FROM CONFINEMENT OF ZOOS TO HUMANIZATION OF COMPANION ANIMALS: THE SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF ANIMAL VULNERABILITIES IN CITIES

Abstract

Most city residents find in zoos and companion animals the opportunity for real contact with nature
yet generating vulnerabilities. The objective was to characterize the social representation of the
vulnerability of captive animals in zoos and the humanization of companion animals, accessed
through 366 participations in an online questionnaire. Data analysis indicated that representation ismediated by an ethical conflict, in which limitations are perceived, however, supported by justifications
that legitimize them. The vulnerabilities identified in zoos would be pronounced as the humanization
of pets, however, in both, the acceptance related to conditioning and mitigating factors prevailed.
These should be part of urban management and humanitarian education guidelines in order to
mitigate the vulnerabilities imposed on animals as well as on citizens.