CAT PROJECTS &
PUBLICATIONS
Photo credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen
Animal Welfare Literacy
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One of CATs main goals is to increase global literacy on the ethics and welfare of animals used in tourism. We will do this, primarily, through the implementation of the Tourism Animal Welfare Literacy (TAWL) scale. Other frameworks such as the scales of justice, animal health warning labels, and audits of animal suffering in organizations will also be used to make change. These and other models can be found in the "From the Directors' Desks" section at the bottom of this page
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Knowledge Translation
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Key sources of academic knowledge will be identified and translated for ease of use by practitioners in the animal-based tourism sector. The main study driving the knowledge translation process can be found here:
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Just Living Alliance
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A unique project designed to document negative and positive examples of captive animal venues. We will donate sales of the book to the most innovative global sanctuaries. The guidelines for this project can be found here:
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Industry Assessment Tools
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We are in the process of developing two key industry assessment tools that will provide leadership and guidance on best practices in animal-based tourism. Stay tuned to this space!
Photo credit: Marina Zvada
Physiological Indicators​
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Graduate student work is presently underway on conceptualizing the physiological impacts on the so-called "Beasts of Burden", including donkeys, camels, horses, and yaks. Tools include Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, Holter monitoring, Infrared Thermography (IRT), and Automated Feeding Systems. We aim to work with veterinarians and biologists to measure impacts from tourism.​
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Supporting Research
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One of our main goals is to raise enough money on a sustained basis to fund collaborative research that furthers the goals and objectives of CAT. Includes faculty as well as graduate students.
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Ecotourism
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We support the principles of ecotourism to ensure that development takes place that not only benefits communities (as well as protected areas and other stakeholders) but also emphasizes positive animal welfare and species conservation outcomes.
From the Directors' Desks​
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A selection of books on animal-based tourism, ecotourism, nature-based tourism and sustainable tourism, and academic articles on animal-based tourism.​
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