Animal Welfare Assessment Contest
November 7-9, 2025 | Texas A&M University
FAQs
General
Q: Why have an animal welfare assessment contest?
A: As welfare assurance schemes continue to evolve across North America and beyond, there is an increasing need for objective, skilled evaluators who are well trained in traditional animal sciences and welfare issues.
Today's animal science departments and veterinary colleges are relied upon to prepare their graduates to address such ever-evolving changes in the industry. The Animal Welfare Assessment Contest® provides our future leaders with training to gather and evaluate information for addressing societal concerns in an unbiased way. It is essential for animal science students to be able to synthesize the results of animal welfare research to make critical evaluations of animal welfare conditions under widely differing scenarios.
Evidence for the effect of judging teams on attitudes toward a specific discipline has been established by Squires et al. (1991). The competitive venue facilitates motivation and information retention, while the process of integrating a wide range of information into one final decision and oral presentation mirrors the interdisciplinary skills needed for real life welfare assessment.
In 2002, faculty at Michigan State University developed an Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest, now known as the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest® or AWJAC®, to provide a tool for positively affecting attitudes of students toward the welfare of agricultural and other animals. There is powerful potential in integrating welfare assessment into a competitive learning environment that has been part of the traditional animal science culture for decades.
Q: How does the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest® work?
A: Participants representing their respective universities compete as a team and/or individuals to evaluate animal welfare scenarios and earn scores.
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 animals or facility has a higher level of welfare. Each scenario consists of two hypothetical situations representing animals in typical settings. Scenarios may include physiological data, video clips, still photos, behavioral responses, husbandry and housing information, and time budgets. After viewing each scenario, students are asked to rank the welfare of the animals or facilities. Students are then provided time to prepare more detailed analyses in the form of a brief oral presentation to an expert judge defending their reasoning as to why one situation demonstrates a higher level of welfare than another. Students are allowed to use whatever resources they have available in their preparation period—however, having too many materials to review can take up valuable preparation time. The use of the internet during contest time is prohibited. Students are allowed to take a single, one-sided 3" x 5" index card with them as reference while presenting oral reasons.
At the fall contest, students also participate as a team or individually in a live assessment exercise, typically conducted at an operating animal facility. Individuals or teams of three to five students give presentations to a panel of judges; this may include recommendations for welfare-related changes at the facility.
A panel of judges, with expertise on the welfare of the species in question, view each individual or team presentation and awards are presented to the top scoring individuals and teams. Knowledge of welfare science and the art of persuasion in the presentation are key factors used in scoring.
For more information about the contest, please watch our Know Before You Go video.
Q: Who can participate in the contest?
A: Students from any university or veterinary college may assemble a team for competition or compete as individuals. It is not necessary that the students be animal science majors or specializing in food animal medicine, although background knowledge of the species in question is needed to make educated assessments. This knowledge can be gained through life experiences and from the university curriculum; however, it is also important that participants practice presenting oral arguments that show acquired knowledge pertinent to both general welfare issues and the specific species being evaluated.
Participation
Q: Can veterinarians participate?
A: Up to eight AVMA member veterinarians have the opportunity to take part in the event as non-competitive participants and earn CE credits. See registration details and apply.
Q: Can veterinary technicians participate?
A: Up to 5 veterinary technicians have the opportunity to take part in the event as non-competitive participants and earn CE credits. To be eligible to participate, veterinary technicians must be a member of NAVTA. See registration details and apply.
Q: Can veterinary technician students participate?
A: Yes, veterinary technician students can register for the undergraduate division. See registration details and apply.
Q: Can I attend the contest without participating?
A: Due to the nature of the contest we do not allow for outside observers. If you are interested in attending, please consider coaching a team, or participating in the appropriate category as an individual or part of a team.
Getting started and preparing
Q: How does our university start a team for the contest?
A: It is important to involve motivated students as the exercise requires students who have critical thinking skills, are able to readily express thoughtful interpretations, and can develop original ideas. Time commitment is also essential. As the contest draws nearer, the team may want to commit more time to practicing and perfecting oral presentation skills.
The first priority should be establishing a practice schedule that works well for both the coach and team members. Meeting weekly has worked well for some teams.
In the beginning, it will be beneficial to provide general literature on animal welfare science to study, after which time the team can move on to studying each relevant species for the contest.
After learning from these materials, teams should practice evaluating sample scenarios and become comfortable presenting oral reasons in front of an audience. Videotaping practice sets of oral reasons can be helpful in identifying areas in need of improvement.
Q: What are scenarios like?
A: Welfare assessment scenarios are presented through both live visits to animal facilities and with digital multimedia presentations using PowerPoint. View sample scenarios.
Q: How do I prepare?
A: See all preparation resources, including a reference list, sample scenarios, examples of oral assessments, and a rule book. Additional tips include:
- Solicit a team of interested individuals (3 to 5 students per team). Some previous coursework in animal welfare is helpful. Identify a faculty coach. Coaches should meet with students to review relevant background material.
- Discuss current animal care practices across a variety of animal uses. Allow students to debate potential welfare concerns and benefits of different approaches to housing, husbandry, and transport.
- Evaluate different scenarios using the samples provided on this website, video tapes, hypothetical data, and other useful media. Students should be encouraged to integrate a variety of physiologic, health, and behavioral indicators of well-being into their assessment of welfare.
- Practice presenting oral assessments.
Q: What if the photos of animals shown in advertisements on the website and in the brochure is not a perfect match to breed/species of animal featured in the scenario?
A: Try to remember that a cow is a cow, no matter what breed. Additionally, for exotic species, there may be a lack of literature for one specific breed or species, so you may have to use literature about other breeds or species and apply critical thinking and scientific reasoning in your evaluation.
Other
Q: Can I use the contest logo to make shirts, bags, etc.?
A: To use the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest® logo, you must receive authorization.
Q: Is there more information about the traveling trophies?
A: Awarded to the highest placing team in each Division, the trophies feature original artwork by Lynne Millman, Blandford, NS, Canada.
Q: Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
A: If you have additional questions about AWJAC, please contact Dr. Sharon Kuca at (847) 285-6713 or AWJAC
avma [dot] org (AWJAC[at]avma[dot]org).
Virtual AWJAC information
Q: How is the virtual AWJAC different from the in-person AWJAC?
A: These are the most important differences for virtual AWJAC:
- There are two scenarios—one each day.
- There are no teams. Contestants compete individually.
This flowchart provides an overview of how the contest works. For specific times of each event, please consult the schedule.
Q: Where can I access the rules for the virtual AWJAC 2025?
A: Rules are available here.
Q: Can I earn CE for participating in virtual AWJAC 2025?
A: Yes. Participants will be eligible to earn up to five (5) continuing education (CE) credits.
Q: The event is online; how will the assessment work?
A: Each morning instructions will be followed by a virtual scenario presented in a PowerPoint slide show that will include written information, photos, and videos. At the conclusion of the slide show, participants will have five minutes to place the scenario via a poll question.
Oral assessments will take place in Zoom breakout rooms with a live judge. Participants will enter a waiting room prior to their allocated start time. They should plan to be in the waiting room at least five minutes prior to their scheduled presentation time. Participants, identified only by their anonymous ID, will then enter the judging room at their allocated time in a breakout room with a judge and a timekeeper.
Once the oral presentation is finished, participants will be asked to exit the judging room. They will be removed from the judging room if their presentation exceeds the allotted time regardless of whether the presentation is complete.
Q: What will be covered in the touch tank scenario?
A: The scenario will focus on cownose rays. Other species may be part of the scenario as they can be found in touch tanks. However, participants will only be responsible for assessing the welfare of the cownose rays.
Q: How will contestants be judged for the scenarios?
A: The two scenarios will be judged in the same manner as virtual scenarios in previous contests: three-minute oral presentation given LIVE to an individual judge with point deductions for going over three minutes. A maximum time of three minutes and 30 seconds will be allotted.
Q: How will I know what time to present my oral reasons?
A: The schedule for presentation of oral reasons will be announced during the morning of each contest day. Participants will select the option for their division to view the schedule, which is organized by anonymous IDs.
Q: Do you have any tips for presenting virtually?
A: Download the Zoom app and practice! Find an appropriate backdrop that will not distract from your presentation. Practice speaking while sitting and standing as you may find one to be more comfortable than the other.
Dress to impress! Wear professional attire. Remember, do not wear any attire that may identify who you are or what school you attend. Also, be sure there is nothing in your backdrop that can identify you or your school.
Q: How do I know if I am in the undergraduate senior or junior division?
A: When you receive your anonymous ID, your division status will be confirmed.
Q: How will I know my anonymous ID?
A: Participants will receive an email by Thursday, April 24 with their anonymous ID.
Q: What exactly should I do with my anonymous ID?
A: Participants will not be allowed entry into their breakout room to give their oral presentations unless their name has been replaced with their anonymous ID. To change your name to your anonymous ID while in the Zoom meeting, click the "Participants" button to bring up list of participants and find yourself in list of attendees. Click the "More" button, select "Rename" and enter your anonymous ID.
Q: How do I access the virtual contest platform?
A: In your registration email, you will have received your sign-in email and password to enter the contest. The link to the contest site can be found in your "what you need to know before AWJAC" email. If you have not received either email, please contact AWJACavma [dot] org (AWJAC[at]avma[dot]org).
Q: Is there anything I need to do prior to the start of the contest?
A: Yes, all attendees must download the Zoom app and familiarize themselves with how it works. You should test any cameras or microphones with the Zoom application.
Q: My internet can be unreliable at times, what should I do?
A: The following internet best practices may help if you are having difficulty with internet connection:
- Join the meeting audio from a separate phone line. After joining a Zoom meeting, you will be prompted to join the audio automatically. If this prompt does not appear or you close out of it, click "Join Audio" in the meeting controls. Next click "Phone Call" and follow the instructions shown on your screen for dialing in.
- Remove all other devices from your internet network.
- Hardwire your computer to the router.
Due to the virtual format, we are aware there may be technical difficulties that will affect a contestant's ability to view the scenario and/or present their oral assessment to judges at their designated time. Every effort will be made, within reason, to ensure each participant is treated fairly and allowed a chance to participate fully. Please contact AWJACavma [dot] org (AWJAC[at]avma[dot]org) if you need assistance during the contest.
Q: Where can I find information for the hearing impaired?
A: There will be closed captioning on the educational lectures. During the live sessions, there will be audience interaction through session chat logs. For accommodations for live aspects of the contest, including the live instructions, oral presentations, awards ceremony, and for all other ADA requests, please contact AWJACavma [dot] org (AWJAC[at]avma[dot]org).
Q: Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
A: If you have additional questions about AWJAC, please contact
Dr. Sharon Kuca
(847) 285-6713
AWJACavma [dot] org (AWJAC[at]avma[dot]org)