Trap, neuter and return (TNR) is widely recognized as the most humane method of controlling and managing feral cat populations. This training video, made by the US non-profit organization Alley Cat Allies, details the rationale behind TNR and shows a TNR programme being implemented. Most of the points the video seeks to make are put very clearly, and reinforced by on-screen text and relevant footage. The video is primarily aimed at those seeking advice on how to set up and run a TNR programme, and details best practice in a step-by-step manner. Whilst some may have minor quibbles with aspects of the video, eg the promotion of remote box traps over the more selective (but time consuming) manually triggered trap, most would agree that it gives sound and sensible advice. One noticeable omission is that the video comes without supporting notes: however, this information can easily be accessed by anyone able to visit the Alley Cat Allies website (http://www.alleycat.org), which contains factual information on all aspects of feral cat management, including rabies control, zoonotic diseases, prédation, and guidelines for veterinarians.

Russell and Burch's ‘3Rs’ principles of humane experimental technique - replacement, reduction and refinement - have been accepted widely throughout the world. Researchers generally recognize the need for a thorough search for, and wherever possible use of, alternatives to using live animals. Evidence that such searches have been undertaken is expected by ethical committees responsible for judging applications for research, and is required by law in the UK and some other countries. As written in the UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, ‘the Secretary of State shall not grant a licence unless he is satisfied (a) that the purpose of the programme to be specified in the licence cannot be achieved by any other reasonably practical method not entailing the use of animals … ‘. There have been developments in many fields of science in finding alternatives to the use of animals and a great deal ofinformation has been published on the subject. However, this information is scattered widely in the scientific literature and because of this, and the relative scarcity of good reviews, searching for information on alternatives in particular fields can be difficult. The world wide web now provides the potential for obtaining information on almost any subject very rapidly but the value of this remarkable resource is, as all of us have come to discover, limited by the capacities of the available machinery for searching and finding. The ‘web’ is like a colossal encyclopaedia with entries of very variable quality and a misleading and fragmentary index. Considerable efforts are being made by a variety of organisations to develop improved methods for extracting reliable and complete information on 3Rs alternatives and this book published by FRAME (see below) is a very useful review.

The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland is the umbrella organization for zoos in the British Isles and almost all of the larger zoos are members. The Federation helps to define and set standards for its member zoos, and membership of the organization carries certain obligations. The most recent of the Federation's policy documents sets out obligations and recommendations for its membership regarding animal transactions. These are set out under the headings Animal Acquisitions, Disposal of Surplus Animals and Use of Animal Dealers in Animal Transactions. The booklet includes five appendices and these cover: minimizing the production of surplus animals; useful references; guidelines for EEP coordinators (persons managing species breeding programmes in Europe); the current European Association of Zoos and Aquaria recommended code of practice on screening for infectious diseases when animals are moved between zoos; and a pro forma that must be used to record all pertinent information when animals are transferred between collections.

With the correct equipment and technique, shooting is a quick and humane method of despatch and it has particular application in the humane destruction of casualty animals. This booklet published by the Humane Slaughter Association describes the principles and practice of using free-bullet firearms for the humane killing of large farm animals. It provides a very valuable source of information for veterinarians, slaughtermen, police firearms officers, and others who may be directly or indirectly involved in humane killing of livestock. After sections on anatomical considerations, physical principles (eg the calculation of muzzle energy) and the physiological effects of shooting including clear information on the signs of an effective shot, brief reviews are provided on types of firearm and ammunition with guidance as to their suitability for various purposes. There are then four pages describing the correct shooting positions (location and angle of entry) for humane despatch of cattle, deer, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. These are clearly illustrated, using photographs of midline sections through heads, to show the position and size of the brain in relation to external features. The booklet also contains information on the selection of appropriate firearms and ammunition, safety aspects, carcase disposal and routine maintenance of equipment. It is written clearly and concisely in handbook style and is well illustrated. With the exception of the information on legislation (which deals specifically with UK law), the subjects covered are relevant to humane despatch of livestock anywhere in the world and the booklet is highly recommended for all who may be involved in this work.

Control of stray and feral domestic dog populations is a problem in many parts of the world. These animals can be a threat to human health and a threat to wild animals, and their own welfare is often a matter of concern. The World Society for the Protection of Animals’ (WSPA's) new booklet on stray dog control provides a compendium of information on various aspects of the subject. It is intended, so the introduction informs us, as a supplement to the Guidelines for Dog Population Management published jointly in 1990 by the World Health Organisation and WSPA.

The background to the production of this publication - Managing African Elephants - by the Elephants Managers and Owners Association (EMOA) is outlined in the foreword. EMOA was formed in 1994 following recognition at a workshop in South Africa in 1994 of the need for a special organization to deal with the problems that had emerged as a result of translocations of elephants. The objectives of EMO A are listed at the back of the publication and they include: to advise and assist elephant owners on the appropriate management of their elephants; to initiate, promote and monitor research, technology transfer and data management on elephants; and to advise on and promote welfare issues of elephants. EMOA has accumulated a great deal of information on the translocation and care of elephants, much of which derives from experiences translocating animals from the Kruger National Park as part of the population control programme there. This information has been assembled into this publication which is directed at ‘buyers, sellers, managers and owners of elephants’.

In September 1998, the UK Government launched the Strategy for the Protection of Animal Welfare at Livestock Markets This report details the findings of a series of market inspections by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) to assess the extent of compliance with the current legislation and codes of practice. Carried out in the late autumn and early winter of 1998, almost all livestock markets in Great Britain were visited (484 inspection reports covering 204 markets). Table 1, taken from the report, gives a breakdown of the animals present at inspection.