Profile Summary

The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) was established in 1979 to promote the study of human-companion animal interactions and raise awareness of the importance of pets in society.

SCAS is the leading human-companion animal bond organisation in the UK.

Over the past thirty years SCAS has established itself as the leading human-companion animal bond organisation in the UK.

SCAS work focuses on four key areas:

Information exchange: We produce a range of human-companion animal bond publications, maintain a reference library of research findings for our members, host an annual conference, and provide expert opinion on the bond to encourage positive pet policy and practice.

Education and training: SCAS delivers training to health, social care and veterinary professionals, in animal-assisted interventions, the human-companion animal bond and pet loss.

Research: We carry out our own research into the effects of pet ownership and interaction on different groups in society – for example, pets and older people. We also offer a research scholarship.

Helping vulnerable groups in society: In recent years, our work has focused on areas such as:

*encouraging sheltered housing and residential care homes for older people to adopt pro-pets policies; our Pets for Life campaign is ongoing
*highlighting the benefits of pets for children's health and education
*advising on animal-assisted therapy programmes and training
*supporting people who have lost a much-loved pet