Research Guides: Animal Studies: Reference Sources

Become a better researcher - try using Subject Headings

Subject headings are words and phrases which constitute a "controlled vocabulary" to categorize books by subject field. Subject headings often indicate the contents of books in terms that their titles (or your keywords) do not use, which often may be very general.

Use general subject headings for searching a broad topic or more specific subject headings for a specific author, historical period, or animal. You will find (more) headings specific to the subject category within the left-hand facets in the library catalog. If you want to see the subject headings for a specific title, click on the "details" link in the title record.

Here are some examples of subject headings:

Animal behavior
Animals in literature
Animal welfare
Animals (Philosophy) -- History -- 20th century
Dogs -- Poetry
Human-animal relationships
Pets - Drama
Social behavior in animals
Wildlife conservationists -- India -- Biography

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Evolution by Mark Pagel
Call Number: QH360.2 .E54 (electronic resource)

A comprehensive guide to the essentials of evolutionary biology, these entries by leading experts survey essential concepts and theories, present methods, models and findings, and discuss both the history of the field and current controversies. Readers will find brief treatments on discrete concepts and individuals to illuminating lengthy essays by towering figures in the field.
The encyclopedia of farm animal nutrition by M.F. Fuller
Call Number: SF94.65 .E53 2004 (electronic resource)

The Encyclopedia of Farm Animal Nutrition deals with the whole of farm animal nutrition, embracing a wide range of disciplines, including physiology, biochemistry, veterinary medicine and feed technology.The encyclopedia contains approximately 2000 entries from 90 contributors. These entries range from short definitions to more discursive articles, all entries are fully cross-referenced to aid further research.The encyclopedia covers every type of farm animal found in both developing and developed countries, including cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, goats, horses, fish, deer, buffaloes, rabbits and camelids, as well as ducks, turkeys, ostriches and other birds.
The Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art by Hope B. Werness
Call Number: GR705 .W47 2003 Reference Center Non-circulating

The focus of the encyclopedia is on animals and their symbolism in diverse world cultures and in different eras of human history. Main, general entries on cultural, chronological and geographical areas include cross-references to specific cultures discussed in greater detail. Other broader entries address the significance of animals in their own environments (e.g., architecture of animals, tools used by animals), and still others deal with animals in the human sphere (e.g., pet animals, zoo). The ways that people think about animals and what people do to and with animals as a result are discussed in more theoretical entries, such as anomalous animal and complimentary duality.
Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior by Jae C. Choe
Call Number: Electronic resource

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, Second Edition, the latest update since the 2010 release, builds upon the solid foundation established in the first edition. Updated sections include Host-parasite interactions, Vertebrate social behavior, and the introduction of 'overview essays' that boost the book's comprehensive detail. The structure for the work is modified to accommodate a better grouping of subjects. Some chapters have been reshuffled, with section headings combined or modified. Represents a one-stop resource for scientifically reliable information on animal behavior Provides comparative approaches, including the perspective of evolutionary biologists, physiologists, endocrinologists, neuroscientists and psychologists Includes multimedia features in the online version that offer accessible tools to readers looking to deepen their understanding
Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics by David M Kaplan editor
Call Number: Electronic resource

The start of the 21st century has seen intensified debate, discussion, and criticism of food and agriculture. Scholars, activists, and citizens increasingly question the goals and ethical rationale behind production, distribution and consumption of food, and the use of crops for fuel and fiber. These wide-ranging debates encompass questions in human nutrition, animal rights, and the environmental impacts of agricultural production. The encyclopedia provides a detailed analysis of these issues and hundreds of other topics including the use of antibiotics in animal feedlots, the Green Revolution, organic farming, Islam and Food, and cannibalism.

Animal Related Organizations and Resources

Animals and Society Institute
The Animals and Society Institute develops knowledge in the field of human-animal studies, supports the practice to address the relation between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, and promotes action to protect animals by advocating the adoption of ethical and compassionate public policies. We are an independent research and educational organization.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aminals (ASPCA)
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Our mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization, backed by 11 million Americans. We help animals by advocating for better laws to protect animals; conducting campaigns to reform industries; providing animal rescue and emergency response; investigating cases of animal cruelty; and caring for animals through our sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers, emergency shelters and clinics.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.
HABRI Central: Resources for the Study of Human-Animal Bond and the Human Animal Bond Hub
The Human Animal Bond Hub explores the mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both. This includes but is not limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of people, other animals, and the environment.
Dr. Temple Grandin's Webpage on Livestock Behaviour, Design of Facilities and Humane Slaughter
Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. In North America, almost half of the cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system that she designed for meat plants. Curved chute and race systems she has designed for cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce stress on their animals during handling. Other areas of research are: cattle temperament, environmental enrichment for pigs, reducing dark cutters and bruises, bull fertility, training procedures, and effective stunning methods for cattle and pigs at meat plants.
Animal Legal & Historical Center from Michigan State University
The Animal Law and History Web Center is a project of the Michigan State University College of Law, under the editorship of Professor David Favre and Rebecca Wisch. It first opened in August of 2002. While a number of good sites about animal issues exist on the web, there is no one place that brings together, in a comprehensive manor, all pieces of the legal puzzle in useable formats.
Animal Studies Bibliography from Michigan State University
Linda Kalof, Seven Bryant, and Amy Fitzgerald from the Animal Studies Program at Michigan State University have compiled a fabulous bibliography that organizes material on animal studies into a number of sub-categories for easier searching. We hold most of the texts and journals that are listed in the bibliography.