'The internet is made of cats' is a half-jokingly made claim. Today animals of all shapes and
sizes inhabit our digital spaces including companion animals wildlife feral animals and
livestock. In this book Deborah Lupton explores how digital technologies and datafication are
changing our relationships with other animals. Playfully building on the concept of 'The
Internet of Things' she discusses the complex feelings that have developed between people and
animals through the use of digital devices from social media to employing animal-like robots
as companions and carers. The book brings together a range of perspectives including those of
sociology cultural geography environmental humanities critical animal studies and internet
studies to consider how these new digital technologies are contributing to major changes in
human-animal relationships at both the micropolitical and macropolitical levels. As Lupton
shows while digital devices and media have strengthened people's relationships to other
creatures these technologies can also objectify animals as things for human entertainment
therapy or economic exploitation. This original and engaging book will be of interest to
scholars and students across the social sciences and humanities.
