Abstract
Simple SummaryMany stray animals presented to shelters in several first world nations have incorrect contact details associated with their microchip and, consequently, cannot be reunited with their owners. This study investigated whether sending email reminders increased the frequency that pet owners updated their contact details on an Australian microchip database, and characterized the cat and dog population on this database. Email reminders were found to be effective at increasing the frequency that pet owners updated their contact details; frequency of updates also varied according to species, pet age, state or territory and socioeconomic differences. The information gained from this study can be used to increase owner compliance in keeping pet microchip contact details up to date, and therefore increase reclaim percentages of stray animals.Stray animals with incorrect microchip details are less likely to be reclaimed, and unclaimed strays are at increased risk of euthanasia. A retrospective cohort study was performed using 394,747 cats and 904,909 dogs registered with Australia’s largest microchip database to describe animal characteristics, determine whether annual email reminders increased the frequency that owners updated their information, and to compare frequencies of microchip information updates according to pet and owner characteristics. More than twice as many dogs (70%) than cats (30%) were registered on the database; the most numerous pure-breeds were Ragdoll cats and Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs, and the number of registered animals per capita varied by Australian state or territory. Owners were more likely (p < 0.001) to update their details soon after they were sent a reminder email, compared to immediately before that email, and there were significant (p < 0.001) differences in the frequency of owner updates by state or territory of residence, animal species, animal age, and socioeconomic index of the owner’s postcode. This research demonstrates that email reminders increase the probability of owners updating their details on the microchip database, and this could reduce the percentages of stray animals that are unclaimed and subsequently euthanized.
Highlights
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership worldwide, with an estimated 3.3 million cats and 4.2 million dogs belonging to 63% of Australian households [1]
In 2015–2016, 45,256 dogs and 55,570 cats were presented to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Australia [4], an estimated 6.5 million cats and dogs were received by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in the United States (US) [2], and the RSPCA United Kingdom (UK)
Strays admitted via the general public and municipal contracts accounted for approximately 60% of all dog and cat admissions to RSPCA shelters in Australia [5,6], 26% of dogs and 42% of cats admitted to UK animal rescue organizations during 2010 [7], approximately
Summary
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership worldwide, with an estimated 3.3 million cats and 4.2 million dogs belonging to 63% of Australian households [1]. In the United States (US), 44% of households own a cat or dog [2], and approximately 50% of United Kingdom (UK) households have a cat or dog [3] Such high pet ownership rates in Western countries are associated with. Strays admitted via the general public and municipal contracts accounted for approximately 60% of all dog and cat admissions to RSPCA shelters in Australia [5,6], 26% of dogs and 42% of cats admitted to UK animal rescue organizations during 2010 [7], approximately. 48% of all admitted dogs from Australian municipal councils, animal welfare organizations and rescue groups were reclaimed and 21% were euthanized (40% of unclaimed dogs) in the 2012–2013 financial year [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
