Wet, then Call the Vet!

With the weather heating up this week, share these top tips with your clients to avoid any heat-related illnesses in their pets!

- Never leave pets in a car or hot room
- Make sure pets have access to a cool, shaded, and well-ventilated area, both indoors and outdoors
- Always provide fresh drinking water
- Walk dogs during cooler times of the day, avoiding walks altogether on very hot days.

Remember - Get your pet wet, then call a vet!

08/07/2025

Pet-inclusive housing is a serious social issue that affects both people and animals. Raising awareness and promoting evidence-based solutions is a priority for SCAS. In this article PIHI addresses some of the key misconceptions that might concern landlords or deter them from permitting tenants with companion animals. Landlords interested in making their properties more pet inclusive will find this leaflet useful based on SCAS funded research https://www.scas.org.uk/pet-friendly-rental-properties-making-it-work-for-everyone/

In a country where nearly two-thirds of households include a pet, the need for inclusive, pet-welcoming housing has never been more urgent. While the majority of rental properties in the U.S. technically allow pets, the fine print tells a different story: breed and size restrictions, exorbitant pet....

04/07/2025

Interested in learning more about the human-animal bond and our relationships with other species (including companion animals)? The MA in Anthrozoology is a postgraduate degree from the University of Exeter that can be completed full-time or part-time via distance learning. Perfect for anyone who cannot relocate or needs to study around work, caring, or other commitments!

30/06/2025

The admission to the Master's degree program "Ethology & Human-Animal Interaction" (in English), hosted by the Faculty of Animal Science and Biothechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania, starts on 1st of July (01-04.07.2025, online and/or onsite).
More details here: https://admitere.usamvcluj.ro/international-students/admission-calendar/

27/06/2025

Animal abuse and domestic violence are not easy subjects, but it is important we are aware of the signs and the connection. This is such an important topic that is relevant to a wide audience. Sign up for our next SCAS Webinar with Phil Arkow from the National LINK Coalition Our webinars are free for members and a small fee for non-members. Recording available to all registered participants.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dark-side-of-the-human-animal-bond-tickets-1391776855039?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

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Presenter: Phil Arkow

25/06/2025

Do you have a cat aged 8 years or over? If so, please help by participating in an online questionnaire study looking at dementia in older cats.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have designed an online survey which they would like participants to complete now and then again at different time points in the future (2-4 weeks, 6 months and 12 months from now).

They would particularly love to hear from the caregivers of cats who are suspected to be experiencing some cognitive decline but this is by no means a pre-requisite for participation.

The survey should take no longer than 10mins to complete and can be accessed via the QR code.
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/developing-a-diagnostic-tool-for-cat-dementia

24/06/2025

Position Open: Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Fostering Compassion, UK

Closing Date: 30 June 2025

Fostering Compassion is a groundbreaking humane education project for vulnerable children who may be showing worrying behaviour towards animals or are struggling with compassion and empathy in general.

70 hours a month. £20 per hour (gross). 1 year Fixed Term Contract (possible extension dependent on funding). Work pattern flexible by agreement (some weekend work may be required.

Apply here:

Fostering Compassion is a groundbreaking humane education project for vulnerable children who may be showing worrying behaviour towards animals or are struggling with compassion and empathy in general. Unique in our approach, our activities share the stories of rescued animals in a way that the chil...