Research Projects and Products
Barriers and Opportunities for Addressing Cases of Animal Cruelty and Neglect
Objectives:
Our research consisted of interviews animal cruelty investigators, law enforcement, and district attorneys to understand:
- What factors enable animal cruelty and neglect cases to be successfully addressed?
- What are the barriers or challenges to being able to investigate and effectively address cases of animal cruelty and neglect?
- What is the extent and role of mental health challenges and recidivism in animal cruelty and neglect cases?
- What are limitations to the state’s animal cruelty statute, and what changes to the statute would address the barriers to animal cruelty and neglect cases?
- What resources or programs are needed to more effectively address cases of animal cruelty and neglect?
Products:
- Read our report of results here: AHPC Report on Animal Cruelty Cases in Colorado
United States National Public Survey on Animal Protection Policies
Objectives:
- Examine United States public perceptions of 5 key animal welfare policies that are currently being discussed by policy-makers and stakeholders nationwide;
- Examine Unites States public perceptions of the importance of animal welfare in federal and state level policy and governance more broadly, including which groups of animals the public is most concerned about;
- Examine United States public knowledge and beliefs about animal welfare in policy and governance, to inform potential gaps in knowledge in outreach about animal welfare policy.
Products:
- Read our report of results here: AHPC US National Public Survey on Animal Protection Policy
Public Perspectives Towards Bear and Mountain Lion Hunting in Colorado
Objectives:
- Examine Colorado public perspectives on hunting of mountain lions and black bear as well as hunting them for different purposes (e.g., obtaining a trophy and human safety) and using different practices (i.e., using hounds and electronic calls in mountain lion hunting).
Products:
- Read our peer-reviewed manuscript, published in Conservation Science and Practice, here: Ghasemi et al, Conservation Science and Practice
Veterinary Workforce and Access to Veterinary Care Challenges in Colorado
Objectives:
- Examine Colorado veterinary professionals' perceptions of veterinary workforce and access to veterinary care challenges as well as potential policies/programs to address these challenges
- Examine Colorado families' perceived barriers to accessing veterinary care as well as their perspectives on potential resources/programs to enhance access to care
Products:
- Read our peer-reviewed manuscript, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, here: Niemiec et al., Frontiers
- Read our report of results from our veterinary professional survey here: AHPC Veterinary Professional Survey Results
- Read our report of results from our CO companion animal owner survey here: AHPC Colorado Pet Owners Survey Summary of Results
- Read our summary of veterinary professional and pet owner perspectives on potential programs/policy solutions here: AHPC Policy Solutions for Access to Veterinary care and Workforce Challenges
- Read our report from a workshop AHPC hosted among leaders working on access to veterinary care challenges in Colorado here: AHPC April 4 2024 Workshop Report
Equine Welfare: Understanding Cruelty/Neglect Cases in Colorado and Lessons Learned from Other States
Objectives:
- Quantify the numbers and types of domestic equine cruelty and neglect cases being investigated by Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection agents in different types of equine facilities throughout the state
- Summarize lessons learned from other states where programs or policies focused on promoting equine welfare have been implemented for equine rescues and other equine facilities.
Products:
- Read our report of our findings here: AHPC Domestic Equine Welfare Report
- Read our analysis of potential policy options here: AHPC Domestic Equine Welfare Policy Options
Public And Beekeeper Perspectives Towards Pollinator Conservation in Colorado
Objectives:
- Examine the Colorado public's perspectives, knowledge, behaviors related to pollinator conservation, and willingness to support/pay for pollinator conservation efforts
- Develop and test the effectiveness of scientific communication strategies on pollinator conservation and produce outreach and education materials focused on native pollinators in collaboration with educational institutions, beekeeping groups, and nonprofit partners.
Funders/Collaborating Institutions: CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability (Funder), Butterfly Pavilion (Collaborating Institution)
Products:
- Read our report of results from our 2023 Colorado public survey on potential pollinator conservation policies here: AHPC Public Perspectives on Pollinators Summary of Results