SCAS

Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) is a membership charity based in the United Kingdom.

It claims to be "dedicated to understanding how interactions between people and companion animals can improve quality of life and well-being".

It provides a selection of publications to its members, offers training, funds some research, and organises conferences and events which are open to non-members.

Background

Formed nearly thirty years ago, the 'Society for Companion Animal Studies' (SCAS) was established to promote the study of human-companion animal interactions and raise awareness of the signal importance of pets in society.

Now the leading human-companion animal bond organisation in the United Kingdom. Its origin lay in 1979 when a small group of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and veterinary surgeons founded SCAS in Dundee, Scotland, by setting up the Society "to promote awareness and understanding of human - companion animal relationships".

Reputation

SCAS is seen as "a reputable, leading authority on the human-companion animal bond in the UK". It is an incorporated registered charity and also a private limited company with over 500 members, with membership spanning the globe.

SCAS has now worked in partnership with The Blue Cross animal welfare charity since 2003. It is the UK member of IAHAIO, the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations [ [http://www.iahaio.org IAHAIO (International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations) ] ] .

It works to bring this information both to the general public and to people working within relevant professions, so that it may "positively influence understanding, policy and practice".

SCAS stresses that it 'provides information, education and training on many aspects of the human-animal bond'.

Pet Bereavement Support Service

SCAS also oversea the Pet Bereavement Support Service [ [http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/AboutUs/PetBereavement/PBSSIntro.asp Pet bereavement support ] ] in conjunction with The Blue Cross animal welfare charity [ [http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/home/home.asp Blue Cross UK: Animal Welfare Charity, Animal Hospitals, Animal Adoption UK ] ] with which it has been in partnership since 2003.

Guiding principles

SCAS claims to have "five guiding principles":

To advance the understanding of relationships between people and companion animals.

To raise awareness of the human-companion animal bond by disseminating information about human-companion animal relationships.

To promote the quality of life of people and companion animals by encouraging 'responsible attitudes'.

To raise awareness of the health and social benefits of companion animal ownership.

To promote humane education, through the fostering of kindness, respect and empathy to humans and companion animals.

External links

Website

* http://www.scas.org.uk/