This book is devoted to the welfare of invertebrates which make up 99% of animal species on
earth. Addressing animal welfare we do not often think of invertebrates in fact we seldom
consider them to be deserving of welfare evaluation. And yet we should. Welfare is a broad
concern for any animal that we house control or utilize - and we utilize invertebrates a lot.
The Authors start with an emphasis on the values of non-vertebrate animals and discuss the need
for a book on the present topic. The following chapters focus on specific taxa tackling
questions that are most appropriate to each one. What is pain in crustaceans and how might we
prevent it? How do we ensure that octopuses are not bored? What do bees need to thrive
pollinate our plants and give us honey? Since invertebrates have distinct personalities and
some social animals have group personalities how do we consider this? And as in the European
Union's application of welfare consideration to cephalopods how do the practical regulatory
issues play out? We have previously relegated invertebrates to the category 'things' and did
not worry about their treatment. New research suggest that some invertebrates such as
cephalopods and crustaceans can have pain and suffering might also have consciousness and
awareness. Also good welfare is going to mean different things to spiders bees corals etc.
This book is taking animal welfare in a very different direction. Academics and students of
animal welfare science those who keep invertebrates for scientific research or in service to
the goals of humans as well as philosophers will find this work thought-provoking instructive
and informative.
