Those entering the veterinary field may learn more about their human and animal customers by understanding religious beliefs. Humans have a long history of sharing their lives with animals, from the Egyptians, who often were mummified with their pets so they could accompany them in eternity; to domesticated animals that provided wool or eggs; and today’s array of household pets. Religious beliefs may define how individuals feel about the animals in their care, as well as their ethical beliefs about how animals should be treated, especially in times of illness or death. Read More »

• “Dogs, Cats and Catholic Parochial Clergy in England and Wales: Exploring the Relationship Between Companion Animals and Work-related Psychological Health” by Leslie J. Francis, Douglas W. Turton and Stephen H. Louden. Mental Health, Religion & Culture. Vol. 10, No. 1 (2007): 47-60.
• “The Evolution of Morality” by Donald Maurice Broom. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Vol. 100, No. 1⁄2 (2006): 20-28.
• “Framing the Issue: Religion, Secular Ethics and the Case of Animal Rights Mobilization” by Marie Mika. Social Forces. Vol. 85, No. 2 (2006): 915-41.
• “Religion and Animals: A Changing Scene.” Deborah J. Salem and Andrew N. Rowan (eds.). State of the Animals II. Humane Society Press. (2003): 85-98.
• “When a pet dies: Religious issues, euthanasia and strategies for coping with bereavement” by Helen Davis, Peter Irwin, Michelle Richardson and Angela O’Brien-Malone. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals. Vol. 16, No. 1 (2003): 57-74.
• “Shambles over Shambo; Sacred bull wins few extra hours in chaotic scenes” by Tony Bonnici. The Express (U.K.), July 27, 2007.
• “Thai temples overrun with abandoned pets.” The Evening Standard (London), March 26, 2008.
• “Churches paws Sunday for blessing of the animals” by Brendan Brosh. Daily News (New York), Oct. 3, 2008.
• “LAMBS members look after pets, their owners” by Elizabeth A. Pooley. Knoxville News Sentinel, July 4, 2009.
• ‘Do pets go to heaven? It depends on your religion. Faithful pets might deserve heaven; some think they get in” by Helen T. Gray. Kansas City Star, July 4, 2009.
• “Mennonite Farmer Sues Claiming Animal ID System Infringes His Religious Beliefs” by Howard Friedman. Religion Clause, June 22, 2007.
• Clearfield, Wallace B. “Stewardship, Spirituality and Natural Resources Conservation: A Short History.” 2007 technical report from the National Resources Conservation Service in Washington.

• A Communion of Subjects: Animals in Religion, Science, and Ethics. Paul Waldau and Kimberley Patton (eds.). Columbia University Press, 2006.
• The Tao of Bow Wow: Understanding and Training Your Dog the Taoist Way. Deborah Wood. Dell, 1998.
• Every Living Thing: Daily Use of Animals in Ancient Israel. Oded Borowski. Altamira Press, 1997.
• Yuki, Temple Dog: How a California Pound Dog Became Guardian of a Japanese Buddhist Temple. Yuki. Buddhist Books Intl., 1997.
• Animal Ethics in Context. Claire Palmer. Columbia University Press, 2010.
• Applied Animal Ethics. Leland Shapiro. Cengage Learning, 1999.
• Veterinary ethics: an introduction. Giles Legood (ed.). Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000.
• The Ethics of Animal Experimentation: A Critical Analysis and Constructive Christian Proposal. Donna Yarri. American Academy of Religion, 2005.
• The Specter of Speciesism: Buddhist and Christian Views of Animals. Paul Waldau. Oxford University Press, 2001.

• Croney, C.C. and R. Anthony. “Engaging science in a climate of values: Tools for animal scientists tasked with addressing ethical problems.” Journal of Animal Science. Vol. 88, No. 13 (Apr. 2010).
• Using healthy cats for renal transplant procedures: a Case Study Scenario(.doc). The Higher Education Academy, UK, 2003.

• American Veterinary Medical Association — Principles

• Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals
• Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature & Culture
• Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature
• Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science

• Veterinarian Follows Religious Beliefs to Honduras (NPR)
• Religion & Ethics – Animals as Pets (BBC)
• Veterinary Medical Ethics
• Veterinary Students as One In Culture and Ethnicity
• Religion and pet cremation
• “Chaplain initiates pet grief therapy” by Richard Weismeyer. Today News. Loma Lind University, Dec. 17, 2007.
• Pet Chaplain – Multicultural Multifaith Pastoral Care Service by Laura Leslie (NPR).
• Animals and Religion (The Humane Society of the United States)
• Animals and Religion: A Guide to Issues, Organizations and Experts (ReligionLink)

• Christian Veterinary Mission
• Fellowship of Christian Farmers International

• Dickinson, George E.; Paul D. Roof and Karin W. Roof. “End-Of-Life Issues in United States Veterinary Schools.” Society and Animals. Vol. 18, No. 2 (2010): 152-62.
• Rollin, Bernard E. “Euthanasia, Moral Stress, and Chronic Illness in Veterinary Medicine.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. Vol. 41, No. 3 (May 2011): 651-9.

• Religion and Animals(.pdf). Paul Waldau, Tufts University.
• Concepts in Animal Welfare(.pdf). Jasmijn de Boo and Andrew Knight, University of Toronto.