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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

The perception of animal abuse is closely linked to each society. Because of its culture, Spain is among the European Union countries with the highest records of animal abuse. The Canary Islands, where this study was carried out, also has very high rates of intentional poisoning of wildlife and abandonment of pets. Care and responsibility towards animals is trained from childhood onwards and is strongly influenced by demographic and social factors. In the current investigation, our aim was to examine the perception of animal abuse among adolescents and to disclose the role of the main social and demographic factors on the perception of animal welfare. To accomplish this objective, we conducted a comprehensive survey targeting individuals aged 14–18 years. We found that males who also had hunting relatives had the least sensitivity to animal abuse.

Abstract

Animal welfare is inherited in each society, shaped by the surrounding environment and upbringing of each individual. This influence becomes particularly significant during adolescence. Due to its cultural context, Spain is among the European Union nations with the highest number of cases of animal abuse. The Canary Islands, the scenario of this study, show the highest rates of intentional poisoning of wildlife and pets’ abandonment. The aim of the present study was to explore the perception of animal welfare among adolescents, studying the influence of the main socio-demographic factors that may condition it. A validated questionnaire on animal abuse was used and distributed to adolescents aged 14–18 years in two public study centers. Animal abuse rates were correlated with socio-demographic variables. In total, 302 subjects answered the questionnaire. The perception of animal welfare was influenced by socio-demographic variables, gender being the most important. The demographic profile of the least responsive adolescent to animal abuse was a male engaged in sports, not owning a dog, and hailing from a family involved in hunting. Awareness should be raised at an early age, promoting artistic activities, encouraging contact with animals and sporting practices that do not generate a lack of empathy for animals.

Details

Title
Perception of Animal Abuse among Adolescents: Influence of Social and Demographic Factors
Author
Estévez-Pérez, Laura 1 ; Zumbado, Manuel 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Luzardo, Octavio P 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Henríquez-Hernández, Luis Alberto 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain; [email protected] 
 Deontology and Veterinary Legal Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; [email protected] 
 Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; [email protected] 
 Deontology and Veterinary Legal Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; [email protected]; Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; [email protected] 
First page
972
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20762615
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2987139012
Copyright
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.