Pig Primer

Animals in Translation is a podcast brought to you by hosts from across the globe who talk with experts about their animal welfare work. The goal? To deconstruct animal issues into palatable pieces for listeners wanting to dig deeper into international animal welfare, ethics, or policy. Tune in monthly for new episodes.

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In this episode of Animals in Translation, Sophie and Kerri provide an informative discussion on domestic pigs, examining their intelligence, lifestyle, and preferences. They delve into the roles pigs play in society as companion animals, sources of food, and subjects of research. The conversation also addresses the cultural phenomenon of pigs as pets and the influence of media on public perception of pigs. Additionally, the hosts introduce the significance of animal welfare research and its role in establishing welfare standards within agricultural and laboratory settings. The use of gestation crates in modern industrial farming is critically examined. The principles of the 3R’s—replacement, reduction, and refinement—are explained in the context of research, alongside the necessity for transparency from institutions to foster public trust. To reduce research waste, sharing research data is presented as an effective approach to minimizing animal use in studies. The UK-based non-profit organization, Understanding Animal Research, is highlighted as an exemplary model of research data transparency. This primer is meant to prepare listeners for a deeper dive interview with Animal Welfare Researcher and Veterinarian, Inez Garcia-Sanchez, which will be available on the 15th of this month.