Abstract
Simple SummaryWhile the overall trend in euthanasia has been decreasing nationally, large dogs are at a higher risk of euthanasia than other-sized dogs in most animal shelters in the United States. We hypothesized that one way to increase the lives saved with regard to large dogs in shelters is to keep them home in the first place when possible. Our research is the first to collect data in New York City and Washington, D.C., identifying the process leading to the owner relinquishment of large dogs. We found that targets for interventions to decrease large dog relinquishment are likely different in each community. While the overall trend in euthanasia has been decreasing nationally, large dogs are at a higher risk of euthanasia than other sized dogs in most animal shelters in the United States. We hypothesized one way to increase the lives saved with respect to these large dogs is to keep them home when possible. In order to develop solutions to decrease relinquishment, a survey was developed to learn more about the reasons owners relinquish large dogs. The survey was administered to owners relinquishing their dogs at two large municipal facilities, one in New York City and one in Washington, D.C. There were 157 responses between the two facilities. We found both significant similarities and differences between respondents and their dogs from the two cities. We identified opportunities to potentially support future relinquishers and found that targets for interventions are likely different in each community.
Highlights
Millions of dogs enter the shelter system each year, and in many cases, over half of those dogs are relinquished by their owner [1]
The ultimate intention was to develop a sufficient understanding of the relinquishment of large dogs for which interventions can be developed in these two communities to decrease the numbers of large dogs relinquished to shelters
This research examined factors associated with the relinquishment of large dogs to two large animal welfare agencies in two urban communities
Summary
Millions of dogs enter the shelter system each year, and in many cases, over half of those dogs are relinquished by their owner [1]. Most of these studies were conducted in the 1990s and early 2000s, and none evaluated whether the size of dog influenced the reasons for relinquishment In those studies, the characteristics of the dogs associated with a higher risk of relinquishment included being of mixed breeding [6], older than five months [6,7] and reproductively intact [6,7,8]. The characteristics of the dogs associated with a higher risk of relinquishment included being of mixed breeding [6], older than five months [6,7] and reproductively intact [6,7,8] These dogs were more likely to be acquired at low or no cost and to have been acquired from friends, shelters, pet shops or had been a stray [7]. The ultimate intention was to develop a sufficient understanding of the relinquishment of large dogs for which interventions can be developed in these two (and possibly other) communities to decrease the numbers of large dogs relinquished to shelters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
