On April 22-23, 2023, the AVMA will host a Virtual Animal Welfare Assessment Contest® (AWJAC®). This virtual contest will include scenarios featuring potbellied pigs and broiler breeder chickens. There will be presentations about managing housing systems and a poster gallery. You can learn about the contest, its history, this year’s virtual format, and more on our website www.awjac.org.
The Animal Welfare Assessment Contest is an educational tool for enhancing understanding and awareness of welfare issues affecting animals used for human purposes (e.g., research, agriculture, entertainment, companionship). During the contest participants will review computer-based presentations of animals in comparable situations. Participants then utilize physiological and behavioral indicators to analyze the welfare of the animals in the given situations and present their assessment orally to expert judges. This contest promotes objective assessment of animal welfare based on scientific theory and data while providing participants with the opportunity to improve their critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning skills.
All contest information and the link to online registration are at www.awjac.org.
