Abstract
Simple SummaryIn Italy, dog shelters are overcrowded because the rate of dog adoption is lower than that of abandonment. A project called “RandAgiamo” was implemented in a rescue shelter in central Italy. RandAgiamo provides training, socialization and advertising of adult shelter dogs. Official data of the Umbria regional health authorities from the year 2014 showed a higher rate of adoption in shelters involved in the project. RandAgiamo dogs had triple odds of being adopted compared to others housed in shelters of the same province. The increase in adoption rate can be beneficial for both dog welfare and shelter management.Current Italian legislation does not permit euthanasia of dogs, unless they are ill or dangerous. Despite good intentions and ethical benefits, this “no-kill policy” has caused a progressive overpopulation of dogs in shelters, due to abandonment rates being higher than adoption rates. Shelter overcrowding has negative implications for dog welfare and increases public costs. The aim of this paper is to describe the pilot project “RandAgiamo” implemented in a rescue shelter in the Umbria Region and to evaluate its effectiveness on the rate of dog adoption using official data. RandAgiamo aimed to increase adult shelter dogs’ adoptability by a standard training and socialization programme. It also promoted dogs’ visibility by publicizing them through social media and participation in events. We analysed the official data of the Umbria regional health authorities regarding dog shelters of the Perugia province of the year 2014. In the RandAgiamo shelter, the dog adoption rate was 27.5% higher than that of dogs housed in other shelters located in the same geographical area (p < 0.001). The RandAgiamo project could be beneficial for the dogs’ welfare, owner satisfaction, shelter management, and public perception of shelter dogs. However, staff were required to provide dog training and related activities.
Highlights
It is recognised that dogs living in shelters are mostly the outcome of a break of the human–animal bond [1]
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of the RandAgiamo project on shelter dogs’ adoption rates by using official data of the Umbria regional health authorities collected in 2014
The adoption rate of the RandAgiamo shelter was significantly higher than all other shelters (53.9% vs. 28.9%; χ2 = 91.48; p < 0.001; V = 0.193; p < 0.001)
Summary
It is recognised that dogs living in shelters are mostly the outcome of a break of the human–animal bond [1]. The fate of abandoned dogs completely changed: if not claimed by their owners within three days of being captured by authorities, they could no longer be euthanized, instead dogs have to be housed in adequate shelters until adopted. For some dogs this means living in a confined space for the duration of their lives. Countries such as Austria have similar provisions, while in many others, such as USA and Australia, euthanasia is still a routine practice to control overpopulation.
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