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Saturday, 26 July 2025

1:00 PM - 2:15 pM

West End 1

From Evidence to Application: Choice's Empirical Benefit & a Novel Training Strategy for Promoting Animal-Led Choices

Kelli Rust¹, Isabella Clegg², & Eduardo Fernandez¹

¹The University of Adelaide; ²Animal Welfare Expertise

Abstract: Empowering animals through increased choice opportunities within their environment is increasingly recognised as a key contributor to welfare. This presentation summarises findings from my publication The Voice of Choice: A Scoping Review of Choice-Based Animal Welfare Studies (Rust et al., 2024). The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate and report peer-reviewed studies which investigated the quantitative welfare outcomes of offering managed animals increased choice opportunities. The research question guiding this review was: What is the empirical behavioural and physiological welfare impact of providing managed animals- across any setting - with increased choice opportunities? Results revealed that although choice is heavily emphasised as a gold-standard welfare management strategy, few empirical studies have actually explored choice's quantitative impact on behavioural or physiological outputs—highlighting a critical gap in applied animal research.

To bridge theory with application, I will present a training procedure involving a concept behaviour titled You Choose. This behaviour enables animals to make functional selections between potential enrichment devices or rewards during training sessions, and this portion will cover video demonstrations with animals, along with a step-by-step training pyramid for conditioning the "You Choose" behaviour. This behaviour is part of an up-coming, peer-reviewed publication and supports the use of concept training as a welfare-enhancing strategy. Implications are relevant for trainers across diverse settings—including zoos, shelters, farms, and companion animal settings—seeking to promote novel methods which promote animal-led choices.

Target Audience: For trainers of all levels working with domestic, shelter, farm, or zoo animals seeking evidence-based, welfare-enhancing research information and training strategies.

Learning Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

How to train and implement a concept-based behaviour that facilitates animal-led choice for environmental enrichment or structured training session contexts.
Identify the behavioural, physiological, and welfare-related benefits of providing animals with choice opportunities in managed care environments.
Differentiate between preference assessment versus choice study designs, and explain the relevance when assessing choice on welfare.
Generate a sample training plan that includes a choice-based concept behaviour, incorporating measurable criteria for success and generalisation.
Apply the principles of stimulus control, shaping, and reinforcement history to the development of concept behaviours in animals.

One Welfare Approach in Enhancing Welfare in Shelter Environments

Liam Clay

AABA consultants, FPTA, UQ

Abstract: This presentation is dedicated to improving the well-being of animals in shelter environments. The shelter experience can be incredibly stressful for animals, impacting their behaviour, health, and adoptability. In this event, we will explore strategies to alleviate stressors, promote positive behaviours, and enhance the human-animal bond, ultimately ensuring successful adoptions and retention in forever homes.

Shelter animals face a myriad of stressors, from unfamiliar surroundings and limited socialisation to the absence of routine and stability. These stressors can manifest in various adverse behaviours, including fearfulness, aggression, and withdrawal, hindering their chances of adoption and long-term success in adoptive homes. However, by implementing targeted interventions aimed at alleviating stress and promoting emotional well-being, shelters can make a significant difference in the lives of their animals.

Attendees will delve into practical strategies for providing shelter animals with a sense of control and predictability, teaching them active coping techniques, strengthening the human-animal bond through positive interactions, and reinforcing positive emotions. By equipping shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and behaviourists with the knowledge and tools to address the unique needs of shelter animals, "Paws for Progress" aims to stabilise lives for these animals and increase their chances of finding loving forever homes.

Target Audience: Animal shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians, animal behaviourists, and anyone involved in the care and welfare of shelter animals

Learning Objectives:

Gain an understanding of the stressors faced by animals in shelter environments: Participants will identify common stressors and their impact on animal behaviour, health, and adoptability, laying the foundation for effective intervention strategies.
Acquire practical techniques for alleviating stress and promoting positive behaviours in shelter animals: Attendees will learn how to provide animals with a sense of control and predictability, teach active coping techniques, strengthen the human-animal bond, and reinforce positive emotions, empowering them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of shelter animals

Game On: Using Play-Based Interventions to Improve Tolerance of Handling in Fearful Foster Cats

Kate Cochrane

The Lost Dogs Home

Abstract: Fear-related avoidance of physical contact is a common barrier to adoption for cats in shelter environments. This case study explores play-based interventions used to increase touch tolerance in fearful shelter cats with a history of hiding, fleeing, and defensive behaviour in response to human proximity. Behaviour modification was conducted in a home environment with two juvenile cats from an RSPCA Victoria shelter.

The target behaviour was defined as the cat voluntarily remaining near a human hand and tolerating light contact without avoidance or stress-related signals. Baseline observations included latency to make contact and duration of voluntary proximity. The intervention followed a systematic shaping plan using preferred interactive games paired with positive reinforcement, stimulus control, and choice-based participation. Adjustments were made based on preference testing and observable stress signals.

Results showed a gradual increase in handling tolerance marked by voluntary contact, approach behaviour, and decreased latency to interact. The intervention reframed physical contact from an aversive to neutral or positive through reinforcement of agency and positive associations.

This case study highlights the utility of Applied Behaviour Analysis principles in feline behaviour interventions and proposes a low-stress, evidence-based alternative to traditional desensitisation techniques used to improve adoption readiness in shelter cats.

Target Audience: Anyone working or living with cats, and attendees with an interest in choice-based positive reinforcement training.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to implement game-based training techniques and modify shaping plans in response to feline body language and stress signals.