The Impact of Human Bias on Animal Welfare

Welcome to the next episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation.  This week we meet Dr Rowena Packer, of the RVC. Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London, where she leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. In this episode we delve into the controversial world of dog breeding, where human preferences for "cute" features often override concerns about animal health – particularly in brachycephalic breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs. The podcast reveals how human biases in pet ownership directly impact animal welfare, challenging listeners to rethink their motivations behind breeding choices. The discussion on brachycephalic breeds uncovers the often-overlooked health implications of emotional attachment in pet ownership, urging a shift toward prioritizing animal well-being over aesthetic preferences. Dr Rowena Packer, BSc (Hons) PhD PGCert(VetEd) FHEA Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. She has received >£2 million of research funding from diverse sources, with ~£1 million held as Principal Investigator.  Rowena is a frequent flyer on the conference circuit and has presented her research internationally, including in the USA, Australia, Canda, and across much of Europe.  Rowena has co-authored >100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, and has continued to research and drive initiatives on this topic for 16 years.  Rowena is a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Find out more about Rowena’s research at https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-people/rowena-packer NOMINATE YOUR ANIMAL WELFARE HERE NOW: If you haven't already done so, please nominate your animal welfare hero for our new award HERE