Engaging with Animals: Interpretations of a Shared Existence

Description

Humans and nonhuman animals engage with each other in a multitude of fascinating ways. They have always done so, motivated by both necessity and choice. Yet, as human population numbers increase and our impact on the planet expands, this engagement takes on new meanings and requires new understanding. In Engaging with animals: interpretations of a shared existenceexperts in the field of human-animal studies investigate, from a variety of differing disciplinary perspectives, the ways in which humans and other animals interact. Grouped into three broad sections the chapters focus on themes ranging from attitudes, ethics and interactions to history, art and literature, and finally animal welfare outcomes. While offering different interpretations of the human-nonhuman interactions, they share a common goal in attempting to find pathways leading to a mutually beneficial and shared co-existence.

Georgette Leah Burns is a senior lecturer in the School of Environment at Griffith University. Mandy Paterson is a principal scientist with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Queensland.

'The book should widen the scope of human-animal studies collections - and to a large extent, it does ... The Australian focus is evident in all three sections of this book. The focus adds much to the interest and importance this book has for contemporary animal ethics.' -- Dawne McCance * Journal of Animal Ethics * 'Engaging with Animals will be eagerly sought by those who have been involved in the grass roots of Animal Studies in Australasia, as well as by international scholars involved in this growing field. The thirteen essays that comprise the book display the fascinating variety of topics that are emanating from Animal Studies conferences and exemplify the value of collections such as this.' -- Carol Freeman * Animal Studies Journal *