The BC SPCA is proud to share our collection of research publications and educational articles authored by our experts and affiliated researchers with those who are also working to improve the lives of animals.
University and college students can also get involved with the BC SPCA through course-based practicums (such as UBC’s Applied Biology Practicum), veterinary and animal health technician externships and work placements. Speak to your faculty advisor first to see if you are eligible for course credit. We also welcome opportunities to work with graduate students already funded and accepted into programs to undertake animal welfare or health studies.
Companion animal welfare
Farm animal welfare
Wild animal welfare
Research animal welfare
Animal welfare policy
Companion animal welfare
Cheung, W., Ellis, A., Idle, A., Protopopova, A., & Gordon, E. (2024). Retrospective comparison of polymerase chain reaction and culture-based identification for diagnosis of Microsporum canis and Trichophyton Spp. in shelter cats and dogs. Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health 3(1). https://doi.org/10.56771/jsmcah.v3.86
Booth, A. & Otter, K. (2024). “Here, Kitty, Kitty.” Community perceptions of free-roaming cats: a Northern Canadian case study. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice 7(1). https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol7/iss1/2/
U, A.S.Y., Hou C.Y., & Protopopova, A. (2024). Rabbit intakes and predictors of their length of stay in animal shelters in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS ONE 19(4): e0300633. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300633
Koralesky, K.E., Rankin, J.M., & Fraser, D. (2023). Using institutional ethnography to analyse animal sheltering and protection I: Animal protection work. Animal Welfare 32: E44. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.39
Koralesky, K.E., Rankin, J.M., & Fraser, D. (2022). The everyday work of One Welfare in animal sheltering and protection. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 9: 430. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01455-3
Eagan, B.H., Eagan, B., & Protopopova, A. (2022). Behaviour real-time spatial tracking identification (BeRSTID) used for cat behaviour monitoring in an animal shelter. Scientific Reports 12: 17585. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22167-3
von Rentzell, K.A., van Haaften, K.A., Morris, A., & Protopopova, A. (2022).
Investigation into owner-reported differences between dogs born in versus imported into Canada. PLoS ONE 17(6): e0268885. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268885
Eagan, B.H., Gordon, E., & Protopopova, A. (2022). Reasons for guardian-relinquishment of dogs to shelters: Animal and regional predictors in British Columbia, Canada. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9: 857634. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.857634
Hou, C.Y., & Protopopova, A. (2022). Rats as pets: Predictors of adoption and surrender of pet rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS ONE 17: e0264262. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264262
Eagan, B.H., Gordon, E., & Fraser, D. (2021). The effect of animal shelter sound on cat behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare 30(4): 431-440. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.30.4.006
Ly, L.H., Gordon, E., & Protopopova, A. (2021). Inequitable flow of animals in and out of shelters: Comparison of community-level vulnerability for owner-surrendered and subsequently adopted animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 784389. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.784389
Himsworth, C.G., Leung, D., Byers, K., Joseph, T., Gordon, E., Schwantje, H., Pritchard, J., & Ambagala, A. (2021). An outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 57(4): 983-986. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00061
Schor, M., & Protopopova, A. (2021). Effect of COVID-19 on Pet Food Bank Servicing: Quantifying Numbers of Clients Serviced in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, British Columbia, Canada. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 730390. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.730390
Ellis, A., van Haaften, K.A., Protopopova, A., & Gordon, E. (2021). Effect of a provincial feline onychectomy ban on cat intake and euthanasia in a British Columbia animal shelter system. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 24(8): 739-744. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X211043820
Li, Y., Gordon, E., Idle, A., Hui, A., Chan, R., Seguin, M.A., & Delwart, E. (2021). Astrovirus outbreak in animal shelter associated with feline vomiting. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 628082. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X211043820
Li, Y., Gordon, E., Shean, R.C., Idle, A., Deng, X., Greninger, A.L., & Delwart, E. (2021). CrAssphage and its bacterial host in cat feces. Scientific Reports 11: 815. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80076-9
Ly, L.H., Gordon, E., & Protopopova, A. (2021). Exploring the relationship between human social deprivation and animal surrender to shelters in British Columbia, Canada. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 656597. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.656597
van Haaften, K.A., Grigg, E.K., Kolus, C., Hart, L., & Kogan, L.R. (2020). A survey of dog owners’ perceptions on the use of psychoactive medications and alternatives for the treatment of canine behavior problems. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 35: 27-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2019.10.002
Eagan, B.H. (2020). The effect of animal shelter sound on cat behaviour and welfare [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0394098
Gordon, E., Idle, A., & DeTar, L. (2020). Descriptive epidemiology of companion animal dermatophytosis in a Canadian Pacific Northwest animal shelter system. The Canadian Veterinary Journal 61(7): 763-770. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7296869/
Li, Y., Gordon, E., Idle, A., Altan, E., Seguin, M.A., Estrada, M., Deng, X., & Delwart, E. (2020). Virome of a feline outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting includes bocaviruses and a novel chapparvovirus. Viruses 12(5): 506. https://doi.org/10.3390/v12050506
Van der Velden, M. (2019). Is it possible to herd cats? Reporting on five years addressing cat overpopulation in British Columbia, Canada. BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/BC-SPCA-Five-Year-Review-Herding-Cats-Strategy.pdf
Makowska, I.J. (2018). Review of dog training methods: welfare, learning ability, and current standards. BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/dog-training-methods-review.pdf
Kay, A., Coe, J.B., Young, I., & Pearl, D. (2018). Factors influencing time to adoption for dogs in a provincial shelter system in Canada. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 21(4): 375-388. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2018.1436917
Fraser, D., Koralesky, K.E., & Urton, G. (2018). Toward a harmonized approach to animal welfare law in Canada. Canadian Veterinary Journal 59(3): 293-302. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29559748/
Boey, J. (2017). Working with communities to improve the quality of life of British Columbia’s free-roaming dogs and their people [MA thesis, University of Victoria]. University of Victoria. http://hdl.handle.net/1828/8805
South, C. (2016). How to say ‘spay’. BC SPCA & University of British Columbia. http://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/BC-SPCA-UBC-Research-Report-How-to-say-spay.pdf
Gourkow, N., & Phillips, C.J.C. (2015) Effect of interactions with humans on behaviour, mucosal immunity and upper respiratory disease of shelter cats rated as contented on arrival. Preventative Veterinary Medicine 121(3-4): 288-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.07.013
Gourkow, N., LaVoy, A., Dean, G.A., & Phillips, C.J.C. (2014). Associations of behaviour with secretory immunoglobulin A and cortisol in domestic cats during their first week in an animal shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 150: 55-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.006
Gourkow, N., Hamon, S.C., & Phillips, C.J.C. (2014). Effect of gentle stroking and vocalization on behaviour, mucosal immunity and upper respiratory disease in anxious shelter cats. Preventative Veterinary Medicine 117(1): 266-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.06.005
Gourkow, N., Lawson, J.H., Hamon, S.C., & Phillips, C.J.C. (2013). Descriptive epidemiology of upper respiratory disease and associated risk factors in cats in an animal shelter in coastal western Canada. Canadian Veterinary Journal 54(2): 132-138. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3552587/
MacNeil-Allcock, A., Clarke, N.M., Ledger, R.A., & Fraser, D. (2011). Aggression, behaviour, and animal care among pit bulls and other dogs adopted from an animal shelter. Animal Welfare 20(4): 463-468. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ufaw/aw/2011/00000020/00000004/art00001
Ledger, R.A., & Russ, N. (2010). The fate of cats adopted from rescue shelters in Canada (PDF). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 5(1): 35-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.10.018
Ledger, R.A. (2010). The relinquishment of rabbits to rescue shelters in Canada (PDF). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 5(1): 36-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.10.016
Morris, A. (2008). Policies to promote socialization and welfare in dog breeding [MPP thesis, Simon Fraser University]. Simon Fraser University. https://summit.sfu.ca/item/12632
Gourkow, N., & Fraser, D. (2006). The effect of housing and handling practices on the welfare, behaviour and selection of domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) by adopters in an animal shelter. Animal Welfare 15(4): 371-377. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ufaw/aw/2006/00000015/00000004/art00008
Orihel, J.S. (2006). Management and rehabilitation of inter-dog aggression in animal shelters [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0092743
Orihel, J.S., Ledger, R.A., & Fraser, D. (2005). A survey of the management of inter-dog aggression by animal shelters in Canada. Anthrozoös 18(3): 273-287. https://doi.org/10.2752/089279305785594144
Gourkow, N. (2001). Factors affecting the welfare and adoption rate of cats in an animal shelter [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0090034
Farm animal welfare
Speirs, M. (2024, June). Government advisory committee recommends significant changes to farmed animal welfare in B.C. West Coast Veterinarian, (55), 42–43. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/West-Coast-Veterinarian-M-Speirs-FAWAC.pdf
Duncan, I., Ramsay, C., & Urton, G. (2009). The scientific case against foie gras. BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/foie-gras-scientific-report.pdf
Urton, G.D.G. (2005). Feeding behaviour identifies dairy cows at risk for metritis [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0092208
Wild animal welfare
Xenakis, N., Dubois, S., Denis-Robichaud, J., & Cerri, R. (2023). Pigeons in urban landscapes: population control using OvoControl® P at TransLink SkyTrain stations. Canadian Wildlife Biology & Management 12(1): 1-12. https://cwbm.ca/pigeons-in-urban-landscapes-population-control-using-ovocontrolp-at-translink-skytrain-stations/
King, M., Giacinti, J., Dubois, S., Lair, S., Parmley, E.J., & Jardine, C.M. (2023). Using wildlife rehabilitation and postmortem data to identify key causes of morbidity and mortality impacting the health and welfare of free-living wild animals in Canada. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00178
Ryan, E.A., Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2022). A preliminary evaluation of a captive-bolt trap for commensal rodents: Humaneness, capture efficiency, and effect on non-target species. Canadian Wildlife Biology & Management 11(2): 61-70. https://cwbm.ca/a-preliminary-evaluation-of-a-captive-bolt-trap-for-commensal-rodents-humaneness-capture-efficiency-and-effect-on-non-target-species/
Ryan, E.A. (2021). Non-target interactions and humane evaluation of a captive bolt trap on commensal rodents [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0401883
Xenakis, N. (2021). Humane pigeon population management using avian contraceptive OvoControl® P at TransLink SkyTrain stations in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada [MSc thesis, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0398509
McInnes, C.J., Shuttleworth, C.M., Larsen, K.W., Everest, D.J., Bruemmer, C., Carroll, B., Romeo, C., Sainsbury, T., Crawshaw, G., Dubois, S., Gillis, L., Gilray, J., & Percival, A. (2020). Introduced Canadian eastern grey squirrels: squirrelpox virus surveillance and why nothing matters. Hystrix Italian Journal of Mammalogy 31(2): 95-98. https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00331-2020
Dubois, S. (2019). Killing for Conservation: Ethical considerations for controlling wild animals. In B. Fischer (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics (pp. 407-419). Routledge. https://researchgate.net/publication/367350181
Dubois, S. (2018). Lessons from Winnie-the-Pooh: How responsible bear tourism can teach us respect and compassion, and benefit bears. In N. Carr, D.M. Broom (Eds.), Tourism and Animal Welfare (pp. 119-125). CABI. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781786391858.0119
Dubois, S., Fenwick, N., Ryan, E.A., Baker, L., Baker, S.E., Beausoleil, N.J., Carter, S., Cartwright, B., Costa, F., Draper, C., Griffin, J., Grogan, A., Howald, G., Jones, B., Littin, K.E., Lombard, A.T., Mellor, D.J., Ramp, D., Schuppli, C.A., & Fraser, D. (2017). International consensus principles for ethical wildlife control. Conservation Biology 31(4): 753-760. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12896
(View ethical wildlife control infographic PDF of this publication)
BC SPCA. (2016). A common approach to wildlife control for animal welfare and protection organisations. Developed from discussions at the Expert Forum on Humane Wildlife Control Standards held at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada on July 27 and 28, 2015. BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/UBC-AWP-BC-SPCA-Expert-Forum-on-Humane-Wildlife-Control.pdf
Dubois, S. (2014). Understanding humane expectations: public and expert attitudes towards human-wildlife interactions [PhD dissertation, University of British Columbia]. University of British Columbia. https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0165855
Dubois, S., & Harshaw, H. (2013). Exploring “humane” dimensions of wildlife. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 18(1): 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2012.694014
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2013). Local attitudes towards bear management after illegal feeding and problem bear activity. Animals 3(3): 935-950. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani3030935
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2013). Rating harms to wildlife: a survey showing convergence between conservation and animal welfare view. Animal Welfare 22(1): 49-55. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.22.1.049
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2013). A framework to evaluate wildlife feeding in research, wildlife management, tourism and recreation. Animals 3(4): 978-994. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fani3040978
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2003). Conversations with stakeholders – 2: Contentious issues in wildlife rehabilitation. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 26(2): 8-14.
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2003). Conversations with stakeholders – 1: Goals, impediments, and relationships in wildlife rehabilitation. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 26(1): 14-22.
Dubois, S., & Fraser, D. (2003). Defining and measuring success in wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife Rehabilitation 21: 123-132.
Research animal welfare
Ormandy, E.H. (2015). Alternatives to animals in UBC undergraduate teaching: Project report. BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Ormandy-2015-alternatives-to-animals-in-UBC-undergrad-teaching.pdf
Animal welfare policy
Cant, M., & Wong Gordon, E. (2023). BC’s housing crisis: A crisis for pets, too. In C. Van’t Haaff (Ed), West Coast Veterinarian Magazine (p. 42). CVMA-SBCV Chapter. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/west-coast-veterinarian-magazine-WCV-pet-friendly-housing-article.pdf
Fenwick, N. (2023) Daycare dilemmas and grooming salon scares: The quest for humane pet services. In C. Van’t Haaff (Ed), West Coast Veterinarian Magazine (p. 45). CVMA-SBCV Chapter. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/West-Coast-Veterinarian-Magazine-The-Quest-for-Humane-Pet-Services-by-Nicole-Fenwick.pdf
Ryan, E.A. (2023). Baby wildlife 101. In C. Van’t Haaff (Ed), West Coast Veterinarian Magazine (p. 27). CVMA-SBCV Chapter. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/west-coast-veterinarian-WCV-magazine-Erin-Ryan-Baby-Wildlife-101.pdf
Fenwick, N., & van Haaften, K.A. (2022). Mind your manners: Why dog training methods matter. In C. Van’t Haaff (Ed), West Coast Veterinarian Magazine (pp. 28-33). CVMA-SBCV Chapter. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/west-coast-veterinarian-magazine-WCV-humane-dog-training-animalkind-article.pdf
Dubois, S. (2019). Voluntourism at Wildlife SOS India: Open heart, open mind. In C. Van’t Haaff (Ed), West Coast Veterinarian Magazine (pp. 34-35). CVMA-SBCV Chapter. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/west-coast-vet-magazine-wildlife-sos-Sara-Dubois.pdf
Morris, A. (2017). Animal by-laws create controversy: From dangerous dogs to feral cat colonies, backyard chickens to bees. In S.M. Gardner (Ed), Municipal World (pp. 33-34). Municipal World Inc. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Animal-By-Laws-Create-Controversy-Municipal-World.pdf
Dubois, S. (2016). Managing wildlife issues: Compassionate Conservation practices can make it easier for humans and wild animals to live together. In S.M. Gardner (Ed), Municipal World (pp. 5-7). Municipal World Inc. https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Municipal-World-Mar-2016-Dubois-feature.pdf
