Feline fashion at the Cat Film Furstival

Enjoying the goodies at the Cat Film Furstival.

The RSPCA’s inaugural Cat Film Furstival in Sydney this weekend brought out the cat-lover in everyone, with the most extensive array of feline-themed tee-shirts, tights, dresses, headwear and handbags I’ve ever seen. Clearly there were some items that people had been hiding away until the right occasion appeared.

Subtle, no. Feline, yes. The ultimate cat handbag.

I am no street-style blogger, nor am I as discerning as Anna Wintour, but I did my best to capture a few stylish moments.

You know that old thing about cat owners morphing to look like their cats? It happens with cat tee-shirt owners as well.

In a nod to the fact that cat videos have quietly taken over the internet, the festival showcased a collection of short pieces that earned cries of “ooooh ooooh ooooh, I’ve seen this one it’s HILARIOUS” from the crowd.

And you'll need a big cat hair clip to stop your hair sticking to the temporary cat-tatt on your cheek.

It’s nice to know when one goes out it is somehow helping less fortunate cats and kittens, even if they couldn't be present (can you imagine the chaos?). 

Crowned-caped-cat-tee. Tres chic.

The RSPCA is looking to showcase Australian videos next year, so if you think your cat is a star (and please, no videos in which cats are hurt/freaked out/stressed out), email events@rspcansw.org.au

One of the smiling volunteers sporting a super shirt.

Weekend reading: anthrozoology

...and some we pose for photos with interesting books (in exchange for Greenies - don't worry, Mike doesn't do anything for free).

If you’re interested in human-animal interactions, or ever wondered why our attitudes to animals seem inconsistent, one book I can recommend is Hal Herzog’s “SomeWe Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard To Think Straight AboutAnimals” by Hal Herzog (Harper Perennial).

As the title suggests, most of us have inconsistent beliefs about animals that don’t stand up to the most casual analysis:

“How can 60% of Americans believe simultaneously that animals have the right to live and people have the right to eat them? Andrew looked up at me and said, ‘The only consistency in the way humans think about animals is inconsistency.’ This book is my attempt to explain this paradox.”p13

Herzog, an anthrozoologist (check his site here), doesn’t get all high-and-mighty and judgemental, but he does a brilliant job of looking at the psychology, science and arguments around our approaches to animals.

Inconsistency in moral and ethical beliefs is, he argues, human nature.

“The paradoxes that plague our interactions with other animals are due to the fact that much of our thinking is a mire of instinct, learning, language, culture, intuition, and our reliance on mental shortcuts.”p39

Indeed, throughout the book Herzog makes a very persuasive argument that

“Most people’s views about the treatment of other species exemplify what psychologists call ‘non-attitudes’ or ‘vacuous attitudes’. These are superficial collections of largely unrelated and isolated opinions, not [a] coherent belief system…”p240

This is a rare book that is very accessible, a fascinating read, yet seems to do justice to the science it summarises. Herzog is honest in subjecting his own beliefs to critical analysis, and it’s also a great introduction to anthrozoology.

If you’re in Sydney this weekend don’t miss the RSPCA’s Reigning Cats and Dogs festival in Glebe (details in this post).

Support for veterinarians and human animal interactions research grants

Ellie May and Chiana share a bed.

Most dog bites are preventable, with dogs typically giving plenty of warning before biting humans. One of the messages that Dr Sophia Yin was trying to get out there is that we can learn to pick up those cues. Check out this collaboration between here and canine-cartoonist Lili Chin (illustrator of this SAT’s amazing logo).

In honour of Dr Yin, the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) has scheduled a special rounds entitled “Dealing with Your and Your Colleague’s Stress and Depression.”

The session will be introduced by long-time advisor, mentor and friend to Dr Yin, Dr Jim Wilson DVM JD. It will then be lead by Susan Cohen DSW, a social worker and therapist at the Animal Medical Centre in Manhattan, NY.

To attend, log in to VIN, hit ROUNDS and click on ATTEND THIS SESSION.

Close up.

On this theme, Auburn University in the US is running a survey in collaboration with VIN and the CDC on the mental health needs of vets. It takes about ten minutes, click here to do the survey.

If you’re working in the area of human animal interactions, the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) is looking for projects to fund.  

Addressing Evidence-based Health Benefits of Human-Animal InteractionDeadline: December 1, 2014, by 11:59 p.m. ESTThe Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation is calling for research proposals to investigate the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or animal-assisted activity or therapy, both for the people and the animals involved. HABRI is interested in proposals that involve a variety of pet species (i.e. dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, small animals). Proposals should focus on innovative approaches to studying the health effects of animals on humans within the following broad categories:

• Child Health and Development

• Healthy Aging

• Mental Health and Wellness

HABRI is a nonprofit organization that seeks to demonstrate that our relationship with pets and animals makes the world a better place by significantly improving human health and quality of life. HABRI does this by advancing the growing body of evidence about the positive roles that companion animals play in the integrated health of individuals, families and communities.Application, review and oversight of HABRI research awards will be managed by Morris Animal Foundation. Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The Foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for companion animals, horses and wildlife.To access information regarding this call for proposals, please click hereFor more information about HABRI, please visit www.habri.org.

Finally given the very sad news this week I am extending entries for our Australian Museum talk competition. Folks, you now have until October 7 to get those entries in. See here. 

Goodbye Dr Sophia Yin

Dr Sophia Yin.

The veterinary world is reeling following the announcement of the sudden, unexpected death of renowned behaviourist Dr Sophia Yin yesterday. More information is available here (please be aware this contains upsetting information).

Dr Yin (48 years young) was a passionate believer in the importance of understanding animal behaviour, the need for low-stress animal handling, and the importance of rewarding rather than punishing pets. She knew that the way we handle companion animals - as pets, as vets, as strangers approaching them on the street - could impact their welfare positively or negatively, and wanted to tip the scales on the positive side. Her website is a wonderful trove of resources that demonstrate how to apply these principles.

She created educational resources which she made available for free on her website (you can download these here).

She took her message around the world, speaking at conferences including in Australia. She even visited some remote Indigenous communities in Australia to help put together AMRRIC’s “Staying Safe Around Dogs: Living and working with dogs in remote communities” DVD (launched in Darwin just last week).

She wanted to be a vet since she was a little kid, and is the kind of person many of us want to be when we (eventually) grow up.

What a legacy. We join many others, not just from Australia but around the world, in honouring Dr Yin and sending our condolences to her family. She really did make the world a better place for animals, and we know that those she taught - tirelessly - will continue to do so. 

You can read more in Steve Dale's heartfelt article here.