Animal Tracker: Wave 1 (2008)

 

What do people think of animal protection issues and animal advocates? Do consumers change their actions in response to outside influences or personal concern for animal welfare? How are those attitudes and behaviors changing over time?

These questions and others are addressed by the Humane Research Council's Animal Tracker, an annual tracking survey launched in 2008. Please see below for the press release. Note: We are still accepting sponsors for this collaborative study If interested, please contact HRC.

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July 15, 2008

Survey Shows Overwhelming Public Support for Animals, Advocates

Seven in 10 U.S. adults (70%) support the goal of minimizing and eventually eliminating all forms of animal cruelty and suffering. About the same proportion (72%) has a “favorable” opinion of the animal protection movement. This according to the first annual survey called the Animal Tracker, a new project from the Humane Research Council.

Among the other findings:

  • With 72% of U.S. adults saying they have a favorable opinion, animal protection ranks among the top three social causes (of eight listed in the survey) and ahead of environmentalism.
  • More than 70% say that the welfare and protection of animals is very or somewhat important to them.
  • Four in five (80%) support using investigations to expose animal cruelty, 76% support working with the media, and 71% support speaking in school schools to advocate for animals.
  • Animal protection groups rank second to only veterinarians when it comes to credibility regarding animal welfare information (of eight sources listed).
  • 72% would support a law requiring that farm animals including pigs, cows, and chickens are provided with enough space to behave naturally.
  • 78% believe that teaching humane education to K‐12 and college students is very or somewhat important.
  • 70% agree that "protecting endangered or threatened species should be a global priority."

“The Animal Tracker results show unprecedented levels of public support for the welfare and protection of all kinds of animals,” said Che Green, Executive Director of the Humane Research Council. “The survey indicates that a vast majority of people identify with both animal advocates and the notion of eliminating animal suffering.”

This Animal Tracker survey is the first in a series of annual surveys of attitudes and behavior among U.S. adults. The survey provides a baseline assessment of key perceptions and actions taken on behalf of animals. The inaugural Animal Tracker survey was completed in June 2008 and results are based on a sample size of more than 1,500 U.S. adults. The survey was fielded using the Knowledge Networks panel, which combines off-line random digit dialing techniques with online panel research capabilities.

The first annual Animal Tracker survey was sponsored by a consortium of organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Welfare Trust, The Humane Society of the United States, American Humane Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Farm Sanctuary, and World Society for the Protection of Animals (USA). The Humane Research Council initiated, planned, and carried out the study.

To learn more about the Animal Tracker or obtain a list of the verbatim questions asked, please contact the Humane Research Council – see http://www.humaneresearch.org/.

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