This volume has been published from a workshop held by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), which brought together researchers and potential researchers from differing technical backgrounds. It should be remembered that not all research is carried out in Universities or Research Institutes where experience and support exists for the aspiring worker. In some cases - and this is especially true in companion animal studies - prospective investigators, coming from non-scientific or perhaps clinical or professional backgrounds, discover an issue that clearly needs to be researched and wish to pursue this research themselves.