Laterality is defined as asymmetries in function or structure in seemingly bilateral structures. In parrots, it can be expressed for various behaviors, for example, the preference for using the monocular visual field of a specific eye or a specific foot for feeding, also known as footedness. The aim of this study was to check for laterality in three Psittacine species and examine its relationship with aspects of their temperament and sociability. We analyzed birds of the following species: Psittacara leucophtalmus (n=15) , Primolius maraca (n=12) , Pionius maximiliani (n=23) . To evaluate laterality, we used the following indicators: footedness, unipedal support while resting, and eye preferences through the monocular visual field during the tests of pebble and seed, novel object, and reaction to person. The pebble and seed test evaluate cognitive capacities and foraging skills of birds by encouraging them to discriminate seeds and pebbles of similar size and color. The temperament was evaluated according to the birds’ individual responses to novel objects and reaction to person tests. Laterality indexes (LI) were calculated based on the frequency of use of each foot and eye, using the equation LI= (L-R)/(L+R), where L represent the left side use and R represents the right. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationships between laterality and the behavioral aspects investigated (temperament and social behavior). The results indicated the presence of laterality in the three bird species, highlighting the right eye preference and no predominant direction was found for footedness and unipedal support. Significant correlations between eye preference and the four temperament dimensions (activity, boldness, anxiety and proximity to humans) were found. Higher activity was related to greater ocular LI and LI in the pebble and seed test towards the right. Bolder and more anxious birds had lower LI in the human reaction test, thus right eye preferences. Avoidance to humans was related to lower LI in the novel object test, therefore, right eye preferences. No significant correlations were found between laterality and positive or negative social interactions. Our study contributes to the scientific literature by identifying laterality in neotropical species, a topic for which data remain limited. Additionally, it is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between temperament and laterality in psittacids, which could be explained by underlying connections between emotionality and cognition, as observed in other animal species. These hypotheses warrant further investigation in future research. • Laterality and its connections with temperament were investigated in Neotropical • Psittacids. • Laterality was assessed by analyzing foot and eye preferences and unipedal support. • Temperament dimensions were activity, boldness, anxiety, neophilia, and human proximity. • Right eye preference was related to boldness, anxiety, and avoidance to humans. • Laterality can guide more individualized welfare strategies for captive animals.

When hoping to improve their dogs’ behavior, owners often turn to basic obedience/manners courses. Scentwork classes, where dogs use their noses to find treats and odors, could be a potential alternative to these classes, because scentwork-based classes allow dogs to engage in the natural behavior of sniffing. The goal of this experimental study was to determine whether scentwork classes have a more positive impact on dog welfare, behavior, and the human-dog bond than basic obedience classes. Dogs and owners were randomly assigned to four-week long obedience or scentwork classes. Owners completed the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), and dogs participated in a judgment bias test before and after their assigned class. There were no significant differences between the groups in C-BARQ or MDORS scores on any scales nor was there a significant difference on the judgment bias test by group. Owners in the total sample and in the Obedience group reported a significant increase in trainability for their dogs, as measured by C-BARQ, from pre- to post-measures whereas owners in the Scentwork group reported a significant increase in C-BARQ hyperactivity for their dogs. Judgment bias test scores improved significantly for the total sample and the Obedience group. There was a significant association between training class and the owners’ perception of their dogs’ quality of life such that owners with dogs in the scentwork classes reported their dogs’ quality of life had improved. These findings suggest that positive training in general might increase positive judgement bias and thus the welfare of dogs, although obedience classes might have more general improvements for training. Although more research is needed to further explore specific potential benefits of scentwork training, the results of this study suggest that dogs participating in scentwork classes are likely to enjoy similar benefits as dogs in other positive reinforcement group courses, giving owners more options for classes based on their individual dogs’ needs and interests. • This study measures change for dogs that took scentwork or obedience • Total sample improved in judgment bias • Dogs who took training improved in obedience and hyperactivity increased for dogs in scentwork • Positive reinforcement training seems to be beneficial for pet dogs • Different courses have different benefits

Given that there were approximately 4 million cats in shelters across 20 countries in 2024, there is a critical need to have accurate, reliable, non-invasive tools to evaluate shelter cat stress and welfare. This study was conducted to validate the newly developed Psychological Quality of Life (PQOL) assessment tool to evaluate welfare in cats newly admitted to an animal shelter. The PQOL is an 11-question assessment of a cat’s behavior, attitude, and activity. The PQOL was compared to the Cat Stress Score (CSS), a widely used non-invasive assessment tool used to determine stress levels in shelter cats. Fifty cats from a local shelter were assessed with both the PQOL and CSS by two independent observers at two time points on their second, fourth, and sixth day in the shelter. A Spearman rank correlation evaluated the relationship between the overall PQOL and CSS scores and between the overall PQOL and select individual PQOL questions. The inter-rater reliability (IRR) and intra-rater reliability (IaRR) for the overall PQOL, CSS and individual PQOL questions were measured with a quadratic weighted Cohen’s kappa. There was a strong, positive correlation (0.73-0.79) between the CSS and overall PQOL for all three assessment days. The kappa for the CSS and overall PQOL had substantial agreement (0.58-0.75) between reviewers for all three assessment days at both time points indicating good reliability. Individual PQOL questions about interest in play, engagement with others, exploration, and showing positive emotions had a strong correlation with high overall PQOL for both time points across all three assessment days. The PQOL question about showing fear or anxiety had a strong correlation with a low overall PQOL score. The overall PQOL score was shown to be a valid and reliable metric to monitor stress and welfare in shelter cats. • There was a strong, positive correlation between the CSS and overall PQOL scores • The CSS and overall PQOL scores had substantial agreement between two reviewers • Positive emotions had a strong correlation with a high overall PQOL score • Negative emotions had a strong correlation with a low overall PQOL score