Society of Companion Animals (SCAS) invited to Speak at Housing Studies Association Annual Conference 2026 — Society for Companion Animal Studies SCAS is pleased to announce that Dr Elizabeth Ormerod , Chairman of the Society will be presenting a paper on The far-reaching harms caused by the lack of pet-inclusive housing: a veterinary perspec...

Society of Companion Animals (SCAS) invited to Speak at Housing Studies Association (HSA) Annual Conference 2026 #HSA2026

www.scas.org.uk/blogs/societ...

Bite Prevention Week: Moving Beyond Awareness Through AAS Programs — Society for Companion Animal Studies By SCAS Communications Volunteer, Raghad Hussein

Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place this week but it has nothing to do with avoiding dogs. It means awareness and safety, and for SCAS it also means safe interaction.
#PreventDogBites
www.scas.org.uk/blogs/bite-p...

The @isazofficial.bsky.social PJ-Hart Student Scholar Award is named in honor of Dr. Aubrey Fine’s therapy dogs, PJ and Hart, recognizes a student for their commitment to scholarship in human-animal interaction and animal-assisted intervention. Deadline April 30. t.e2ma.net/click/bz2jes...

Research Summary: (Self-)caring with Companion Animals – How Animals Shape Rest and Relaxation — Society for Companion Animal Studies Research Summary: (Self-)caring with Companion Animals – How Animals Shape Rest and Relaxation. By SCAS Communications Volunteer, Dr. Lori Hoy.

Read the Latest SCAS Research Summary by Dr. Lori Hoy: (Self-)caring with Companion Animals – How Animals Shape Rest and Relaxation. Study by McGlacken Ashall 2025.

www.scas.org.uk/blogs/resear...

Last chance to register! (closes tomorrow - 8 Apr at noon UK time). FREE. Recording available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986034295...

The Senedd votes to ban Greyhound racing in Wales to protect animal welfare | Welsh Government News The Senedd has today voted in favour of protecting greyhounds in Wales from the harms of racing. The Bill will prohibit greyhound racing in Wales.

Greyhound racing is officially banned in Wales! The Senedd voted in favour of a Bill that will prohibit greyhound racing in Wales.
A transition period to allow the industry to wind down responsibly, strengthen rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds.
media.service.gov.wales/news/the-sen...

The Senedd votes to ban Greyhound racing in Wales to protect animal welfare | Welsh Government News The Senedd has today voted in favour of protecting greyhounds in Wales from the harms of racing. The Bill will prohibit greyhound racing in Wales.

Greyhound racing is officially banned in Wales! The Senedd voted in favour of a Bill that will prohibit greyhound racing in Wales.
A transition period to allow the industry to wind down responsibly, strengthen rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds.
media.service.gov.wales/news/the-sen...

Sign the Petition Allow pets to travel with UK citizens during emergency evacuations

Please consider signing this petition to allow pets to travel with UK citizens during emergency evacuations (as other countries have done):
www.change.org/p/allow-pets...

Companion Rabbits Companion Rabbits: Scientific Insights into Behaviour, Welfare, and the Owner–Rabbit Relations

Registration open for our May Webinar, "Companion Rabbits: Scientific Insights into Behaviour, Welfare, and the Owner–Rabbit Relations" with Dr. Carol Tinga. Free for members, and a small fee (£6.15) for non-members. Recording available. 🐇🐇🐇

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986072687...

The Things People Carry When conflict strikes, animals are victims too.

A thoughtful article written by Harry Eckman:
animalservicesprofessionals.substack.com/p/the-things...

Reflections on pioneering HAI research: An interview with James Serpell Emeritus Professor James Serpell talks to Dr. Sandra McCune about his research career and the development of Human-Animal Studies

You are not going to want to miss the next SCAS Webinar: An interview with James Serpell by Sandra McCune. FREE to EVERYONE. Recordings available to registered participants.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reflection...

Play and Creative Arts Therapist & Animal Assisted Services. World Storytelling Day. — Society for Companion Animal Studies By SCAS Communications Officer, Judith Bellingham Animals, Stories, and Emotional Connection Stories have always helped humans understand the world passing on values, exploring emotions, an...

Today is World Story Telling Day (20 March). SCAS loves a good story! Read our new blog written by SCAS Communications Officer, Judith Bellingham.
www.scas.org.uk/blogs/play-and-creative-arts-therapist-amp-animal-assisted-servicesnbspworld-storytelling-day

Research Summary: The Impact of Dog Ownership on Adolescent Well-Being via the Microbiome — Society for Companion Animal Studies By SCAS Communications Volunteer, Raghad Hussein This study explores how living with dogs influences the mental health and social behavior of adolescents, specifically investigating whether the gu...

Research Summary on “The Impact of Dog Ownership on Adolescent Well-Being via the Microbiome” written by SCAS Communications Volunteer Raghad Hussein.
www.scas.org.uk/blogs/65a51s...

2026 Conference — My Dog is My Home

My Dog Is My Home Conference 2026. March 24–26. Online. Dedicated to increasing access to shelter and housing for people experiencing homelessness with companion animals. www.mydogismyhome.org/2026-confere...

Sign Petition: More Than 1,000 Dogs Killed, with 300 Dumped in a Mass Grave in South of India India's stray dog population is one of the largest in the entire world. A properly-implemented spay-and-neuter program would help. (46138 signatures on petition)

Over the past month, around 1,000 dogs have been illegally mass killed in the southern Indian state of Telangana. Please sign the petition to demand the government of India prioritize humane alternatives for population control:
www.thepetitionsite.com/240/863/745/

Wonderful News! Minister Peacock to relaunch the Tackling Loneliness Hub -an online forum for people working on loneliness to share insights, research, and best practice. Companion animals play an essential role in alleviating loneliness for many too. tacklinglonelinesshub.org

Caring for the Unconventional: Exotic Pets, Policy, & Welfare Vulnerability Dr. Helen Tedds

Register now for the next SCAS Webinar by Dr. Helen Tedds (recordings available). Webinars are FREE to SCAS members and £6.13 for non-members.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982348453...

When faced with homelessness many face an impossible choice: accept a bed and give up their companion or stay outside so they can stay together. Most choose the streets. Street Paws aims to change that. Please help by signing the petition!
streetpaws.org.uk/campaign

Conference 2026 - ICAM

The ICAM International Conference on Humane Dog & Cat Population Management is a free online event (8-12 June 2026). Call for abstracts is now open for 15-minute presentations: www.icam-coalition.org/conference-2...

The WALTHAM Foundation funds research that seeks to make “A Better World for Pets”. Applications are now open for awards of up to £25,000. No national restrictions. Closing date: 31st March 2026. www.waltham.com/grants-awards

SCAS-Funded Research: Past, Present and Future Presenters: Dr Kris Hill & Dr Clare Thomas-Pino

The call for applications for the 2026 round of SCAS-funded research projects open on 9 Feb, and the next SCAS Webinar will be invaluable to anyone considering applying. Recording available. FREE to non-members (our Webinars are always free to members).

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1975236742...

SCAS-Funded Research: Past, Present and Future Presenters: Dr Kris Hill & Dr Clare Thomas-Pino

This Webinar is FREE to non-members too (our Webinars are always free to members). We want to show off all the amazing results our grantees have been able to achieve. Pls. consider joining SCAS & supporting our continued efforts to fund excellent research.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1975236742...

Research related to in-classroom training of assistance dogs was supported by a 2024 student project awarded to Lindsey Person (supervised by Greg Elvers) who have recently published in the findings of their study in Animals (open access). doi.org/10.3390/ani1...

New paper based on research supported by a SCAS 2022 pump-priming grant awarded to Daniel Allen.
Holdsworth et al. (2026) ‘(No) Pets on University Campuses: ‘Animaling’ Citizenship for Pet-Friendly Spaces’ The Geographical Journal e70062. doi.org/10.1111/geoj....

#AnimalGeographies

Missed the January SCAS Webinar, “What’s in it for the Dogs” by Dr. Ana Vieira de Castro? No worries! You can now purchase the recording for £5 by contacting info@scas.org.uk

SCAS-Funded Research: Past, Present and Future Presenters: Dr Kris Hill & Dr Clare Thomas-Pino

The call for 2026 SCAS-funded projects opens soon. Sign up for the next SCAS Webinar to learn about SCAS-funded research - especially valuable to those considering submitting a proposal. Recordings available. Free to SCAS members & £6.13 for non-members.’
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scas-funde...

What’s in it for the dogs? Assessing a prison-based dog training program Presenter: Dr Ana Catarina Vieira de Castro

Still time to register for the next SCAS webinar on 14 Jan (+ recording available)! SCAS Webinars are FREE to members (Annual membership is £25 and only £15 for students) and non-members can join for a small fee (£6.13).
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1975236489...

Animals & Society Institute has closed, but their legacy lives on! Thank you ASI for all you have done to further human-animal studies. Initiatives implemented by ASI have been taken over by other organisations & resources remain freely available. www.animalsandsociety.org

The Netherlands have banned new ownership of Scottish Fold and Sphynx cats. As of 1 January 2026 it is illegal to breed, sell or buy one of these cats and those who are currently owned must be microchipped and cannot be shown at cat shows or events.
uevp.fve.org/news/the-net...

Celebrating Success: A Year in Perspective at SCAS — Society for Companion Animal Studies It is that time of year to reflect on the previous 12 months and look towards the new year. 2025 has been an exciting year for SCAS, and we have big plans for 2026!  As a member-based charity, S...

Celebrating Success: A Year in Perspective at SCAS.
2025 has been an exciting year for SCAS, and we have big plans for 2026!
www.scas.org.uk/blogs/celebr...
#SCAS #CompanionAnimals #Pets