About and history

History

In 2001, faculty members from Michigan State University (MSU) and Purdue University presented the idea of promoting animal welfare science to university students by coupling it with the more traditional concept of livestock judging to the International Society for Applied Ethology. In 2002 MSU hosted the first Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest (AWJAC) for four teams representing four universities (MSU, University of Guelph, University of Wisconsin, and Purdue University). By 2014, schools from across North America brought a total of 28 teams and 116 participants to compete.

Though originally the contest was for undergraduate students only, within a decade it expanded to the current three divisions: undergraduate, graduate, and (with the assistance of the AVMA) veterinary students. Initially the AWJAC focused on livestock species—now it covers production, companion, laboratory, and exotic animals.

The AWJAC relies on hypothetical, realistic computer-viewed scenarios containing performance, health, physiologic and behavioral data. These are evaluated by students individually to determine which facility has a higher level of welfare. Each student then presents their rationale orally to judges with expertise in animal welfare science and specific knowledge of the species they are judging. Students also participate in a team assessment exercise, typically conducted at an operating animal facility. In front of a panel of judges, teams of 3-5 students give presentations which might consist of recommendations for welfare-related changes at the facility.

Students are surveyed at the end of each contest to obtain their perceptions of the AWJAC. Over 95% of participants believe the AWJAC is a valuable exercise, feel they have increased their knowledge about animal welfare science, and would recommend the AWJAC to peers (n=429). In response to student feedback, the format of the contest was revised in 2006, and an invited speaker program was added. This educational component has been extremely well received.

While the assessment of various aspects of animal welfare can be objective and quantifiable, judging what is considered acceptable, preferred, or unacceptable on the welfare continuum often comes down to ethics-based choices. The AWJAC teaches students to integrate science-based knowledge with ethical values for an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving.

Advisory board

The Advisory Board for the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest consists of five members representing these organizations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
• American Society of Animal Science
• International Society for Applied Ethology

Members are identified by their respective organizations.