CAT PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS
Our record of the work behind everything CAT does.
CAT's work is grounded in over 25 years of published academic research on animal welfare, ecotourism, and tourism ethics. This page is a living record of that work, including active projects, practical tools for operators and tourists, and the academic publications that sit behind everything CAT does.
All of it is made available here because the knowledge that can change this industry should be accessible to everyone who wants to use it.
7
active & forthcoming projects
26 yrs
of peer-reviewed research
6
downloadable frameworks & tools
∞
open-access, no paywall
ACTIVE PROJECTS
What CAT is working on.
Each of the projects below sits inside CAT's four-pillar structure of research, education, conservation, and community development. Where our downloads exist, they are open and completely free. Our work is still in development, we must state that plainly.
Project i.
Animal Welfare Literacy
ACTIVE · TOOLS AVAILABLE
EDUCATION & LITERACY
One of CAT's primary goals is to increase global literacy on the ethics and welfare of animals used in tourism. The principal tool driving this work is the Tourism Animal Welfare Literacy scale, known as the TAWL scale.
Additional frameworks including the scales of justice, animal health warning labels, and organizational audits of animal suffering are also part of this work. Together these tools give tourists, operators, and policymakers a practical means of understanding and acting on animal welfare in tourism contexts.
DOWNLOADS
2 FILES
Project ii.
Knowledge Translation
ACTIVE · TOOLS AVAILABLE
RESEARCH
Academic research on animal welfare in tourism is only useful if it reaches the people working in the industry. CAT's knowledge translation program identifies key sources of research and translates them into practical, accessible tools for operators, policymakers, and communities working in animal-based tourism.
The primary study driving this process is available to download.
DOWNLOADS
1 FILES
Project iii.
Just Living Alliance
ACTIVE · ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
COMMUNITY
A unique project designed to document both negative and positive examples of captive animal venues around the world. The findings will be published, with proceeds from sales donated to the most innovative global sanctuaries.
Full project guidelines and participant information are available to download.
DOWNLOADS
2 FILES
Project iv.
Industry Assessment Tools
IN DEVLOPEMENT
RESEARCH · OPERATORS
CAT is currently developing two key industry assessment tools that will provide leadership and guidance on best practices in animal-based tourism. These tools will give operators a clear, science-backed framework for evaluating and improving their practices.
More information will be available here as development progresses.
Two assessment tools currently in development with the CAT research team.
Project v.
Physiological Indicators
FORTHCOMING
GRADUATE RESEARCH
Graduate student research is currently underway on conceptualizing the physiological impacts of tourism on working animals, including donkeys, camels, horses, and yaks.
Tools under consideration include GPS technology, Holter monitoring, Infrared Thermography, and Automated Feeding Systems. CAT aims to work with veterinarians and biologists to measure the impacts of tourism on these animals.
Findings will be published as the work progresses.
Project vii.
Ecotourism
ACTIVE · FRAMEWORK AVAILABLE
CONSERVATION
CAT supports the principles of ecotourism as a model for tourism development that benefits local communities, protected areas, and other stakeholders, while prioritizing positive animal welfare and species conservation outcomes.
The basics of ecotourism as a framework are available to download.
DOWNLOADS
1 FILES
FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
Books and academic publications.
A selection of books on animal-based tourism, ecotourism, nature-based tourism, and sustainable tourism, alongside academic articles on animal welfare and ethics in tourism. This body of work represents the research foundation on which CAT was built.
It is made available here for tourists, operators, researchers, policymakers, and anyone who wants to understand the science behind the mission.
