"Humans and animals live together on earth, but as we increasingly reshape ecosystems to accommodate larger populations, technology, and increased consumption, animals are greatly affected. The history of civilization shows that humans have used animals for food, clothing, transportation, making a living, and even companionship, as well as subjects for the arts, literature, and within religious beliefs. Renowned animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff and 300 experts from around the globe provide more than 350 essays that discuss such topics as animals and ecology; animals and global warming; animals as food; animals as pets; animals and diseases; animals in research and in education; animals providing assistance; and the influence of animals in art, religion and philosophy, literature, music, dance, and entertainment. Students and all those wanting a better understanding of the reciprocal connections and interdependence of organisms on the planet will benefit from this fascinating and instructive reference work.

Just some of the hundreds of topics covered include : Animal welfare ; Animals--including dogs and cats--as food ; Archaeology and anthropology and animals ; Art and animals ; Biomimicry--imitating animals--in engineering and architectural designs ; Birdsong and human speech ; Children and animals ; China and changing attitudes toward animals ; Communication among animals and humans ; Companion animals and the importance of pets ; Conservation medicine, linking human and animal health to the environment ; Disaster assistance and animals ; Diseases (avian flu, hantavirus, AIDS, and others) in animals and humans Domestication of animals ; Ecotourism ; Education and animals ; Elephant and human conflict ; Environmental change and animals ; Factory farming ; Hunting of and by animals ; India and animals ; Insects and humans ; Language research in Great Apes ; Law and animals ; Literature and animals Movies and performing arts and animals ; Native Americans and animals ; Rehabilitation of animals ; Religion--Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and others--and animals ; Research using animals ; Sports and animals ; Urban wildlife ; Veterinary science ; Witchcraft and animals ; Wolves and humans ; Zoos.

Among the animals discussed are dogs, cats, rabbits, mice and rats, dolphins, foxes, bees, fish, bats, elephants, penguins, bears, cows, pigs, horses, hyenas, prairie dogs, pikas, monkeys, whales, reptiles, snakes, ravens, worms, and more."--Pub. desc.