Renée D'Souza joined our research team in September 2016. Renée received her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation, University of Guelph in 2015 and spends her free time volunteering with animal rescue and welfare organizations. Driven by a passion for conservation and animal welfare, Renée Masters work focuses on the lives of dogs working for conservation in Canada.
Conservation canines have received attention in scholarly literature regarding their utility for biologists and ecologists in the field. Yet little research has focused on their circumstances and experiences in these roles. With guidance from Dr. Lee Neil at the University of Guelph, Renée explores the welfare of dogs working for conservation in various provinces across Canada through observational assessments, interviews with program managers, and surveys completed by dog handlers.
Renée brings to light an understudied topic in scholarly literature, and highlights the potential for conservation canine roles to lead to humane job creation – jobs that are good for animals, people, and the environment.
Publication:
D’Souza, Renée, Alice Hovorka and Lee Niel. 2019. ‘Conservation canines: exploring dog roles, circumstances & welfare status. In C Blattner, K Coulter, and W Kymlicka, eds. Animal Labour. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press.
Presentation:
D'Souza, Renée and Alice J. Hovorka. 2018. Conservation Canines: Roles, Welfare and Environmental Impacts. Invited speakers at the Animal Labour Workshop, Queen's University, Kingston.
D’Souza, Renée (presenter) and Alice J. Hovorka. 2017. Conservation Canines in Canada: Roles, Welfare, and Environmental Impacts. Poster presented at the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare Annual Research Symposium, Guelph, Ontario. May 2017. Third place winner.
