Half of adults think animals working for humans is a thing of the past
Almost half of adults think animals doing work too challenging for humans is a thing of the past.
A poll of 2,000 Brits found 59 per cent rarely, or never, see working animals in their daily life. Yet, donkeys are still used to deliver water where there’s no piped supply, falcons deter other birds at airports and rats help detect landmines.
The majority hadn’t heard of horses being used to take children to school (79 per cent) and donkeys being used as informal ambulances (77 per cent).
The research was commissioned by animal welfare charity Working Animals International – formerly SPANA – in line with launching its new brand name.
It also found 41 per cent admitted they don’t often, or ever, think about animals being used for work. Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) think animals working with humans is something we’ve largely chosen not to think about in society.
Linda Edwards, chief executive from the charity said: “The research shows that while many people recognise the importance of working animals, their role in supporting communities around the world is still not widely understood.
“Working animals such as horses, donkeys, mules, oxen and camels play a vital role in the lives of millions of people.
“They help families earn an income, transport goods to market and ensure that children get to school, yet too often, their welfare is overlooked.
“For over a century, we have worked alongside animal owners to improve access to skills, advice and veterinary care, so that working animals can live healthy lives and be properly valued.”
The research also found, when it comes to historical roles, only 20 per cent were aware ferrets have been used to help lay underground cable and 83 per cent hadn’t heard of dalmatians working alongside horse-drawn carts.
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) reckon the UK public generally underestimates how much work animals still do for humans.
Construction or infrastructure support was the type of work animals do which surprised respondents the most (31 per cent). Others were shocked to learn they have assisted humans in detection or sensing work (29 per cent) and healthcare or therapeutic support (20 per cent).
But those polled, via OnePoll, think animals are favoured over machines for certain jobs because they can access areas which machinery can’t (59 per cent), they’re cheaper (42 per cent) and faster (32 per cent).
The fact the topic isn’t widely spoken about was the top reason Brits reckon were unaware of working animals today (20 per cent), followed by the assumption such jobs have been replaced by technology (18 per cent).
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) think it’s important there is a record of how many working animals there are in the world and 46 per cent reckon the level of care and attention they receive globally is insufficient.
Linda Edwards added: “We are proud to be launching our new brand and name, Working Animals International. It reflects both who we are today and the global scale of our work to improve animal welfare and campaign on their behalf.
“It is encouraging that the survey shows strong public support for recognising working animals more formally.
“We agree and are calling on governments across the world to include working animals in their censuses, as a lack of data makes it difficult to protect their welfare.”
Top 10 working animals Brits are least aware of
- Horses being used to take children to school
- Rats detecting landmines
- Donkeys being used as informal ambulances to get people to hospital
- Donkeys working on construction sites
- Dolphins detecting undersea explosives
- Goats clearing land to prevent wildfires
- Horses used to remove logs from forests
- Donkeys delivering water where there’s no piped supply
- Goats clearing vegetation and brambles
- Falcons being used to deter other birds at airports